Community Sniper strategy

The Sniper is a long range class. He and the Spy are the only classes that can headshot. In the Sniper's case, it is with the Sniper Rifle or Huntsman. Headshots are guaranteed Critical hits. Good aiming is required on your part, but this makes him deadly in the right hands. He can also use Jarate to extinguish teammates and hinder enemies, and the Tribalman's Shiv to deal lasting (and revealing) damage to Spies.

General

Your Sniper's laser dot is visible to the enemy, and if they see it you may lose the element of surprise. To avoid this, you can aim at a windowsill or a nearby object so that they cannot see the dot until you are ready to switch your aim to them. Alternatively, you can use it scare people from entering or exiting places, as most classes will not willingly go into a Sniper range, and will take another route. This tactic, however, will not work on most Scouts.

A single uncharged headshot to an enemy is usually enough to kill them. So if pressed for time always take the headshot.

Keep in mind that even in the best of hiding spots, the freezecam will give away your position the moment you kill your first victim. Therefore, it is a good idea to get a kill or two and switch locations if possible, especially after killing another Sniper. A way to avoid this is to move into an unrecognizable corner as soon as you make a kill. The enemy may not be able to recognize where you are, buying you a little more time. If you are firing from a Sniper nest, then this is less of a problem, since you are expected to be there.

If you are experienced, try to fire through unexpected angles or through small holes, making the enemy wonder how you shot them.

Keep an eye on your HUD and if you see a lot of people around you dying from backstabs, there may be a dangerous Spy nearby. If you suspect this is the case, you may wish to switch to your Melee weapon, or run. Teammates killed by a nearby Spy also often have a distinctive death cry.

Experiment with the correct mouse sensitivity. Too low, and you will have difficulty aiming at dodging enemies. Too high, and you may have problems aiming for small targets, like their heads.

To stop the automatic re-zoom of the Sniper Rifle's scope after ever shot, either press the zoom button again after firing a shot, or turn off the automatic re-zoom in the options menu.

While Snipers are classed as a support class and may seem like a defensive class, they can be used effectively on offense as well. On maps like Dustbowl, for instance, they are invaluable for peeking out and taking out enemies; particularly Engineers, their Sentry Guns, other Snipers, Demomen setting traps on the objective, and of course any part of a Medic/Heavy combo. Don't be afraid to try them on offense in more close quarters maps such as 2Fort though, especially if the enemy team is turtling in the Intelligence room.

A few charged up shots can take out buildings, which is helpful for attacking Sentry Guns if you are far enough away that the Sentry Gun does not target you. (Hitting any visible part of the Sentry Gun should do damage.)

On many maps crouching (Default key "Ctrl" for PC, "X" on 360, or "L3" on PS3) will allow you to be a much smaller target and can shift your field of vision while zoomed. For example: crouching in the back part of a front entrance in 2Fort allows you to see the upper tier of the opposing fort but makes it harder to look into the water.
- If you are entering a new area (like moving to the second Control point) try and use crouch to peek out. It will be likely the enemies have already set up a defense and are on the look out for enemies. Always remember that crouching will dramatically decrease your movement speed, but you can use this to your advantage because moving in slowly should be less noticeable than just running out.

Building off of the previous, on many maps it also allows you to hide very easily. This can be incredibly valuable in the defensive opening of Payload maps, as often Snipers have to take out an enemy Sniper before they themselves get shot. Crouch behind a hill/box after having your scope on an enemy's head. As the timer finishes, pop up and shoot before they know what's hit them.

If your field of vision will only show the body of the enemy then try a fully charged body shot - in most situations this should be enough to bring them down or enough for your teammates to finish them off.

Take out the Medic first, a fully charged body shot will usually do the trick, although as always headshots are preferable if you believe you can do it.

In a Sniper duel, pay attention to how many Snipers the enemy team has and the respawn timer. If the enemy has two Snipers and you pick them off, you may only have 10 to 12 seconds to concentrate on other targets before they try to get their revenge.

Listen carefully! If you are alone in a Sniper spot, listen for the sounds of footsteps or the Spy's uncloaking sound (Spies still make footstep sounds when cloaked) and switch to your Melee weapon if heard, it is an effective way to get the jump on Spies looking for an easy kill.

2Fort is perhaps one of the most common maps in which the Sniper can be effectively used. However, when Sniper duels occur, crouching tends to throw off enemy Snipers who commonly keep their aiming sights held where the heads of enemy Snipers normally sit. This method can grant you precious time to aim across the field and remove enemies from their battlements without openly endangering yourself.

