Andrea de'Crux
Sanmatar Kelkoons
Minmatar Republic
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Posted - 2013.05.30 10:27:00 -
[1] - Quote
Welcome, one and all, to Sniper 101! This guide will (hopefully) serve as en entry-level sniper training class.
We're going to go over several topics: how to choose your suit, how to find a location in which to set up, and some common errors and misconceptions.
So! Let's get started!
Part One: Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, Spades.
Okay: you've just arrived in your shiny new Mercenary Quarters; you've decided that, hey, you want to be a sniper! Sitting up on the hill, taking careful aim at your target, being the deadly hand that reaches down and snatches life from your enemy....
Before you can do that, though, you need a suit.
As you probably know by now, suits are available in several designs (logistics, assault, scout and heavy). Which one you need depends on what kind of sniper you're going to be.
Logistics suits have room for a bit of everything. This is great for your all-purpose sniper, who needs mobility along with a wide range of equipment. They're not great at any particular task, but they get the job done if you're constantly on the move.
Assault suits are the 'default' suit for the Starter Fits; in general, these are pretty much the 'go-to' suit if you're not certain which one you'll need. No real strengths or weaknesses, useful if you run out of ammo and need to run to the Supply Depot.
Scout suits are the 'bad boys' of the sniper trade. Low scan profile, light armor, and they're ideal with a profile damper module. Particularly suited for stationary snipers. The downside: they generally have less PG/CPU than assault suits, and the lighter armor means you're vulnerable if and when someone locates your position.
Heavy suits: not really recommended for snipers. Heavy armor slows you down, and has a bigger scan profile, so you're going to stand out. Stick with the lighter, faster suits.
Part Two: Lucy, I'm Home!
It's been said so often that it's a cliche: location, location, location. Where you set up will have a big impact on your performance.
Ideally, you want a place from which to shoot without being shot at. A good sniper's nest will have:
1. Cover. You want a place to duck and hide, because counter-snipers will be looking for you.
2. Elevation. You want to be over the battlefield, with a relatively clear view of the ground.
3. Traffic. You're here to shoot things, so you want a target-rich environment.
In selecting a set-up point, remember that getting there is your first task. Swap out that Scrambler Pistol for an SMG, if your suit allows, so you'll have some front-line offensive capability while you run.
Once you're in your nest, you want to divide your time between picking off targets and scanning the surrounding terrain. Most sniper spots in DUST are exposed from at least one angle, so your goal is to take out the counter-snipers before they can do the same to you.
If you are picked off by a counter-sniper, pay attention to where the kill-shot came from --before you go back to your position, see if you can locate the enemy sniper and take him down. if nothing else, you'll keep him moving and prevent him from taking another target.
Part Three: Oops!
Finally, let's take a moment to go over some common errors that many novice snipers make:
1. 'Tunnel-vision' occurs when you become so fixated on your target that you stop paying attention to your surroundings. If this happens, your enemy will probably sneak up behind you.
2. Attacking a tank/LAV/dropship. Just...don't. You don't have the firepower, dude. Aim for the driver or gunner, instead.
3. Same thing with rail-gun and autocannon emplacements. You won't do anything more than chip the paint. Save your ammo, and aim for the gunner.
I hope that this brief overview will help you become more effective on the battlefield; some of it's common sense, but I think much of it bears repeating.
Good luck out there! |