Become an Effective Sniper in Battlefield 2

This article will show you how to effectively snipe from short and long range in Battlefield 2. Stay alive in close quarters combat as a sniper unit.

Steps

  1. Learn to relax, and let your enemies wander around until you can make consistent kills/hits, and always try to go for head shots when you're in a concealed environment.
  2. Know your sniper weapon systems. The most effective rifles for sniping are closed bolt action rifles, such as the .50cal M95 Barret unlock (this gun can penetrate armored glass, which no other rifle can do).
    • The damage effectiveness for each sniper rifle varies per weapon. The strongest weapon is the M95 sniper rifle. A single body shot from this gun will reduce the enemy's health to 5%. The M24 and L96A1's body shots will only reduce an enemy to 10% health.
  3. Learn how to sight, range, and tell how fast your target is moving. The target range for the Barret m95 is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, after that you must use the drop scope, and offset your crosshair ahead of your target. However, the price for the rifles power is accuracy, the U.S. sniper rifle(the M24) and the sniper unlock for the expansion, Special Forces, are extremely accurate. and have much thinner crosshairs than the M95, making longer shots easier to line up.
  4. Set up claymores if you're posting by tight flanks where enemies can pop out, or sneak around you. If anti-snipers are after you, claymores will provide a kill, early warning, and more opportunity.
  5. Know your scope: Each rifle has a different scope(crosshairs), and you must learn how you use the drop on your own.
  6. Do not shoot at everything! Never send more than three shots at a single target. Rotate fire. Take some time between shots to make it harder for them to pinpoint your position. When going for moving targets, shoot in front of them.
  7. Kill the enemy that has the most threat potential, i.e. tank gunner positions,fixed AA,AT,machine gun posts.These are also very easy because the enemy is fixed in place. An enemy killed whilst inside a vehicle cannot be revived either, so it's a guaranteed kill.
  8. Position yourself effectively. If you do not have a good position on your enemy it can cost you your life and can cost your team points and possibly a loss.When moving to a position try to be as inconspicuous as possible. The best positions are usually going to be out in the open where the enemy will not expect you. Most of the time though you can only take one or two shots from out in the open before you are found. Another good position is on the corner a building this will give you cover from enemy fire. Here are the pros and cons of some other positions:
    • Roof tops while being good for viewing the battle can be detrimental to your ability to snipe. If you must go on a rooftop do not stay long and make sure that if you know you are going to stay for a few shots make sure you stay behind something on the roof and place a CLAYMORE on the top of the ladder so that an enemy soldier that come up the ladder has a nice welcoming present and this will give you time to exit this location. Roof tops are generally safer further away from active areas. Try to choose one where you still have a good view but is away from the main combat areas.
    • Cranes are extremely effective places to snipe from, as they are high up, and some people falsely believe they are bad, so people don't always look there. They have some cons, as they take time to climb. Claymore the ladders, and check them often. If spotted, jump(don't forget to use your parachute)!
    • Hill positions can be very effective especially for long range sniping.try to use trees,bushes,rocks and other items in the terrain to mask your position.
    • Sniping from vehicles can be done from most transport vehicles where your personal weapon is your defense. Most enemies will not expect a sniper in the back of a Hummer, so if you are in a squad and everyone exits stay in the rear and use it.
    • Short-range sniping shots are best when standing or kneeling in the game because you will need to quickly take the shot and then move because the enemy will probably hear you and then see your position.