On the map Dustbowl, after capturing the first point of the first stage, go up the stairs and continue. Once you pass the cart blocking the path, take an exit out the first doorway and snipe Sentry Guns, Dispensers, RED Snipers, etc.

If your shot is fully charged and you see one or very few enemies,it is often foolish to go for a headshot on classes you can kill with a charged bodyshot.

The Scout, Sniper and Medic can be taken out with a fully charged body shot if they are not buffed. Pyros with reduced health can also be taken out this way. It is best to headshot Soldiers and Demomen in order to keep your defense safe, and you should always try for a headshot on a Heavy, as they are the class that will cause the most trouble for your team in most situations.

A Soldier wielding an Equalizer is a sure indication that he is low on health, go for the body shot to easily take out this high priority opponent.

While you cannot be headshotted if you are equipped with the full Croc-o-Style kit, that doesn't mean you are immune from enemy Snipers. A charged hit will still kill you with a single bullet, so keeping an eye out for counter-Snipers is still important.

Weapon Specific

Example Combinations
Combo			Usage
Sniper Rifle	Razorback	Tribalman's Shiv	For a more defensive and long ranged Sniper. Contains the Sniper Rifle which provides consistently high damage from a long range. The Razorback helps defend you from Spies and the Tribalman's Shiv bleeding effect means that, although less damage is inflicted, the attacker is more likely to retreat - which is important as this combination features less close-range damage.
Huntsman	Submachine Gun	Kukri	For a more offensive and medium ranged Sniper. The Huntsman provides higher and faster damage output at a closer range while the Submachine Gun acts as a secondary defense for when you are being attacked at close range. The Kukri provides higher damage and is intended more to kill your opponent than to force them into retreat. However, this combination lacks the power that the Sniper Rifle provides at long range.

Sniper Rifle

Aim for the head. If you can't, the body is also place to shoot if you have a fully charged shot. The enemy may survive, but it'll make it easier for your teammates to finish them off. Don't fall into the trap of aiming for the head all the time, especially on low-health classes like Scouts, Engineers, medics, Spies and other Snipers.
If it's possible, be sure to have your back against a wall when zoomed in. This could save you from an unfortunate backstab.
A fully charged body shot can kill an Engineer, Scout, Sniper or Spy and might kill a Medic, so Snipers don't need to aim for their head all the time for a kill. Scouts and Spies are also very evasive classes, which means a headshot is not only unnecessary, but harder to pull off.
While no-scoping is not usually an effective technique, it can be useful at medium ranges for a body shot to weaken an enemy allowing you to follow up with either the SMG or your Melee weapon. It does roughly 40-50 damage, which when used in combination with the SMG, Kukri or Tribalman's Shiv is very effective.
While the Sniper Rifle never Crits randomly, it will still cause critical damage when you are ÜberCharged with the Kritzkrieg, or during Humiliation; meaning that you don't need to aim for the head to do critical damage in these situations.
The crosshair moves slower when the Sniper is zoomed in than normal; it is more efficient to aim at the target's head before zooming in, reducing the amount of finer aiming required. Remember to wait for the Sniper Rifle to charge if targeting a Pyro, Demoman, Soldier, or Heavy, as these classes can survive an uncharged headshot.
Although it is safest to maintain as far a distance as possible from the battle, the Sniper is also proficient at medium range since the hitboxes will become bigger; a missed shot at long range may hit at shorter ones.
If an opposing Sniper is carrying the Croc-o-style kit, hit him with a full charged bodyshot rather than a headshot; the Croc-o-style kit prevents him from dying to a headshot (he will be left with 1 hp), but a fully charged bodyshot will still kill him in one shot, provided he is not buffed by an opposing Medic.
When you zoom in with the Sniper scope you will see the charge meter. The following is a general list of the minimum percentage of the total charge needed to get a one shot kill with the Sniper Rifle if the enemy has full health. The number in parentheses is the amount it takes if the enemy is buffed to 150%. A fully charged shot to the body will not kill any class that is fully buffed.

Note: If random damage spread is not disabled, body shot percentages will vary.

Scout

HEAD - 0% (12%)
BODY - 75% (135%)

Soldier

HEAD - 17% (50%)
BODY - 150% (250%)

Pyro

HEAD - 9% (37%)
BODY - 125% (210%)

Demoman

HEAD - 9% (37%)
BODY - 125% (210%)

Heavy

HEAD - 50% (100%)
BODY - 250% (400%)

Engineer

HEAD - 0% (12%)
BODY - 75% (135%)

Medic

HEAD - 0% (25%)
BODY - 100% (175%)

Sniper

HEAD - 0% (12%)
BODY - 75% (135%)

Spy

HEAD - 0% (12%)
BODY - 75% (135%)

Take note that there are exceptions to this as some weapons change the amount of health of classes. The following is a list of the minimum percentage of the total charge needed to get a one shot kill with the Sniper Rifle if the health-altered enemy has full health. It is in the same fashion as the list above.

