imho sniping is almost useless, I almost never die to snipers. my shields always take the first hit fully, I just take cover for few seconds (and map design is full of cover everywhere) and then move on with full hp. more snipers in the enemy team equals less bodies on the field with real firepower and the ability to take objectives and fight off other players/tanks. I also should not mention that a single sniper in your team can take them out alone without even getting noticed, because all those other snipers are too busy to shoot at those people going for objectives...

I only go for snipers when he uses a thale to collect hatemails otherwise I ignore them because they equal an easier win.

This is partially correct

They're a nuisance that offer no real benefits to the game.

1) They make what is a scattered match even more scattered. Oh gee, let's let people sit half way across the maps and take pot shots at each other! That'll surely make the battles feel engaging! The maps are massive enough as it is. Allowing people to take themselves completely out of the battle while still picking off anyone else actually in a battle seems pointless.

2) The only real counter to a sniper is another sniper. No other class has its major counter its own class.

If you can offer any benefits that can outweigh these two glaring disadvantages, I'd like to hear them. Otherwise they are quite pointless, and the game as a whole would be better off without them.