  9. Short range shots.
    • Make sure you take the enemy down with only one bullet. The best way to ensure this is to aim for your enemies forehead or scalp, if you shoot your enemy in either spot you will get a one shot one kill.
    • If you cannot get a head shot on your enemy, shoot at whatever part of your enemy is exposed usually one shot from a sniper rifle on the body of most units in the game will cause 3/4 damaged to be assessed to your enemy thus making your second shot very simple and a body shot will assure his demise.
    • Make sure you can quickly switch to your pistol and use the claymores to defend your position, grenades can be used to allow you to escape a fire fight.
  10. Long range.
    • Over {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} the game tries to calculate for bullet drop. The game does not do an effective job of doing so but you will need to adjust for a slight bit of drop due to enemy movement.
    • Go into the prone position when setting up for a long range shot. Spend a second or two to settle in.
    • Make sure that you watch your enemy for a few seconds to determine his movement patterns. Remember not to take too long, or your target just might disappear behind an obstacle.
    • Look for the enemies that are lying down or just standing around. Try to avoid moving targets, they are usually more difficult and you may expose your position. However, don't avoid every moving target, otherwise you will never gain valuable experience. In fact, every time you make a successful shot on a moving target, try a little bit harder to find moving targets, eventually you will be good enough to take almost anyone down, moving or not.
    • Position the reticle for the long range shot on your enemies head right at the scalp. It will seem like you are adjusting for drop but it is really just because the enemy is so much farther away.
  11. Avoid shooting at enemies that are moving erratically, i.e. jumping around running in circles or zig zagging. These are pointless shots and will waste ammo and expose your position.
  12. Practice! Sniping takes a lot of RDR (rounds down range). Practicing against bots may be kind of boring and easy but try to turn it into a fun game rather than just sniping them. Bots are good targets and they move erratically and are dependable when you begin sniping.
  13. Close quarters combat. Know that your pistol,claymore and grenades are your only CQB weapons.
    • Pistol: Aim for the head with your pistol otherwise a decent enemy will finish you off very quickly.
    • Claymores: Place them in areas that are highly-trafficked by the enemy and use them to protect your rooftop positions.
    • Grenades:Throw grenades to get your enemy to back off of your position or give you enough time to get back to your friendlies.
  14. Do not drive vehicles to your position for sniping and if you have to to get to it quickly try to place the vehicle in the most inconspicuous place you can.
  15. Use the pistol! It's an under appreciated weapon. Target their torso, and strafe as you fire.
  16. Use that claymore if all else fails; even though the enemy may kill you, if you get that mine down in time, he will be killed by the mine because he is so close to it.
  17. Watch your back! If you hear footsteps, and can't see an ally on the HUD then get up and pull out your knife or your pistol.
  18. If you kill an enemy as a sniper, they are likely to come back, as a sniper. so if you get a kill and there is no enemies or little enemies then change your position.
  19. It is good to have 3 or more positions that you can snipe from. Get a kill and then switch position.
  20. An easy way to get kills is, use the M95 Barret and camp the enemies airfield. when they get into a copter or a jet then shoot them as there engine is warming up.
  21. If there are a lot of enemies, take only up to 2 shots, then move on.
  22. If sniping behind an object, always crouch or go prone when reloading.
  23. Get a ruler and learn what an eighth of an inch looks like, at extremely long distance aim an eighth above them for instant kill. If they are running aim an eighth in front of them.