Scout wearing The Special Delivery Set

HEAD - 0 (25%)
BODY - 100% (175%)

Demoman wielding The Eyelander with no heads

HEAD - 0 (25%)
BODY - 100% (175%)

Engineer with the Gunslinger

HEAD - 0 (25%)
BODY - 100% (175%)

Huntsman

Because the Huntsman arrows travel slightly slower than a bullet (being a projectile), try to lead your target. Look at where they are headed and estimate their arrival. Try to line it up so they will be strafing into the direction of the arrow.

Huntsman arrows leave a highly-visible color trail when shot. Much like the Flare Gun and Rocket Launcher, it is very obvious to everyone watching where the shot came from. So be aware every time you take a shot, that you are effectively broadcasting your position.

If there is cover nearby, you will usually want to duck back behind it after every shot. Don't stick around to see if your shot hit. Listen instead! When the Huntsman hits a person, it makes a distinctive sound which is always audible to the Sniper who fired it, no matter how far away the target is. Learn to listen for this, and use it to tell if your arrows hit. Headshots make a separate distinctive noise.

Don't be afraid to shoot "cover fire". Take shots at likely areas, even if you don't see anyone there at the moment. (Particularly if you don't care about giving up your position or are on the move.) For example: On 2Fort, people often come running off or across the battlement, so aiming arrows at head-height on the battlement (especially right at the edge of cover, where Snipers often lurk) can (if you're lucky) often catch surprised people right as they come around the corner.

In general, using the Huntsman against a Sniper with a Rifle is a bad idea. Unless you are at medium-close range, the instant travel-time of the Rifle's hitscan bullets will destroy any advantage you might have.
- However, you can be "out of phase" from his cover/shoot cycle and still deal damage. You can set an arrow into flight towards where he shoots from before he pops out from cover to target you. Some Snipers have a particularly predictable rhythm to their cover/shoot timing.
If you equip the Razorback, try to stay near a place that has ammo. Since the Razorback cannot damage an enemy, your only ranged attack would be the Huntsman and with only 13 arrows to shoot and a Kukri, Bushwacka, or Tribalman's Shiv for close combat.

Before going around a corner, have your Huntsman fully drawn. That way, if an enemy does come out at you, you'll be ready for him. If no one is there, use alt-fire so you don't waste an arrow and don't lose accuracy from drawing it too long.

Keep in mind that arrows curve downwards a little bit. Understand the arrow's trajectory before firing, and bear in mind that the trajectory will change slightly depending on your "charge level" when you release the arrow.

Always use the Alt-Fire button to put away your drawn arrow if you're not going to fire. With only 13 arrows, it's best not to waste one. And with the colored streak flying across the air, you don't want to give away your position to the enemy.

Stay in a spot that is best suited to the Huntsman's effective range. It's much easier to kill an enemy in a tight mid-range combat situation for most people than it is to kill an enemy that has plenty of room to strafe and dodge your arrows.

Because your arrows follow a curved trajectory, it is often possible to hit targets out of your line of sight by firing into known hiding spots. These are commonly rooms at a higher level than yourself where attackers congregate. Note that arrows arc more, the lower the charge. So when trying to arc them into rooms you can't see into, it is often preferable to NOT charge them, and try to get them at the right level for a headshot instead.

Use corners to your advantage: Fire a fully charged arrow and then duck back behind a corner to avoid incoming damage. Remember, you only have 125 Health.

Friendly Pyros can light your arrows on fire, even when you do not have one drawn. These arrows will not do extra damage on a hit, but will light the target on fire.

Since the Huntsman charges faster than the Sniper Rifle, it can deliver more damage over a short period of time. This is useful for outpacing the healing or repairing of a Medic or Engineer on a stubborn player or building. Coordinating with another Huntsman-using Sniper can bring down an enemy Sentry Gun very quickly as well.

Skewer

If you know an enemy is about to go around a corner after you, try to do the taunt right as they come around the corner within range. It's alright if you don't hit the initial puncture, just make sure that when you remove the arrow, they are within range and they will die.

