Your line of thinking is very valid and I've often engaged in conversations with others with a similar line of thinking. After all what's the point of objective based play if you are not part of the group aiding in the capture or defend of the the objective?

Where I am coming from in my line of thinking is the aspect of optional team play vs the path of least resistance. It would seem that the design and set up of the SR class and it's weapons promote the long range picking off folks rather than moving with the group.

The issue comes in when you look at time to fire and set up, visibility, and rewarding player experience. I simply contend that the game design for the class, good or bad based on your particular point of view, promotes snipers being some place with open views and killing who that can vs moving along at distance with a team. I've listed some of the reasons I think this in my OP.

While I think the issue is entirely relative to personal game play style and disposition I would venture to say most will find they are more effective at range in open spaces rather than constantly trying to move from spot to spot.

An example of the game play i'm talking about it is the idea that when a sniper sets up he/she communicates to the team enemy movements and what targets are open while also trying to defend at least one capture point or area of enemy traffic. Depending on the flow of the match there may be times when there isn't much action or when it becomes obvious that it would be better to pick a new vantage point. In addition I view the job as counter sniper, when the team calls out they are being pinned down or taking fire from another sniper.

I would also contend that as a sniper your best advantage is the spot that is just beyond the range of the other long range weapons.

I don't mean to imply that it can not be done, I 'm simply saying that the current design and set up of the class favors long distance, high vantage points, and less frequent re-positioning.

The facts on if that's good or bad is really down to personal preference. That's why if the dev team would perhaps shed light on how they envisioned the role operating , it would be helpful in providing feedback in relation to how the role is currently functioning.

CCP has done a good job making it so the snipers far and away from the battlefield don't have the ability to contribute as much to the fight as a sniper who is closer.

That said, I've found the role to be most helpful in these ways:

1) Intel. Nobody but a dropship can gather intelligence on enemy movement like a sniper. But the sniper is at least safer, and the sniper can also gather the intel faster.
2) Squad Support. In this game, being sniper isn't about getting a high kill/death ratio and only taking really opportune shots. You're not helping your squad that way. When your squad engages the enemy, you need to be taking shots on the targets, whether they're lined up headshots or not. That extra damage that the enemy can't prepare for or block can EASILY tip the scales in favor of your squadmates.
3) Tactical denial. There are usually several safe positions that give a sniper an eagle eye on at least one objective terminal. If the team knows that the Sniper has eyes on this target and can snipe off any enemy trying to hack it, they can save their remote explosives and manpower at guarding other locations. This is a huge factor while defending, as the single sniper becomes a tremendous force multiplier. Remember he can still support his squad from afar after defending the objective.
4) Anti-Sniper. Nobody can kill a sniper quite like, well, another sniper. Most snipers are used to being able to sit in one area and camp away. But if you can drive them off and keep mobile, you'll save your squadmates a lot of headache when they try to cross from objective to objective.

That aside, I feel there is no issue with red line sniping or MCC sniping. These types typically stay in the same place, and return to the same place, making them easy kills for anyone with a sniper rifle and 10 seconds to spare.

In addition to your fine points, I think additional rewards being granted for assistance kills would help the sniper class a great deal since in reality many times the sniper supports a team by delivering an Alpha strike that makes the close range team have an easy target as others have pointed out.

I personally don't worry about KD as much as I worry about effective contribution to the team game play. As a sniper I know that it's not optimal for me to really be running up on points to capture or mixing it up with a scrambler rifle. I feel I'm far more effective in the combat over watch role, the anti sniper, or area of access guardian role.

I would still contend however there is a place for some sort of covert, stealth or cloak mechanic that would change the style of sniper play. In addition I find it somewhat frustrating that there isn't an effective target call out system, or target painting mechanic. Being able to only mark one target at a time seem a little limiting.

Once a team member spots a sniper or a group of combatants that he/she would like the sniper to help with, they have no real recourse to mark a target or area unless they are squad lead