Infiltration

This sounds simple enough, but be warned. This requires a lot of coordination with a "spotter." And let's face it; relying on others to do a job just doesn't feel right. If you're good enough however, and if your spotter knows how to do his job, your team can guarantee a win before the game starts. Here's the lowdown.

  1. Pick a spotter. Essentially, a sniper is useless against enemy armor. So when a tank decides to run you over for laughs, you can't really do much except make the most of your grenades and claymores. This of course, encourages him to shoot you instead. The spotter steps in to assist the sniper in tight fixes. Or at least provide warning when something dangerous is nearby.
    • Special forces: They are possibly the best spotters for infiltration. Cover his back against enemy infantry while he plants the all-important C4 charge. If he knows what he's doing, the enemy can be pinned down for over 5 minutes while you pick off infantry and he sabotages vehicles, artillery, etc.
    • Assault: Not preferred due to the lack of more effective explosives. Still, they are quite good decoys. Just don't stick to them since they just aren't meant for being willingly trapped behind enemy lines.
    • Support: This is also not preferred. Support units will keep you well stocked on ammo, but they won't be able to do much else. And unlike Assault kits, they have a harder time against medium and heavy vehicles.
    • Medic: This is ok, but don't stick to him. He'll provide cover in close quarters and patch you up when you get too injured. Just be sure you take a lot of infantry out, as he can't revive you when someone's guarding your corpse.
    • Sniper: NO. This just increases the number of targets to hit. A good sniper knows that the more spread out they are, the more area their scopes can cover. So two snipers in the same place is useless.
    • Engineer: They usually have big close quarter guns. And they can sabotage vehicles by putting mines right next to their treads. And when you decide to finally escape, get in a vehicle with him. You're more survivable that way.
    • Anti-Tank: The second best spotter. Not as efficient in sabotage, but they can save you when confronted with armor. Three cheers for SRAW and ERYX!
  2. Debate on transport. The best way to infiltrate an enemy outpost is by flying in a plane and paradropping before you're shot down. The downside is that this wastes the time it takes to spawn 1 plane. And air support is crucial in the overall scheme. Also, if the pilot decides not to jump out, you're stuck without a spotter, making the entire operation useless. Another way is by using a fast, light vehicle like a buggy and sidestepping the entire combat zone. Ditch the vehicle {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} from the chosen position. It makes it harder to pinpoint where the sniper team is. A black hawk transport also a good way to get behind, but watch yourself. Fighter pilots see a flying black hawk as a sitting duck.
  3. Choosing a position. Just choose one. Read the guidelines above.
  4. Choose an objective. Are you just going to kill a few troops and get out? Paralyze enemy movement? Pin down enemy armor? Maybe take down artillery batteries and UAV trailers? Choose one that suits your spotter.
  5. Holding the line and extraction. This requires the support of your commander. As long as you're holding the line, you'll need a supply drop to keep stocked on ammo, and so will your spotter. God willing, the commander won't drop the crate in plain sight and mark you for dead. Do not stick too close to your spotter throughout the operation, as they aren't wearing camo outfits, and you might get hit by collateral damage. Never go to the crate at the same time. This takes time, but should some creep come up to where he thinks you are and you're both facing away, kiss the op goodbye. When it's time to leave, play to your spotter's strengths. Is he a good pilot? Get a plane. Does he maneuver well? Try a tank. Does he need you to kill anti-tanks while he speeds away? Get in the back of a hummer. Do you have a light vehicle you used to sidestep the map when you got in? Use it then.