The arrow stab is the fastest taunt-kill in the game, and unlike most taunt-kills it can be considered a serious combat tactic. Use this to your advantage if you believe you don't have time to switch to a different weapon, or you aren't confident you can kill your opponent at close range with an arrow. In particular, if you can catch a Heavy firing his Minigun or eating his Sandvich and he's unaware of you it makes for a fairly easy (and humiliating) kill. However, keep in mind you need to live long enough to actually remove the arrow for the taunt to actually kill. Another situation where the taunt can be useful is if you are stunned by a Sandman using Scout; often the Scout will rush up to you and attempt to kill you point blank after stunning you with his ball, and will not expect you to be able to respond.

Be careful when using the arrow stab on fast opponents. You may find that your initial stun hit will land only for them to go out of range of the killing arrow removal.

Taunts can be used while stunned. If you are stunned by a Sandman wielding Scout, start your Huntsman taunt while facing him. If he doesn't have the Force-A-Nature (which can cause knockback and cancel the taunt) and gets close enough, you can kill him while you are stunned. This taunt can also be used to counter another Sniper's arrow taunt, you are already in range and unless the other Sniper knows what's going on, you can get an easy kill. If the other Sniper does figure it out, the two of you may be stuck stunning each other until a third party intervenes.

The Skewer taunt can still stun Ubered opponents. Though they are still impervious to the damage of the arrow being removed, you've still caused them to waste a few precious seconds of their charge.

The Skewer taunt's stabbing stun effect, is useful for other enemies to land a hit just in case the enemy falls out of range from the kill.

Sydney Sleeper

Snipers with less than average aim should opt to use The Sydney Sleeper over the Rifle. You're able to deal a good amount of damage and apply the Jarate effect without having to aim for heads.

If you have a large group of allies with you, it's possible to only get enough charge to apply the Jarate effect to targets, and quickly weaken the other team for your allies to adequately finish off.

The Sydney Sleeper + Submachine Gun (SMG) can be an very lethal combination. If you hit a shot charged enough (50%) to cover your target in Jarate, a single clip of the SMG can deal about 250 (if you hit every bullet), without the dart damage itself.

The Sydney Sleeper is a great unlock if you want the Jarate Mini-Crit bonus without giving up on the SMG or another secondary slot unlock.

While it lacks the area of effect Jarate has, you can still cover a far away target in Jarate and give extra help to your teammates.

Remember that the Jarate effect doesn't take place if you are un-scoped or with a charge under 50%.

The Sydney Sleeper cannot headshot, a serious handicap, but you can still charge your shots, like the Original Sniper Rifle.

The Jarate effect can be a huge help for your team against high health targets such as Heavies and Soldiers. With the Sydney Sleeper you won't be able to kill them outright if they are at full health, but you can weaken them and expose them to Mini-Crits from a distance so your other teammates can finish them off.

The Sydney Sleeper is also a good choice for "no-scoping" snipers; simply hit a 50% charged shot to put the Jarate effect on your target, and every shot you connect with thereafter will automatically be a Mini-Crit regardless of whether you zoom in or not.

Using the Sydney Sleeper on approaching enemies will work well if you have the the Bushwacka, as you'll likely be able to kill them in one hit if you've hit them with a fully charged shot.

Jarate works as a great deterrent; shooting an enemy coming towards the front lines will make them think again about running into a fight, which will buy your team more time and possibly deter other enemies from proceeding into your sightlines.

Submachine Gun

The Submachine Gun (SMG) isn't the most effective in a one-on-one scenario, so try and use your Sniper Rifle to fire a no scoped shot into the body of your enemy, then quickly switch to the Submachine Gun to finish them off. It is important to make every shot with this weapon count, so aim carefully and keep your crosshair trained on the enemy rather than just spraying bullets wildly.

The SMG is useful for spraying wide areas to reveal or draw out Spies who are trying to hide in the vicinity.

While equipped along with the Huntsman, the SMG makes a good finisher weapon after bodyshotting an opponent.

The SMG can be made into a deadly weapon if combined with a 50% (or more) charged shot from the Sydney Sleeper, as the SMG's bullets will do quite a bit of damage with Mini-Crits.

Razorback

Only use the Razorback if you know the enemy has Spies on their team and/or those Spies are actively impeding your sniping. The SMG is very advantageous in hunting down Spies in your area or taking down nearby weak enemies. The other secondary item, Jarate, is excellent for keeping already-discovered Spies visible to your team or making enemies easier to kill due to its Mini-Crit effects.

Try to stay in the open with the Razorback and close to allies. If you're far off, it'll be easier for the Spy to realize that you have the Razorback equipped and effectively counterattack you with his Revolver or Ambassador. However, if you were to be in the open with your allies, the Spy might be seen and taken down before he has a chance to headshot you with the Ambassador or just kill you with the Revolver.

