Why does everyone want to be a sniper?
 

Hello, me again. So these past couple of weeks I have been trying to encourage buddies and people I know to become more aware and interested in the Airsoft sport. Many of them that I have spoken to about airsofting are genuinely interested in the Sniping aspect of the game. Yes, my buddies are the same age, so Call of Duty 4 must of etched into there heads, but anyways...

I showed most of them some of the Archives about sniping and how difficult and boring a sniper can be at times. I showed them some comments you guys have posted about it. I even showed them a Airsoft Sniping website I found on goggle. Many of them are still determined to become one when they hit 18. I am a little worried that they would lose interest in the sport...FAST:p

1)Don't you need special permission from the game Host to become a sniper anyways?

2)For those who have used a sniper and a automatic AEG, which one did you prefer in a game?(Woodland scenario for example)

3)Firing an Airsoft sniper is TOTALLY different then what you may seem it may be like. I can't even explain this too them...can someone help?

4)Any personnal experiences with sniping?

Thank you all for your time. I am just trying to encourage others to join the sport aswell. Any good threads/sites greatly appreciated. I think this would be a great thread for those of you purchasing a sniper right off the bat when you hit 18, and may want to think again. Or maybe you would actually enjoy being one?:)

Counter Strike.

everyone thinks its cool to run around by themselves, hiding in a bush.

here's what I think

1) not really special permission, just be known in the community and trusted to use a 400+ fps rifle within safe distances
2) never used a sniper but full auto is ALOT of fun (HI-CAPS!!!!) lol
3) velocities are way different so adjusting for windage etc. would be completely different (just my .02)
4) none

the question why is quite simple

tom berenger

hope that helps

LOL "One Shot. One Kill. No Exceptions. "

I don't know why, but my guess is cause noone likes getting upclose'n'dirty.

My team had some issues with people wanting to be "leet snipers". Not an issue anymore, but damn. It was annoying for a time.

I'm not a sniper, but correct me if I'm wrong. Being an airsoft sniper is more about hiding and being undetected than actual marksmenship. It's glamourized in TV and video games but really.. it seems like a whole lot of sitting around waiting for someone to walk past you.

The exception to the rule would be Stalker and Dracheous.. they use an MP5 as a primary with a sniper rifle slung on their back for when the oppertunity arrives.

1) Jackson (religious sniper) in Private Ryan who takes out like 300 guys before getting exploded.
2) The 2 snipers (Shugart, Gordon) in black hawk down that go down in a blaze of glory
3) Enemy at the Gates german dude.
4) German sniper that kills Vin Diesel in SPR, then gets shot in the eye by jackson
5) Tom Berenger
6) young Captain Price in CoD4

ha, that was on tv on Saturday, I had to watch it

don't forget those guys on the roofs in 28 Weeks Later...

Ld

I believe most "kids" are misguided by the "bad ass" lone sniper who took on the entire army in some move and games. I remember I used to be like that when I was younger.

There was an article th at detail qualfication and responsiblilty of a sniper in
howstuff works http://science.howstuffworks.com/sniper.htm. While it isn't the bible to sniping, but it really show how they work without first hand experience

People want to be snipers because their afraid of being shot.

7) mark whalberg in shooter

good point, to try to minimize close contact with the enemy

I wear ghillie with an MP5

am I a sniper?

good point, to try and minimize close contact with the enemy


*EDIT* i am an idiot

Wow, you can ask anyone in Ottawa where you find either Stalker or myself. We're usually up front of everyone else! First ones in the shit.

Why not? The fire-arm does not dictate if the guy is a sniper or not. Its the ability to put that round where you need it, sneak in unseen, and relay vital info back to your team mates.

There ARE MP5 sniper set ups ;)

For those of you who have answered properly, thanks a bunch. For those of you who posted other random sniper stuff, It's the way you are, what am I going to do about it?...

let them try it out by giving them an aeg with a scope. then tell them to hide under a tree and wait for a good shot while using semi only . ( im not saying this to be snarky, and to get the point across only give them one mag so they conserve ammo)

Because every noob thinks it's as easy as putting your crosshairs on someone and pulling the trigger from 300 meters lol

LOL.....uhmmm, NO.
Sniping, if done correctly, will place you in a position where your arse is hanging in the breeze, and if for any reason you screw up (bad bound movement, bad ghillie, bad timing, bad luck) you are going to have your arse handed to you, usually with an over abundant amount of hosing from close, close range.

