Snipers are hunters, with the one exception – this is a computer game, not real life. Regardless if your hunting deer, rabbits, coyotes, ducks, heavy weapons guys, soldiers, pyros or bear, the principles are the same. In the case of the sniper, its more like hunting bear. Sometimes the hunter gets the bear, and sometimes the bear gets the hunter.

There is one simple plan for playing the sniper, there is a predator and there is a prey. The sniper is the predator. He likes to shoot things, and the easier it is to shoot things the better the game goes. Except for one little thing, the prey in this game shoots back. In real life, whitetail deer do not carry rocket launchers and there is no respawn point.

Lets just move onto the tips:

Movement – Humans are predators, our eyes have been trained for tens of thousands of years to catch the slightest movement. If you are trying to observe the enemy players, crouch and stay still.

Cover – Expose as little of your body as possible. Not only does this provide a smaller target for the enemy, it goes along with out of sight out of mind.

Out of sight, out of mind – If you snipe someone close to respawn, duck back and take cover. When they come out of respawn they will be looking for you. After a few seconds of looking around and they do not see anything, the player assumes that the sniper has moved on.

Do not stay in one spot – Once the sniper has fired off a few rounds from one location, its time to move. Even if its over just a few feet, relocate often. The enemy players are not stupid and they certainly are not dumb (well, maybe some are). Once they have the snipers location, the enemy players will fire a barrage of rockets and bullets in that direction. While in the process of relocating, get out of sight. Try not to move to the new location when enemy players are visible.

Camouflage – Try to pick areas that have shadows and walls that match the color of the snipers clothes.

Quick on the draw – When the enemy player is your sights, pull the trigger. Do not hesitate. People that hunt in real life will sometimes wait until they can get the best shot. That is in real life, this is a computer game. Hesitation is a bad habit to develop. There is no better shot then the one have at that second. Take the shot and move onto your next target.

Advantage points – The best position for a sniper is one where the enemy players can not see you. This includes anything that is higher then the enemy, and above and behind the enemies line of sight. Keep in mind, while the enemy is on the move they rarely look behind them.

Shoot the last one in the line – Lets say that the sniper is good enough to gain an advantage point where the enemy does not see him. He is perched on an advantage point over looking the path the enemy takes. Three enemy players run by, shoot the last one in the line, then shoot the second and finally shoot the one that was in the lead. If the sniper shoots the one in the lead, the other two players will see their buddy taken down. If you shoot the last in line, nobody knows it but the sniper and the one that was shot.

Use an edge for cover – On a roof top – look over the edge, fire, as you reload pull back away from the edge, strafe to the side, move forward so you can see over the edge, fire, move back as you reload, strafe, repeat. This provides the enemy players with a disappearing target that is in a different spot every time they reappear. The same principle is applied to shooting next to a corner.

Learn the habits of your enemy – Humans are creatures of habit. When playing certain maps we will usually take the same routes, and we will try to play the same type of offense and defense that worked in other games. A lot of people will play on the same servers. Playing against the same people all of the time offers a chance to study their playing styles, movements and strategy.

Use distance to your advantage – The sniper has a rifle, and he has a scope, use them to reach out and touch the enemy players. There is no need in getting in the heat of the battle. Leave that to the heavys, soldiers, pyros and demomen. The sniper provides support for front line players. So keep your distance from the enemy.

This is just a partial list. If you have anything you would like to add, post your comments in the team fortress forum.

Tags: how to play the sniper, Sniper, sniper tips, team fortress