With the Razorback, you make an excellent 'rear guard' on maps with tight corridors or Payload maps. If you hang at the very back of the group, a Spy who would normally get quite a few backstabs from sneaking up behind will instead have to either alert you by breaking your shield, or try and go around you to get unshielded friendlies in-front of you. Either option is quite a bit more inconvenient than if you hadn't been there in the first place.

The only way to get a Razorback once it's been used is to get another one from a resupply cabinet. Remember to do this every time you have the chance to avoid getting backstabbed by another Spy.

Even with the Razorback equipped the Sniper is still vulnerable to Spies, since the Sniper cannot see his immediate surroundings when zoomed in. 3 shots from a Revolver and 2 shots (including one headshot) from an Ambassador will kill a Sniper quickly; check for Spies periodically and stay alert for the Spy's decloaking sound to survive.

Darwin's Danger Shield

This shield raises your maximum health to 150 at the cost of losing your secondary weaponry. This allows the Sniper to be bolder in entering combat, as his survivability has increased. Consider using the Huntsman in conjunction with this to get in close(r) to the front. However, 150 is not a lot of health compared to some classes, so don't get too cocksure!

Despite its similiarity to the Razorback, you can still be backstabbed with the Danger Shield equipped. Do not hang around in Spy-friendly areas too much without backup.

Jarate

The Jarate's Mini-Crits do not stack with normal Crits. Which means you'll either score a Critical hit (ex: Headshots) or you'll get a Mini-Crit (Bodyshot).

Try to throw it at a Spy as soon as you spot him so that he can't Cloak and escape. Jarate renders the Spy's Cloak near useless, lightly displaying his team color and showing dripping Jarate particles.

You can use it to extinguish a player in case they are desperately in need and there's no Medic around.

You can also throw Jarate near your feet to extinguish yourself.

Using Jarate in combination with a friendly Pyro can be devastating due to the "tap" effects of a Pyro's Fire.

The same goes for the Sniper's own Tribalman's Shiv or a Engineer's Southern Hospitality.

Other than Pyros, Demomen and Soldiers can also make good Jarate buddies, since they have powerful area-of-effect attacks with a similar range to Jarate. This means they have a better chance of hitting the coated enemy and dealing more damage to them.

It is usually not a good idea to use the Jarate alongside The Sydney Sleeper, as both carry the same effect and offer only a minimal amount of extra utility together.

Using Jarate with the Bushwacka can be very effective by throwing the Jarate first and then striking the enemy with the Bushwacka for a guaranteed Crit, this is sometimes called Splash and Sting.

Kukri

Two blows with the Kukri are enough to kill an unbuffed Spy, Scout, Engineer, or Sniper.

In close quarters, such as many Sniper decks, the Kukri can quickly dispatch cornered enemies.

Try to use the Kukri in close quarters instead of your Primary weapon or SMG. All melee weapons have an increased chance of Critical hits so you should have an easier time killing your enemy.

Using the Kukri in addition to Jarate is an effective strategy for dealing with Spies as it makes it harder for them to get away.

Tribalman's Shiv

In many ways, the Shiv's Bleeding effect behaves much in the same way as the Pyro's afterburn. However, bleeding has the advantage of not being removed by being submerged in water, or extinguished with Jarate. Only resupply cabinets can stem the bleeding.

Use your Jarate in combination with the Shiv for bleeding Mini-Crits. One hit on a 125 hp class will kill them with the bleeding if they are coated.

Overall, the Tribalman's Shiv causes more damage than the normal Kukri but over a longer duration.

Due to the post-damage, two hits with the Tribalman's Shiv on lighter classes (Scout, Spy, Sniper and Engineer) are enough to kill them by the bleeding, unless they find an way to heal themselves within 6 seconds.

Cloaked Spies will be semi-visible when bleeding, due to a slight flicker of their Cloak and the blood effect.

Spies using the Dead Ringer won't flicker from bleeding but will still leave the blood effect revealing their location.

The Bushwacka

Because it turns Mini-Crits into Crits, it is great to use in combination with Jarate, this combination is called Splash and Sting.

If your enemies have the habit of closing in after being hit by the Sydney Sleeper, this is an excellent counter.

Unless the opposing team has an actively attacking Pyro, the Bushwacka should be used in place of the Kukri if you are not using the Tribalman's Shiv.

The Mini-Crit into Crit effect is active for any source of Mini-Crits (Buff Banner, enemy Crit-a-Cola, etc.)