It is both physically demanding, and a tactical challenge. A couple of key kills will can ease pressure on completing objective missions during large mil sim events, but by no means are you going to end up with a ton of kills.....and yes, too many snipers on any team will place a strain on its' resources.

Most airsfot games tend to be scrims, at which point sniping becomes redundant. You are usually engaging opponents with in a minimum safe shooting distance, and their safety should always come first, even if it means passing up shots. This usually means getting a couple of quick kills at distance right off the hop, then dropping your BA and running around with your side arm, all the time sticking out like a moving bill board in your ghillie. If you happen to have a good ghillie and manage to pull a good disappearing act, you'll just delay the game to the point that the other (dead) players become annoyed with you. It's really not work it.

Tell your friends to try AEGs first, get into the sport more, and then decide if they want to spend the money on building a sniper kit. At which point they should keep the original kit, and this way they always have the original kit to fall back on when it's too windy or impractical to snipe. Besides, almost every field (host, or otherwise) limits "uncertified" BA snipers to 450 fps with 0.20s, and they really aren't going to be able to compete against 400 fps AEGs on full auto.

Get them out to a scrim, and hand them a 450 fps with 0.20s BA....see how fast they change their mind about sniping.
....and keep them away from all these over glorified sniper movies. Sometimes I really hate Hollywood......

SHA DO

lol thanks for stating what the noob thinks. But what is it really then? That's my whole point kinda lol

Sha Do, impressive response...Thank you

lol i use a normal MP5SD6 with 229mm barrel LOL

There are alot of reasons why people want to play the sniper role. Im sure many of them are media influenced. Games, televsion, movies, literature go ahead and take your pick. That media influence can inspire ideas of being the lone wolf, the hero, the unstoppable invisable force. Sometimes once a persons mind gets wrapped around that it can be hard to sway them otherwise.

If someone is hard set on doing the long ranger shooter thing, then all you can do is tell them the pro's and the con's and educated them the best you can. An example being engagement ranges, distance for safe shots and distance where your sniper rifle is no longer affective.
Help them make good decisions and judgement calls when it comes to the role. After a while they will either stick with it because that is what they wanted from the beginning or they will realise that maybe its not their thing and move on.

Think of it this way, if a kid wants a grapefruit slice give it to them. They may like it they may not.

My old CA33E served very well for as you call "sniping", As did my G3.

I got bout 20-25 tree's on the airsoft field here I like to go up in and NOONEs gotten me up there. Noone looks up.

Trigger control and patience is key.

Nothing better then a patrol 50 feet from your location and just picking one off at a time, an giggling inside as they try and figure out where the shot came from.

The rules said you have to stay inbounds. Never said had to stay on the ground.

I do it cause it's effective, makes the enemy go............umm where are they???

I always recommand people to start with an AEG. Even a stock one. They get a better feel of the game dynamic, tactics and they will get a lot more adrenaline.

Once they understand how it's done, they will know if sniping is still for them. As to be a succesfull sniper, you have do dedicate yourself. 90% of the airsoft sniper job is infiltrating without being seen. Since the gap in range between 400fps and 450fps (just to mention the more popular rules of fps) is not very big. So the airsoft sniper advantages are stealth and precision, wich is not that much more compared to an equaly fine tuned AEG.

I'm sniping since about 2003-2004 and I have crawled my fair share of ground. At the end of the day, you end up with not many kills, a sore back and hacking neck. Your few kills are still "a work of art" IMO, but if they want to be a 7331 snipa, it ain't going to be it for them.

Plus, tell your wannabe sniper friend to start making their own ghillie suit and saving up about 2000$ for their first upgraded Bolt action rifle. Maybe they will change their mind and go the more conservative way.

I own an AEG set up for normal rifleman type play,

I own an AEG set up in a DMR semi-only type play,

I own a bolt action sniper rifle.

On average with my AEG's (Rough estimate) 9-10 kills per game, but with my bolt action I'm lucky to get more than 5... And I'm aggressive when I play.. the only reason why I like my sniper kit is because It's really light and allows me to run around and be much more mobile.

