I don't like the idea of limiting weapons to certain advanced fits. And very advanced weapons in the hands of a specialist might very well become OP. People will always find a way to exploit it. That's why every weapon should be balanced. That's why I proposed a more powerful sniper rifle, but without the opportunity of follow-up shots and added sway.

Light could then have two varients: scout and sniper

I'm annoyed that it is relatively hard to kill by far most mercs with a sniper rifle. This makes it hard for a single sniper to kill his target, as it can take up to 8 consecutive hits, 2 reloads and 16 seconds with a proto sniper rifle to down a heavy.

I understand that CCP doesn't want snipers to be overpowered, so I'd like to see the following sniper rifle somewhere down the road:

- proto level
- more sway
- more zoom
- just one bullet
- But if you manage to hit someone, you'll be pretty sure that he's dead!

And while I'm at it, a breathing mechanic would be great for all snipers, to distinguish the good from the bad.

And while I'm at it, a breathing mechanic would be great for all snipers, to distinguish the good from the bad.

There's an upcoming heavy weapon that will work at mid-long range coming up soon.

(Laser Category)

https://dust514.com/news/blog/2013/07/weapon-ranges-in-uprising-1.2-and-beyond/

The Rail Rifle will probably be the next best alternative to the sniper rifle when it comes out. I advise saving your SP so you can go rail, when it comes out.
Check CCP Remnant's description of the rail rifle at the bottom.

The sniper rifle as it currently works is a broken weapon. You can skill into scramblers now and have a decent weapon to use at mid-long range, or you can bite the bullet until the Rails come out.

But don't expect CCP to give ANY attention to the sniper rifle, at all.... ANYTIME soon.
The new map design theory is completely geared against them. It's broken.

We dont need a more powerful sniper rifle. Two HEADSHOTS takes out most anyone.
If you cant get two headshots, switch to using TAC variant.

The first headshot is not that hard. The second one, with someone bunny-hopping, strafing and dashing for cover is extremely hard. That's why a tactical sniper rifle shines when it comes to support and assaults in a squad.

Besides, how many FPSs do you know where an ordinary grunt survives 2 headshots?

Edit:
And honestly, it's difficult to evaluate snipers atm due to
Terrible rendering distance
Terrain "inflating" at distance causing enemies to "sink" into buildings, ground, etc
Poor hit detection

What is this "terrible rendering distance" issue? Do you may be have details turned down in your options, or something?
I dont notice a problem there when sniping @450m.
Yes they're tiny. but I know they're THERE, and I can hit them. So, not a problem in my book :)

skew of targets vs environment is a problem. didnt realize that is a "thing". Hadnt noticed too much, other than that one terrain glitch on top of the tower with the pointy bit in the middle.

You seem to imply travelling "with" a squad. In that situation, sniper rifle is the wrong tool for the job.
The right tool there is either AR, or scrambler rifle. Complaining "A sniper rifle doesnt suit my game style while shooting from 50-150m" is kinda like complaining "my LAV doesnt suit my style of trying to shoot down tanks".
Use the right tool for the job.

Yeah, you "can" use a sniper rifle in that sort of thing, but dont expect any sympathy that it isnt designed for the job.

THAT, I have problems with. But you didnt complain about that in your post, you only whined for "MOAR POWAH!!" in general.

Also, for the record, I have never seen an "ordinary" grunt survive two headshots from a sniper rifle. Only heavies, and very very buffed up medium suits/logis
Although I suppose I should mention that I usually use the "210+ hp damage" sniper rifles, not the tac ones.Without any damage mods, btw.

After around 500m, mercs are not rendered. Occasionally a vehicle will be but not always.

After some distance (perhaps 250-ish?), buildings switch to a low res model that is larger than the higher res model and physics model, meaning targets running by a building will be "inside" the building and targets running on platform-like areas will be buried (often to where only their heads show).

How have you never noticed this?

I don't like:
More sway
Breathing mechanic

I approve of:
More zoom
Higher damage for sniper rifles
Limiting sniper rifles to light sniper suit

...
That's EXACTLY the point I'm trying to make. By itself, the tactical sniper rifle is to weak to kill enemies without headshots.

The headshot damage was nerfed during 1.4, losing 25% of its additional damage.
...
The fact that medium suits can survive 2 headshots of a proto rifle, should be enough.

Then use a different one, if you want to "kill enemies". Again, "right tool for the right job". If you want "da big boom", you obviously should be using a charged.

That's what I do most of the time, but with the Charge you lose zoom. And getting a headshot is much harder.

So let's do the math for a Charge: a guaranteed kill needs 5 fully charged shots, which takes 12 seconds, provided the enemy doesn't move.

But gee, wasnt that *exactly* what you were asking before, previously?
"[give me more power, just make it harder to hit the enemy...]"

I like math. Let's indeed "do the math". Please show your work, as they say in math class.

PS: what's the current headshot bonus factor?

The current factor I've heard is 1.75, but that wasn't confirmed by a Dev. I'll get back to you on the math - already trashed my notes. And I didn't factor in damage modifiers for armor vs shield either, as I don't know the build with a maximum of 1,591 eHP.

1500 hp is a walking LAV. (or low-flying dropship, lol?) At that point, the problem isnt sniper rifles. The problem is OP shielding.

'cause if a sniper rifle could take out a dropsuit with that much HP in one hit, I would expect it to also be able to take out LAVs.
Which isnt reasonable.

1500 hp is a walking LAV. (or low-flying dropship, lol?)


At that point, the problem isnt sniper rifles. The problem is OP shielding.

'cause if a sniper rifle could take out a dropsuit with that much HP in one hit, I would expect it to also be able to take out LAVs.
Which isnt reasonable.

I've been one shotted in my proto suit before, from a Militia Snipper Riffle. That being said, I'm a Scout. Meaning that Snippers are OP against Scouts, nerf them!!!

Yes, but scouts need a buff as well. With the current 209 damage of a standard sniper rifle and the 190 eHP of a sniper suit, the sniper rifle vs. the scout seems balanced. The weakest version of the weakest suit in the game shouldn't be able to withstand a sniper bullet. A scout's speed (not enough) and a smaller hitbox (needs to be fixed) would make the scout much harder to hit with a sniper rifle. Or use modules to gain 20 HP more, so you can withstand a hit.