The Croc-o-style Set

The main perk of this set, the immunity to death by headshots, is great when fighting predictable enemy Snipers. Upon being headshotted with a shot that would normally kill you, you will be left at 1 HP.

Despite this tempting quality, bodyshots will do the same amount of damage as usual, are easier to execute, and unless you are overhealed, will kill you regardless of your 25 health buff (if fully charged).

Also remember that you will be unable to kill heavier classes on your own unless you can successfully fire off two higher charged shots on them in quick succession, or cover them in Jarate and proceed to hit them with the Bushwacka.

Snipers that see you have Ol' Snaggletooth equipped may assume you are using the full set, and take a split second to readjust their aim to your body. Don't give the chance, and kill them quickly!

Sniping Priorities

Priorities vary and depend on the what is currently going on at the time. The following list should often, but not always, be used but if the shot is easy then you should take it. For example, if you have lots of teammates near a Medic with a Heavy, sometimes taking out the Heavy first is best since your teammates will be able to quickly control the area. If you shoot the Medic first the Heavy might hold it by himself long enough for reinforcements to arrive, but it will prevent them from using an ÜberCharge.

These four classes first:

Snipers
Medics
Heavies
Engineers

The rest in no particular order.

Soldiers
Demomen
Pyros
Scouts
Spies

Snipers are on top of the list because they allow you to cross an open space freely, and also present the biggest threat to you as another Sniper. Medics are next because they are walking health packs. They can keep the enemy alive forever and they are even more important when they have an ÜberCharge saved. Heavies are tough enemies who can hold down points. Their high health makes them very difficult for your allies to take down. Engineers are very important because their Sentry Guns can eliminate your whole team. Once he's down, your teammates won't have to worry about the Sentry Gun being repaired.

Soldiers can be dangerous if they take notice of your presence - they can strafe and fire rockets at your general direction to prevent a clean shot. Demomen are next because their sticky bombs can hold down an area really well. Once they die, their stickies will disappear which allows your team to move forward. Pyros and their awkward shaped heads make for easy kills. They can destroy your team in close combat so they must be taken down. Scouts move too fast and so you should rarely waste your time trying to get these guys. Spies are usually cloaked or disguised. If you see one, shoot it but most of the time they will be hard to find. Thus, you probably shouldn't worry about them, though if you spot one and don't see him die, call out his presence to your team, and watch your back. If you see them close to you, don't bother sniping them. Pull out your Melee weapon or SMG to take them down. Most of the time, if you get the jump on a Spy, you will kill him.

Map Specific

2Fort

Sniping from the ground floor in the dark areas near the base exits gives a relatively safe view of the upper tier.

Shooting from the water can take out the opposition on the bridge or the far bank.

Count how many Snipers the enemy has. This should be a good number to match with Snipers on your own team. No more, no less.

2Fort is an excellent Sniper's map, but as the common strategy reads, you need to switch locations. An example would be to start on the supply room side of the Sniper deck. Put your back against the corner, this gives you a clear view of the opposing team's supply room side, and helps you resist Spies. The only way Spies can really get you is though shooting or stabbing your front side which, by the time you notice, you can heal up, then kill the Spy. After a few kills, it's best to move down to the lower side, any users that may switch to Sniper will expect you to be on the Sniper deck, going down on the lower deck can really give you the advantage. Going outside and to either corner is good because this gives you the top and bottom decks of whichever side you chose, and the bridge. If you chose the left corner, you can take out any foes on the right lower deck, but is rather difficult to get good aim. Finally, going back up on the Sniper deck and sniping though the windows is a good option. The enemy will fear using the bridge, and will most likely take the water, the windows on the Sniper deck give a good view of the water. Enemy Snipers might try and corner you with each Sniper at opposite ends, it's best to take them out one by one, but the Sniper deck windows gives you a clear vantage point for the attempted counter.

Jarate is an excellent choice here. Even blind Jarate tosses can potentially coat an entire bridge push. It is also possible to hit across the bridge with Jarate from a jumping high arc throw from the battlements; this can be good if a just missed Spy that cloaked got away, and you have an approximation to his location, leaving him vulnerable to kills or forcing him to the water.

Scouts are also a problem for Snipers here, almost more so than a fellow Sniper. It's a common tactic for Scouts to rush your battlements by hopping from theirs and running the top of the bridge. Though, a quick, well timed shot at the zenith of their jump can knock them out of the sky or at worst off course and send them to the ground or water. If a Scout actually makes it across, it's for the better to fall back to a resupply and plan an ambush, or let someone better at close quarters handle the situation, however, you can make them rethink their decision by a quickly thrown Jarate, which will usually make a Scout turn tail.