I started with the "sniper" role after about a year of play... and it really took a long time for it to be fun (I still don't go out lone-wolf as a sniper, I move in a team with at least one other sniper) I don't play airsoft to sit in a bush by myself and be bored, I play to have fun.

I'm with Amos, if I wanted to sit around in the bush, I'd just go camping. At least then I can get hammered and make that boring act fun ;)

I own a sniper rifle (in fact I'm making an M110 SASS), but I use it in a Designated Marksman role rather than a sniper role. I just prefer semi-auto to full auto as I tend to underestimate the amount of ammo my gun can put down range in automatic mode. When I was using Thundercactus' "Legend Gun" (A G3 with just the silliest range ever lol) I noticed that I got more kills with semi-automatic than full automatic as I tended to pick my shots more. I also noticed this with my M16 when I had it (which is why I made the jump to a Semi-Automatic Sniper System, or SASS).

For me, the sniper rifle is just a tool that suits my needs more than a regular assault rifle does. I do not play the sniper role, and don't find it interesting. Though I will be wearing a semi-ghille (just an ACU jacket with some jutte on the back of it and a boonie with jutte and natural camouflage) depending on situations, I make no allusions to being patient enough or focused enough to be a sniper. I'll be a DM and move in a squad, but there's no way I could be a sniper.

Nice to see some more responses:)

Good point, sure to tell him that. He would rather be one of those snipers that run around and pretty much act like an assault soilder, taking shots whenever.

Very nice response, thanks. He still doesn't get how the FPS is the similar however, sure to tell him that. He wouldn't mind being a stealth sniper, but he would rather much be a 7331 snipa. He is not immature where all he wants are head shots lol, but I think he would rather be in the action a little more. Gotta talk to him more...

A very good opionated response, thanks Amos. You move with your team and it still took a long time for it to be fun? Curious to find out...

Maybe this style of play you have chosen will suit him a little more, thanks:D

Designated Marksman is a valuable tool in the squad arsenal that has to alternate between ranged shots and regular infantry role. Your role as a DM is to take out those individuals that your regular infantry members cannot, as your tools are better suited for the task.

They sometimes use semi-automatic rifles, but prefer rifles that can fire in full automatic. Rifles of choice have been M16 variants primarily as SDM-R (Squad Designated Marksman Rifle) in the US Army or SAM-R (Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle) in the US Marines. They also use M14's (The Marines' DMR is a Semi-automatic only version of the M14) and several other guns depending on service branch, which nation they're from, etc.

I like the DM role. I get to make some nice long distance kills here and there, as well as work within a squad and kick the shit out of people as a team. :D

Doh, busted! Damn it.

You've never hidden in a bush, you've always become a bush. One might say you've become part of the vegetation, a vegetable perhaps. Mind numbing boredom ;)

Stalker likes to slap ppl instead of shooting them

+1

But hey I don't like being shot :)

I have game like that called "Counting Coup"

Its a game wher everyone has a small 2.5 foot stick. You have to touch the person ...not hit them with it.

When you touch the player you collect the stick. Who gets the most sticks wins.

If you eliminate a player by firearm you do not get the stick.

Everyone has guns of course :)

You can get shot as usual.

I've gotten to quite a few bugs by name I should say. They were all named "Tasty". Worse thing is getting one stuck in the back of one's throat, try it sometime and NOT cough up a lung. I solved the problem by having my lungs taken out, hence my using cigarettes to get my fill of O2 and other crap, and it filters out the bugs. :D

I'll add, it looks like I've got the longest range airsoft kills with a sniper rifle. Don't know the distance, but I've been at home on game day, and someone blames me for shooting them with a BB that came out of nowhere. I think the maximum distance is about 50km so far.

And God sits there and asks "Where the hell did that come from!?!" *Thanks to whomever came up with that for me, it's hilarious. Someone has it in their sig, I should get it as well, it's too funny.

It seems that many are agreeing with you, but I think I am going to disagree with you. I mean, correct me when I am wrong, aren't snipers usually a main target in a game? Many of scoutthedoggies awsome airsoft vids usually show the sniper getting shot at the end of it. First thing I would do If I knew there was a sniper on the other team would be to look for anything like a wookie on the ground...