Tips

  • Sniper rifle information, correct to Patch 1.22:
    • Name: M24(1)
      • Army: USMC
      • Damage: 90
      • Maximum Range: 1000
      • Magazine Capacity: 5
      • Delay to Use: 1.6
      • Accuracy: Very High
    • Name: Type 88(2)
      • Army: PLA
      • Damage: 45
      • Maximum Range: 1000
      • Magazine Capacity: 10
      • Delay to Use: 1
      • Accuracy: Medium
    • Name: SVD(2)
      • Army: MEC
      • Damage: 45
      • Maximum Range: 1000
      • Magazine Capacity: 10
      • Delay to Use: 1
      • Accuracy: Medium
    • Name: M95(1)
      • Army: 1st Unlock
      • Damage: 90(3)
      • Maximum Range: 1000
      • Magazine Capacity: 5
      • Delay to Use: 1
      • Accuracy: High
    • Name: L96A1(1)
      • Army: 2nd Unlock
      • Damage: 95
      • Maximum Range: 1000
      • Magazine Capacity: 5
      • Delay to Use: 1.6
      • Accuracy: Very High
  • If you are wanting to be a sniper the best thing to do is get a good mouse. I have the G5 from logitech and the best thing about this mouse is the sensitivity and the DPI on the fly. This will also help you on flying and driving. When driving as a sniper set it to the middle, when flying set it to the top and when you jump out or are ready to line up a shot set it to the bottom. this will make your targeting very easy.
  • Don't forget those inconspicuous ledges off the tops of buildings. There are lots of spots that aren't accessible by ladders but you can get to by jumping from a from a higher ledge.
  • If you do snipe from buildings, don't let the tip of your weapon go further than the edge, maybe even a foot or two behind.
  • Whenever possible take the easiest shots. Take the kill not the glory of the hard shot. However, if you don't try for the hard shots you will never get better. So once you start feeling sure of your skills start moving outside of your comfort zone.
  • If you turn shadows off in your video options, you can see other snipers hiding in the shadows more easily. (but this is if you are very desperate)
  • There are many maps where the highest rooftop isn't always the best. Access to these spots are usually easily visible and a sniper at the second highest or similar spot can pick you off while your climbing up.
  • Do not overuse a position. Overusing a position will expose you and the enemy will eventually seek you out or the commander will get wise of your position.
  • If your commander drops the supply crate smack on top of a vantage point, call the infiltration off. You might as well say: "Someone call an air strike before I shoot you guys!" over the intercom.
  • It takes 2 body shots to kill an enemy most of the time.
  • Sometimes you may need to snipe CS style. By strafing constantly and only stopping to fire a shot, it is unlikely that you will be killed if you are at a distance.
  • If you can flank your enemy and find a good spot you can not only help with surveillance but methodically pick them off one by one. I don't say well hidden because there are spots where you can be in the open but also well hidden (refer to the last tip). Try to find a spot away from a capturable base. Sooner or later the commander is going to send up a UAV and they'll spot you sooner or later. If your just out of the UAV scan area you don't have much to worry about.
  • Remember, your accuracy is not affected whether your are standing, crouching, or prone when you are scoped.
  • When hiding, it's worth noting that the human eye is based on movement. There's a much higher chance of staying hidden if you don't move.
  • Don't forget to report the positions of any enemy units you can't kill while infiltrating. It'll give your friends in helicopters and aircraft an early warning system, painting a target sign on the guys that get away from you.
  • Don't always focus on the same area, look around a bit with your scope and search for "targets of opportunity".
  • A scanner sweep will mark you for dead. If you don't have a special forces kit as a spotter, request an artillery barrage and keep the UAV and Radar station down. These tools are more lethal than anything else. As long as you're hidden, you're safe.
  • Try hard not to go prone against a horizon. Your body will be extremely visible against the sky, and you'll be obvious to everyone, especially other snipers. This reason alone makes hills much more useful sniping positions than, say, buildings.
  • When going for a headshot, try to aim for the top of the head, such as the hat/helmet that they are wearing. Face shot can be glitchy and possibly won't kill them.
  • Use the M95 and camp by enemy airfields. When the pilots get in planes/choppers, use the engine warm-up time to take out the pilots. It works a lot! (This is a cheap way of getting kills and can possibly get you kicked/banned from a server.)
  • Sniping is easiest from the same level as your opponent. This makes normal ground and other low levels some of the most effective sniping positions, as long as you're in good cover.
  • Enemies are less likely to notice the flare of your weapon if you're in a sunny area - although it's usually easy to spot you in the first place. Learn to balance the two.
  • Headshots will result in an instant kill.
  • Usually, snipers are kept out of dangerous situations - thus, there is no excuse for wasting rounds by reloading before you're out of ammo on your current clip - doing so will only waste however many shots you have left.
  • Remember that it's better to wait and land a head shot on your opponent than to miss and frantically try to kill him before he finds you. Wait a tiny bit (while following his head) until he pauses and allows you to get the perfect shot.
  • Getting tight to something that covers you can be priceless. Especially if it is angled so you blend in more. The advice earlier to not move increases this effect tenfold.
  • Long range shooting: This type of shot will be from {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} and beyond.
  • If you have not seen anyone for a while and you have only 1 round in your mag, it's a good idea to reload during the lull rather than in combat.

Warnings

  • Snipers don't get a lot of points if you aren't making kills.
  • Snipers are extremely vulnerable if caught out in the open. Check your surroundings carefully for any enemy movement before attempting to shift position.
  • It's easy to get lost in the scope. Check your surroundings every so often.

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