Granary

Granary can be a difficult place for Snipers at times. Points 1 and 5 have long sight lines and several spots to shoot from. Most players will expect Snipers to attack from the window overlooking the right-side exit (when viewed from the last point), but this leaves Snipers vulnerable to any enemies that manage to make it up the catwalk or pipe, or worse yet, rocket-jumping Soldiers. The left-side exit (right for the attacker) is less expected as it is further from the point, yet still provides line of sight for most of the area, including a peek behind the defensive wall on the left. Remember that the struts for the pipe will block some of your line of sight in such a case.

Defense on points 1 and 5 is far easier for a Sniper, with the back right corner behind the wall being a common spot to hide in, allowing occasional picks through the right side door. Other spots used can be on the left door just outside the defending team's spawn, or on the pipe in the middle of the area, though the most common is the previously mentioned right side.

Points 2 and 4, and the areas between them and the central point, are troublesome for the Sniper. The area there is usually quite close and provides several advantages to the defenders of those areas. Snipers wishing to assault this area would be better served with the Huntsman than the Sniper Rifle. The same can be said of defending it. The lines of sight are short and the action around the point is hectic, giving the bow more advantages in this area over the rifle.

The central point offers only a few options. While the ledges overlooking the point are an obvious perch, these are watched intensely for Snipers, not to mention in perfect line of sight for Soldiers and Demomen on the crates. The wall close at the Sniper's back allows explosive damage to splash onto him easily, and the lack of cover only compounds it. A somewhat less risky option is sniping from the entrances to the point, though this will usually only allow targeting a small portion of the other team.

Due to the relative ease of travel for Spies on Granary, with numerous avenues of approach and escape, Snipers should take extra care to watch their backs. Try to avoid sniping without some (genuine) teammates nearby.

If defending the last cap as a Sniper, watch the window to Cap 2/4, the catwalk along the pipe, and the right-side entrance (from defense's view) carefully. The first is ideal for enemy Snipers and Soldiers to attack the defenders as they move to protect the point, the second is the fastest approach to the point, and the third is where the largest pushes (IE, Medic and Buddy combos) will usually emerge. As the height is with your opponents, be careful of headshots that may hit over the wall usually used as cover when defending the last point.

Well

Above your own Control Point 2 are some windows that give a great view to the building housing Control Point 3. Try hanging back from the window to squeeze in an unexpected shot on enemy Snipers.

Crouching can enable you to take out Sentry Guns underneath the carriages.

If attacking the last point as a Sniper, remember that your line of sight is better on the higher approach, but this leaves you open to any enemies who can manage to flank you. Stay alert for enemies moving on the same level as you, as the trip up to the attic from the ground is usually a long one, and most will take the direct (i.e., straight across) route.

The small space at the front of the boxcars (the side touching the building) separating teams at Point 3 is often a preferred spot to snipe through before the match starts — thus, don't hug up against that wall or the gate unless you plan to counter-snipe.

If sniping out the windows in the direction of Point 3, don't forget to check the water — enemies may sneak out of there while you're not looking, and that can end badly if they know you're up there.

Gravel Pit

When defending Point C, either side of the spawn point gives a good field of fire and relative protection from Spies due to the long run to reach it. You can also shoot into the side hallways from here.

Gravel Pit's long sight lines favor Snipers, and almost all approaches to the capture points are marked by areas that one or two Snipers can readily cover. As BLU, anticipate at least one RED Sniper with the team in each CP, and as RED, remember that BLU has several protected sniping areas that you do not.

Look for alternate attack routes, especially on Point C. It is possible to snipe distracted defenders from multiple angles and sneak away quickly to another one before they can react.

Dustbowl

When attacking Stage 1 Cap 1, go by the side shed and snipe from there. Most defenders will be hanging by the main shed; try to pick them off so the attacking players can hit the defenders hard on the main pathway. Run along the side shed pathway and try to take down any defenders teleporting to the front lines or any Engineers and their buildings.

When attacking Stage 1 Cap 1, you can also hold down a sniping spot just left of the side shed. This is a key, yet uncommon sniping point as it gives you views to the two tunnel exits, and the one above. If a battle is going on inside the main shed, and your team has limited the enemy team to the main shed, this spot is safe. The trick is to wait for any unaware enemies to come through either tunnel exits, and as always, keep your dot hidden, and you'll have your enemy running straight into bullets. This gives the rest of your team enough time to capture the point. The disadvantage is that a Spy can easily hug the canyon wall, and backstab you, and if you've been successful at this point, many enemy users will switch to Spy. As a counter to any Spy that may kill you, the side shed contains health and ammo kits, so whenever things get uneasy, fire off a clip from your SMG, then grab an ammo kit.