And don't worry, he's not afraid of being shot. He likes the range aspect of playing a sniper role, but it seems that a sniper is more of a Ghost/Stealth type of role than one who takes down targets from a distance.

Experiences would be great...

lmfao slapping people?

No comment here.

what i think he means, is that to the uninformed, uninitiated novice; the sniper role is the easiest and it's closest to their video-game experience in that they can sit back, undetected and just shoot at people without them knowing where they are and risking getting shot back, which in airsoft is not as simple as that

Nah he just like to throw tampons at people.

Keep it on topic guys....sheeesh.

I would have to disagree that snipers are main targets during any particular game. They can be a major threat, but the opposing team can always opt to detour and leave the sniper to their own little patch of the field, or send out their sharp shooter/DMM/counter sniper to let them duke it out.

Anyways, who says that snipers sit in a bush all day?? Anyone can hide in a bush, but it takes skill to look like a "bush" that really isn't there, and getting there with out being detected is half the art of sniping.

I also started sniping with a 400fps upgraded TM Aug and eventually went BA when the APS2 came out. It's a shame that Maruzen only makes the type 96 now.

SHA DO

Ok, this is a proven fact.

I think the post before this touched on something, the vision it takes of not having to have much skill except putting crosshairs on a guy and pulling the trigger. The view that most other aspects of airsoft roles requires a lot of money and skill, so they figure the sniper role would be the easiest, and least expensive (a gun and camo, big deal), hence the thought they'd go for it.

All I can say, sniper role is the hardest, most time consuming and most difficult role in airsoft to stick with. Add in learning how to shoot, predict the shot, compensate for overhop, hooking, sideways drifting, droppage of the round, setting the hop up correctly and knowing it won't work in every area or from every direction you take the shot. And that is just the shooting aspect, sneaking into an area is tough, getting near an objective is tougher, dealing with patrols and such in the area and either sneaking past them, or getting compromised and getting your ass out of the sling you got yourself into...............

Fuck, I have a hard-on now.

lol there is a good response...thank you

In this thread there are links to sniper feild manuals and such. Might be worth a read amongst the lolstuff.

Cool. Like my avatar?

Honestly, if you are good enogh at camouflaging to get close enough to bitch slap someone, then you're REALLY good lol

Am I walking into a trap here? Yeah I do as a matter of fact:D

No trap, just me in a low budget movie. Great acting skills, eh? Stand up, walk to the side.

The best thing I can advise for people looking to learn to stalk their prey, take up hunting.

If you can get up close (50 yards and less) of an amimal before taking your shot, your on the right track. I get most my kills in around 30-80 yards.

I treated my airsoft "sniping", just as I would if I were out hunting.

Aquire a target, stalk it and move to optimal vantage point (or concealment point), then take my shot & repeat process.

Big difference being your airsoft enemy can't smell ya out like an animal can, unless ya got a distinct smell coming from ya.

I been going up the tree's during airsoft games since 2003. NOONE has ever even shot at me while up a tree. To be honest I don't think anyone's seen me up there either.

Well everyone know your secret and they'll be looking up now won't they :D

Oh I've already let my tactics out months ago.

I'm more or less dissapointed noone else has provided the same level of frustration as I have on the field. Pricks like me make the game challenging. :D

I've stopped VIP escorts you name it, actually picked off the VIP twice now from my tree spots.

Black BB's are great, you can tell if you got shot at or a fly flew past ya.

Gotta have a good eye when using them, or them impacting the ground will lead right back to ya.

Also I highly suggest you have a non blow back pistol as a sidearm. TM MK23 is the BEST out there.

Dead accurate, dead silent. From 15 feet and just regular forest ambience during a game, you can't hear it. It's got a reputation for that.

I've been playing for a little more than a year now. I have a G36 (full size) and a stock MP5A4. I just purchased bolt-action sniper rifle (Well L96v2) to play around with because I want to try out the sniper/marksman role. I'm fully planning on keeping the L96 on my back and using the MP5 as my primary while doing this and only using the L96 as an opportunity weapon. If I decide I like it, then I'll look at dropping some money into upgrading the L96 into a really decent platform.

