I enjoy playing TF2, and I've been spending the past half year trying to touch up on my skills.
The only problem I have is playing Sniper. A lot of professionals tell me it's an easy class, that it's simply and Point and Click class. However, I have experienced multitudes of problems. I can't consistently get headshots unless I stand absolutely still, something which tends to get me killed. Also, I have trouble predicting where enemies move.
I've seen many videos of competitive snipers who take less than 2 seconds to aim, shoot, and get headshots.
How can I improve upon playing Sniper? Are there any secrets to playing this class?
Best Answer
Here's a quick situational guide to playing the Sniper in TF2. Adapt the tips to fit your own play-style.
Unless stated otherwise, I'll be using 2Fort for my examples of placement within this guide.
Note: This was written back in 2013. Some details may not be accurate anymore.
General Advice
Sniper Rifles
Jarate
Why not the Razorback?
You shouldn't use the Razorback because spy checking isn't hard. As long as you check your back every few seconds between shots, you should be fine. The benefits of Jarate far outweigh the one-time use of the Razorback.
Game Modes
Arena
Capture the Flag (CTF)
Capture Point (CP) and King of the Hill (KotH)
Capture Point and King of the Hill really straightforward. Dispatch enemies, assist in caps where you can. Take down snipers, engies and sentries first, then use logic to do the rest.
Payload (PL)
Special Delivery
For special delivery, your first task is to pick off anyone who might try to pick up the Australium before your team can. If no one on your team is alive/available to cap the Australium, attempt to pick up the Australium no matter what, even if it'll kill you. At the very least you'll buy your team some time before the enemy runs off with it.
After that, your task is to stay back near spawn and dispatch enemies from afar. Your primary target is the EFC, Engines and Sentries.
Sniper vs Sniper
Fighting other snipers is by far one of the most rewarding and at the same time stressful experiences I've had in TF2.
When the enemy team only has one sniper:
A good enemy sniper will:
The solution to these tactics is:
When the enemy team has multiple snipers:
This is a tricky subject, and depends on how good your enemy snipers are. Some enemy snipers are so bad that you can literally drop them in one second flat (or even completely ignore their presence altogether), and then proceed to engage the other snipers who know what they're doing.
In most cases, strafing and peeking out for medium-long periods of time will result in your immediate death. Instead, focus on randomizing your location to impose a sense of fear on the other snipers. A sniper will be much less effective against you if he has to watch multiple areas of the map. (Especially when he has no guarantee how/where you will kill him.)
Fisticuffs, Aussie Style
Skill hardly plays a part when meleeing another sniper. Jarate him and bushwhack him before he does the same to you. Strafe while throwing Jarate, and then go in for the kill.
If he gets you with Jarate first and is within close range, ignore your own jarate and simply bushwhack him. At the very least, you'll damage him with the potential to crit him.
Sniper vs Spy
In close combat, spies are incredibly irritating. (Especially when a frontal stab registers as a facestab.)
In the event that two or more spies are in the immediate area, there's a good chance you'll die. Do your best to Jarate them all and strike as many as you can. Even if you die, a teammate will likely notice them and finish them off for you. (Any class with burst will drop them instantly)
Sniper vs Pyro
"One shudders to think what lies behind that mask."
A battle with a pyro is not fun. You usually have less than three seconds before the fight is over.
Sniper vs Heavy
At far range, heavies are pretty easy to kill. (Provided they're alone)
If they have a medic, it will require a full charge to dispatch a heavy. (Sometimes another uncharged headshot after that)
If the heavy is within close range, you're probably already dead. If there's an escape route, by all means get out of there. If it's just you two, and there are other friendly teammates in the area, Jarate him before you die. If it's likely that the jarate will wear off by the time he meets the next friendly teammate, try to get a quick headshot in. (Or noscope)
If he has a teammate with him, try to kill him instead. (If you dispatch the medic before your demise, you've done your team a huge favor)
In the very rare event that the heavy isn't firing in your general direction, Jarate him and strike him twice. (Three times if he's fully overhealed) He should drop dead.
Sniper vs Scout
"Here lies Scout - he ran fast and died a virgin."
Scouts are regarded by many as the "anti-sniper".
At far range, they can be difficult to snipe due to their small frame and quick reflexes. Do your best to get in a body shot - their low health means that a headshot isn't always required to kill them. (Although it is much more rewarding)
At medium range, Jarate them and do what feels best. You can charge him and bushwhack him, or you can no-scope and try to drop him that way.
At close range, don't bother with Jarate. A scout can drop you before you know it at close range, so just melee away - 1-2 hits usually drops them.
Sniper vs Medic
Medics are simple to kill in most cases - their limited offense and well-contrasted appearance makes them an easy target.
At medium-far range, just headshot them. End of story.
At close range, Jarate and Bushwhack.
Don't be stupid - try to avoid their needles/arrows if at all possible. Those can kill you.
Sniper vs Engineer
Engineers themselves are another easy class to kill.
At far range, do your best to kill him with a headshot before attempting to shoot down his structures.
Once he's dead (or otherwise gone), it's sentry first, then teleporter, then dispenser.
At medium range, either quickscope or noscope him - if you miss the second shot, he'll probably kill you with his shotgun or pistol.
At close range, just bushwhack him. His wrench packs a punch; by the time you jarate him he'll probably kill you.
Sniper vs Demoman and Soldier
Soldiers and Demomen are pretty straightforward - at far range, kill them like you would anyone else.
At close range, they risk killing themselves with their explosives, so they'll probably switch to a melee weapon. Be tactful and try to get in one strike at least before they switch to their melee weapon.
When you see a demoman/soldier rocket jump in your direction, do your best to evade their landing. If they are going to land near you, try to time a jarate in their general landing zone so that you can bushwhack them as soon as they land.
Conclusion
Snipers are a very powerful class in that they can one-shot most other classes, they are mobile, and they can prevail in most situations if one uses the right technique.