Hmm. Interesting post Jath, sorry to see you fall from our ranks
I agree, probably less emphatically, that the role has been diminished in uprising. I've just put quite a few skill points into the sniper skills again this build, and I'm finding myself very ambivalent about it at the moment. Here are a number of the changes I've noticed initially:
1. Maps have changed for the worse. Where are the overwatch positions? I don't feel like I can take good advantage of my range anymore, limited as it is compared to chromosome. Also, finding I have trouble rendering players past a certain range?
2. Hit boxes on players seem smaller. Shooting the "gimme" shots that I made 9/10 times in chromosome, and hitting maybe 1/15 in uprising. This is especially relevant trying to shoot people who are sprinting in straight lines. Can't seem to hit them at all, where these shots were very easy in chromosome. I'm unsure at this stage whether it is just be a case of getting used to it, or a functional bug.
3. Increased sway after ADS. This is probably one of the biggest changes that I've noticed, even with SR Operation 5. Definitely something that I'll need to get used to, but this is definitely making quick shots after ADSing a lot harder.
4. While there has been a general increase in FPS (for the very much better), I've noticed that when ADSing at range, players seem to get "choppy" and have a teleporting type effect, which seems vastly different to any lag related movement issues in chromosome. It doesn't feel as though it's latency related, and is quite frustrating.
5. Damage. This doesn't seem to be a massive difference, but it is noticeable. Obviously just the effect of losing the passive weaponry buff, but is something I can live with. However, is much more noticeable with the decrease in SP requirement to skill into prototype suits (basic). Stop running protos you bastards!
6. Haven't had a head glitching issue yet.
This makes me happy beyond words.
7. Aiming sensitivity - very uncomfortable at the moment. Probably just an issue of me getting used to it. To those who think that it feels the same or easier: what sensitivity settings are you using?
These are just initial observations, but I feel like it's obvious that a number of factors have indirectly limited the effectiveness of snipers quite a bit. This is obviously very frustrating, but I will reassess how i feel about the aiming and hit changes in a couple of weeks to see if I can get used to it.