For me personally I like sneaking around the bush to try and get in behind my enemy. Karma and I did it at the Wolfpack game at one point -the two of us kept 5 or 6 guys busy for a time while they tried to kill us (we limited our shooting so it only appeared to be one of us). I think we only got two or three kills out of it but damn it was fun. Just knowing we were tieing up some enemies that weren't fighting "at the front" so to speak was worth it in itself. I imagine I could have been much more effective with a very quiet BAR instead of my noisy AEG.

My cryptic point is that I've been playing for a year as a normal infantryman and now I'm trying out some different ways of playing to see how I like them. Suggest to your friends that if they don't want to spend a very large amount of time moving slowly and patiently, and waiting for shots, not getting kills, etc. then not to snipe. I really kindof wish the "sniper" role was actually called "recon" or "scout" or something. I think it would be far more descriptive of the actual role.

I believe that the marines have scout snipers. I may be wrong but just putting that out there.

I know in real militaries they are often referred to as that, I was mentioning it more for airsoft.

Ah, that is a bit strange to be honest. You'd think that people would be more willing to call the sniper role scout sniper.

1) DM for the win :D
2) There's also a fair bit of talent and intuition required to make a good sniper, from what I've seen. Now, I know I don't have it, but I gotta tell you...I've "WTF!" 'd pretty hard at 47 a couple of times...the random appearing out of bushes that you were SURE you cleared a second ago, the ridiculous shots from a million miles away...did I mention he used a stock CA M24 with no scope? And before that a JG M14 springer? no scope, just intuition and patience. I was always happy he was on my team...and double alert for any sound of a bolt moving or ANYTHING that said he was in the area if I wasn't. As Relja learned the hard way, if you don't go to the ground after the first shot, you'll spend the next little while respawning....

Perhaps people want to be capable of stuff like that? I'm probably phrasing 47's exploits in a more epic fashion than necessary, but since I've been on the business end more often than the waiting end, that's how I've come to perceive it.

Keep in mind that a sniper is just an anfantryman that take all the fieldcraft and marksmanship to the maximum. Any infantry can act like a sniper as long as their role and mission allow it.

a bit off topic but stalker check my sig for that quote

Yay, you have it! I love that, it's too funny, even it it does inflate my ego a bit! Am gonna steal it too, Matt phrased it in such a cool way.

sniper?! even if support class exists...
 

In all sincerety I can't relate to the novelty that people associate with the sniper class when first introduced to this sport because I myself never went through that phase. I've always adored the systematic shock to my genitals provided over and over and over again and again at the sight of a gorgeous rifle (particularily ones of higher caliber and bolt action..oh I could just...walk in to a strip joint). My initial interest lay in support. The feeling of bullets constantly being projected as time flies by idle to the carnage set forth by your weapon. Really, it's exhilarating. Though accuracy is not your prime objective you serve as a suppressor for the glory of your compagnions; really, how could one not adore it? Your role is to attract enemy attention and divert attention, aid others to attain cover, suppressive fire! It's all so amazing, no? Honestly, sniper caliber rifles are instruments of immense beauty but to me a sniper class individual must have qualities that not every one posseses. I suppose that's the reason behind its popularity. People (as a general rule) tend to retain things that are different from them or their thoughts. Snipers in movies and combat approach a field in an alternate method relative to the their teammates (who happen to be mostly light infantry, assult infantry, support infantry, etc..). A team is divised such that there are a small portion of people that can obtain the sniper position. Sniper class has a tendency to explore by themselves and act in the interes of the team while attainig a more impressive head; glorifying in the least. People who are new to the sport might assume that they can sneak around behind the enemy easily and eliminate the entire squad when in reality that kind of maneuvre requires an impressive amount of instinctual strength, stamina, patience, accuracy, unobstrusive movement, et cetera.

Moreover, (in addition to a natural attraction, the over dramatization of the sniper class in the media, the glory associated to an effective sniper and the beauty of the rifles available to the sniper class) there exists a comfort in knowing that you are distant from the enemy. This fact, in itself, might not have any significance in relation to the amount of pain or projectiles received but it creates a distance from the enemy that ensures less psycological strain to people new to the sport. Of course a veteran prioritizes the mission over his/herself. A novice, contrary to the veteran, might have a tendency to forget about the mission when he/she is being attacked or when they must strategically eliminate enemies according to priority versus eliminating enemies that are in a convinient location.

sniper?! even if support class exists...
 

In all sincerety I can't relate to the novelty that people associate with the sniper class when first introduced to this sport because I myself never went through that phase. I've always adored the systematic shock to my genitals provided over and over and over again and again at the sight of a gorgeous rifle (particularily ones of higher caliber and bolt action..oh I could just...walk in to a strip joint). My initial interest lay in support. The feeling of bullets constantly being projected as time flies by idle to the carnage set forth by your weapon. Really, it's exhilarating. Though accuracy is not your prime objective you serve as a suppressor for the glory of your compagnions; really, how could one not adore it? Your role is to attract enemy attention and divert attention, aid others to attain cover, suppressive fire! It's all so amazing, no? Honestly, sniper caliber rifles are instruments of immense beauty but to me a sniper class individual must have qualities that not every one posseses. I suppose that's the reason behind its popularity. People (as a general rule) tend to retain things that are different from them or their thoughts. Snipers in movies and combat approach a field in an alternate method relative to the their teammates (who happen to be mostly light infantry, assult infantry, support infantry, etc..). A team is divised such that there are a small portion of people that can obtain the sniper position. Sniper class has a tendency to explore by themselves and act in the interes of the team while attainig a more impressive head; glorifying in the least. People who are new to the sport might assume that they can sneak around behind the enemy easily and eliminate the entire squad when in reality that kind of maneuvre requires an impressive amount of instinctual strength, stamina, patience, accuracy, unobstrusive movement, et cetera.

Moreover, (in addition to a natural attraction, the over dramatization of the sniper class in the media, the glory associated to an effective sniper and the beauty of the rifles available to the sniper class) there exists a comfort in knowing that you are distant from the enemy. This fact, in itself, might not have any significance in relation to the amount of pain or projectiles received but it creates a distance from the enemy that ensures less psycological strain to people new to the sport. Of course a veteran prioritizes the mission over his/herself. A novice, contrary to the veteran, might have a tendency to forget about the mission when he/she is being attacked or when they must strategically eliminate enemies according to priority versus eliminating enemies that are in a convinient location.

Best regards,

PvtSpartykus


[P.S.]

Give me a M249 over and M24 in a real life scenario and I go for the m249, as cool as the M24 looks

I think you need to see a doctor...

Anyway, I see your point. It's fun to shoot things in an over abundant use of force. But to kill for real in the process... I don't think so. I just hope you are not implying a real situation.

Some more really good examples and responses...Thanks guys! Thank you PvtSpartykus for the very detailed response, but +1 to Fox, I just hope you are not implying a real situation.;) I showed my friend this thread I started, and he is still determined to play the role as a "real" sniper in an airsoft game, when he hits 18. He likes the idea of the the DM role, but he would rather play the sniper who "waits in a bush and only gets 1-2 hits a game" now. I'm sure media has had a large influence on us, and he probably thinks he can take on the whole team when he plays the role....but he is beginning to understand that snipers will only get 1-2 hits a game...

who knows, maybe he would actually enjoy playing the role when 18...even though the DM role sounds very interesting and a little more exciting:)

BC_K, very interesting tactic...too bad we do not hunt though...

Reason I said most people like the idea of becoming a sniper, is their fear of being shot, is that I think its a fantasy to alot of new people. You always see kids wanting to be the next 'shooter'.
Case in point, there is this 16 year old kid in my town whose daddy bought him a Wells L96 and he had heard that I have a team. So, of course, he wanted to game with us, so I told him that when one of use gets a new gun or does an upgrade of some sort, they need to be shot by it willingly to know what your enemy will be feeling once you pull that trigger. He said he was all good with that but when it came down to him being shot by his own rifle. He took me aside and told me he was too scared to go through with it, ha ha. His actual words were, "what if I start crying?".
Also another reason why kids shouldn't play airsoft.

Another good point Mr.Muffin but, not all snipers are kids. Sure there's a in being a frontline soldier rushing capture points defending other people for cover..

But when you're out in the field, and everybody is gunning specifically for you because they know you can just reach out and smack them in the face with a bb. Well that's all the thrill I need, I suggest everyone try it.

I'm not saying that snipers are kids, I have a VSR myself. However, kids are always complaining about not be allowed to play, and when a a kid tells me he'll probably cry if he gets shot...I think its self explanitory.

my 0.02cents.

I can't stand scouting/sniping boring as hell IMO. Bring a gameboy or DS because you will probably fire maybe 5 rounds at most. The rest of the time you will spend it on the radio telling people where the enemy is and going; That assumes that you choose a good hide with a decent field of view so you can see anything important.

Largely sounds like you have only head snipers take naps in the field waiting for one or two shots over the course of the day. That's what a useless sniper does. Worse one is one that sits around doing that had has no radio.

The best snipers will move with the battle, provide and receive intel and change positions often in order to best benefit the team and the accomplishment of the objectives. Longest I've sat for in one place was two hours, was on overwatch duty when my team was defending a large base in a large open area, I was in the back corner on a high hill and had full view of roads, paths, large berms, etc. Even though the maximum distances in my detail were over 500ft, my job was to take out anyone that came close if I could (shot two), but mostly to report movements of attackers trying to get within range of the base. But most of the time I'll stir up the other team and keep their heads down. Sniping to me is a tool I'm good at, I don't do the role that often, but always have my M24 on my back. And one doesn't NEED to have a ghillie to be an effective sniper, just has to have the skills and knowledge to do what snipers do. Ballistics, how to use camo, how to move without being detected, etc. Not saying that's all that makes a sniper, but saying that those are crucial skills required for the job. And having a rifle that can get heavy BBs out to 300ft is a big help as well.

+1
I'm no sniper, but my experience with 47 has showed that although equipment helps, it's more the person's abilities that really make them a cut above. Hiding well where you don't expect them to be, moving around and staying unpredictable, inspiring fear with the knowledge that although the first shot MAY miss, the second probably won't.

huh...almost makes me think Stalker actually knows what he's talking about with all this sniper stuff or something....[/sarcasm] (The day I question Stalker's authority on sniping, I'll be in JTF2...both are equally unlikely to occur.)

Being the only person I'm aware of who started outdoor airsoft with a BA and is still playing (3 years of outdoor play and I just bought my first AEG) with it I'm going to add some points from my view that have not been brought up.

Positive points:
- Cheaper: You use less ammo, magazines tend to be cheaper, you don't need a vest and other paraphenalia.
- More rewarding: I think it took me a month and a half of weekly games to finally get my first kill. Yes, you don't get that many kills but the ones you get are that much more rewarding.

Negative points:
- Certain skills don't develop: This is a personal sticking point which is why I finally picked up an AEG. I've found that I rely on range and the low sound signature of my rifle too much. As a result I have a hard time sneaking up on people. Everyone's mileage will vary but I know this is my main weakness that I've developed from just using a BA.

"Don't Know Where These Fit" Points:
- I've found that my enjoyment of a game can depend on who is in command. If a commander knows how to use a sniper then I have a great time. If they don't know where to send me then I tend to miss out on the action far too much.
- Be prepared to be flexible. The last two major games I've found myself doing little more than harrasing an attacking force. If there's no way for me to get a clean shot due to the heavy brush, any BB travelling at high velocity will still get people to cover their heads. Did I get any kills? No, but I knew I was still doing my job and that was reward enough.

"Last bit of sniper advice" Point:
Get a damn radio!

I know I have more stuff in my head but they're not coming out right now.

Hehe, thanks, nice to know I have my own little fan club.

I SHOULD say, that Mother Nature is largely the one who dictates if the BB hits your target or not. Hop up makes a BB unstable to start with, but any little air currents between you and your target can toss it off course by a tiny bit, and it's worth paraphrasing the old Japanese proverb "Small things become big things", (is one reason I shoot groups at 30ft in my basement to see the 'health' of my rifles), if your BBs goes even 1mm off course by a bit at 100ft, that could equal off target by a meter at 250ft. Conpensating is fine, might get your hit, but that little air current that made your BB swerve off won't be there again, might be another stronger/weaker one later on, making your compensation really useless unless you can sort out on the fly why the BB went where it did and how not to have it happen again. That is what the Master Class of airsoft snipers constantly fight with, it's a challenge to say the least.

And, have to say, the only "perfect conditions" for an airsoft gun (even a high powered sniper rifle), is no gravity and in a vacuum. BBs will go where they want to go in the real word.

Also, Here's a fun little thing that I did last sunday...

If you want to work on your stealth go out with out a gun..

for half the game on sunday I went out with a rubber knife... I must say... If you find sniper rifle kills rewarding... when you fineally land a knife kill after stalking some one for a good 15 minutes... It's so rewarding.

Needless to say:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/IMG_1525.jpg

Some more great posts, thanks alot guys! I think he has a better understanding of what being a "sniper" is now.

CDN_Stalker, thanks for contributing to the thread, very helpful posts.

FNG-13, lmfao all my cousin wants to do is talk into the radio, I'm sure he would be more than delighted to purchase one if he plays the role of sniper when 18. Congrats on being Age-Verified.

Tsuru, thanks for the pros and cons of sniping

Muffin, he is not afraid of being a shot, so I don't think that will be a problem...I hope lol

Question- For those of you verified, would it be a good idea to follow the sniper in a game like a training practice or something? Just to see if you would like to be one...

lmfao nice Amos..."You got knifed bitch!!"

If I'm in my ghillie I dont even like anyone wanting to "back me up". Kinda retarded to have a hanger on wearing some BDUs within 60ft behind you, only to expose you. Best to learn to make a ghillie, and join them. Unless they are wearing the same camo as you are, then it should be ok to join them, just don't walk around like papparazi behind a sniper while he's trying to work.

That would be rewarding. Although if I were in that situation I'd probably get frusterated with a lack of kills and end up throwing the knife at someone.

If the knife's FPS is under 400... would that count as a knife kill? :D

Thrown knives count in Manitoba :D

Lol, thats bad ass.

Only if it's point first ;)

Hey Amos, which is MORE rewarding? Sniper kill or a knife kill? Its still very hard to believe that snipers only get a couple kills a game...but hey, someone has to play the role

Nothing says "I love you" like a rubber knife caressing someone's throat, while you gently whisper "mercy" in their ear.

man...that got weird.

What your gonna need to do, is either get a pellet gun sniper or airsoft sniper, and show your friends how hard it is! My friend brought over this pellet sniper one time and we shot it at my plasma screen tv box. It got boring. Pump, load, cock shoot. when you first start, the process can take a good minute. well thats with a pellet gun though. For airsoft, they just need to realize, SNIPING IS HARD!!! Its not like CoD4 at all. (I <3 CoD4). Go with the knife and the AEG man. Knife ftw.

amos can we see more of your rubber knife? =D Make a video! xD

lol nice to see some input from a newbie to the forum. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to purchase a pellet or airsoft sniper at the time...I am only 15(soon to be 16). It may be a good idea to get in touch with a relative or friend who owns one to try it out however...

You wanna know whats the most rewarding? Throwing a handful of BBs at somoene kill.

CAN you DO that>?

Not true, unless one sits on ass in one spot all day.

Oh yes you can, I prefer to double fist.

If someone threw a rubber knife at me during a game, I would keep it just to teach him a lesson.

I'm 15 too :D. You can get something cheap to plink with from plenty of places. Dont expect too much though. the best your gonna get is a Aftermath Kraken.. I think. www.buypaintball.ca go to their airsoft link. I just ordered one yesterday. Decent upgrade platform. Its still a good gun though. Let your friends try it out, be responsible, and have fun. I'm sure they'll want a AEG by the time their 18. You live pretty close to me. If I ever get to shoot the sniper again. We'll PARTAY! xD or not.

lol wtf ^

Dude, seriously. Stop fucking posting.

I'd tape a tampon to it and throw it back at him. Hmm, if I ever get any rubber knives tossed at me, I'm gonna start carrying lube'd condoms and a small bottle of soft soap, put it on later and hand (or throw) it back to the guy. :D

Tampons and red food dye.

Hey, vampire tea bag, good idea. Except I'm not a chick. :D

Hey, the way some people describe the sniper role I can actually see it happening:p


Would love to hear a typical "sniper movement" from you, without giving away too much