When defending Stage 1 Cap 1, a good Sniper spot is the flat platform by the windows of the Capture Point A building. Snipe from here to cover the main shed, the canyon, and the side shed. If there's a Sentry Gun up in the corner of the stairs in the building, it will prevent Spies from backstabbing you. However, be sure to listen to the Engineer. If you hear that it's being sapped, pull out your Kukri or Tribalman's Shiv and assist the Engineer by killing the Spy.

When attacking Stage 1 Cap 2, use the platform with the tires to Snipe the defenders. Concentrate on taking down enemy Snipers from here, if there are any. To get a good vantage point on the Capture Point, cross the bridge after leaving the grating and snipe from the platform with the three stacked boxes.

When defending Stage 1 Cap 2, look for a stack of tires back in a corner between the control point and the traditional Sniper platform above spawn. Jumping behind these tires gives you an excellent vantage point on almost all the entrances to the area, will keep most of your body protected, and nullifies Spy backstabs (though the occasional side-stab may happen, you're also nearby where Sentry Guns are normally placed, so Spies will probably go for them first, unless he is gunning for you in particular).

When defending Stage 2 Cap 1, staying back by the office is a good idea. This gives a good view of the front lines. There's a large ammo pack and medium medkit in the building, and outside by a sign, there is a large medkit. There are also some barrels in the corner that give quick access to the point for defense with your Melee weapon. You're a sitting duck for Spies there though, and being indoors, nobody will see you get backstabbed and kill the Spy before he can do more damage.

When attacking Stage 3 cap 2, enter the long hallway that contains a medium medkit. It will give you an excellent vantage point on the enemy.

Hydro

With its many configurations, Hydro is a very good Sniper map.

Sit at the back of your area and scope to the entrances. Most of the good spots are near spawn points.

On offense, a Sniper can sit in the entrances to the enemy areas and take down Sentry Guns with fully charged shots.

Try to find the more unusual and hard to reach areas to avoid Spies. After taking down enemy Snipers, change positions.

Watchtower

Watchtower has very little cover for enemies heading towards the middle, and the pipes are fairly small, not giving them much room to maneuver. This makes enemies very predictable and much easier to headshot.

A great spot in Watchtower is just to the right of the spawn area, where you can just see over the wooden fence, you can easily see enemies approaching the tower from the enemy spawn, giving you the ability to take out enemies within seconds of the round starting. Medics are the easiest to take down, as you can see their healing beam before you see them if they are healing someone.

If an enemy Sniper is using the spot above, simply move to a similar area to the left, and shoot them the second you see them. They probably will not see you as they would be focused on the pipe your team will be crossing. If you are fast enough you can take them out before they kill any of your teammates.

You can watch the control point in the tower by standing on one of the high pipes near the cliff, you should only remain there if all the remaining enemies are inside the tower. You will have to shoot out the windows before you are able to shoot them, which will tip them off and force them to duck to stay out of the way, making it easier for your teammates to catch them off guard.

If you are the last one alive and there is one enemy left in the tower, a good strategy is to shoot out one of the windows and, if you have it, throw a jar of Jarate inside and cover them with it. At this point they will be watching the direction you threw it from. Jump down from the pipe down to the staircase and make your way up behind them and finish them with your Melee weapon, they shouldn't see you coming.

Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin is good map for Snipers as each of its points has good lines of sight from either side, but also has limited areas to snipe from due to its initial linearity. As such, you may be competing with friendly Snipers for the prime spots, so try to mix things up a little, and snipe closer to the front lines than the enemy would expect you to.

The BLU Spawn is an obvious sniping spot when attacking the first area due to its darkness and being a no-go zone for Spies, but be wary of enemy Snipers positioned at the very top of the hill next to, behind and on the rock formations at the top of the hill. Conversely, the rock is a great spot for defending Snipers, as you can pick off enemies as they leave spawn or try to take pot shots up the hill (though it is worth being aware of your blind spot, in case you have no teammates standing guard or enemy Spies jumping up to stab you).

The tunnel that the cart goes through for most of the first area is a good sniping spot for both teams also as it provides a very long line of sight down the otherwise most covered part of the area, allowing you to pick off enemies as they proceed through to push/stop the cart.

The second area of the map is another Sniper-friendly one, with narrow but key sightlines coming from the top of the hill where the rocks are all the way to just next to RED's forward spawn/shortcut. On attack, this view can be used to effectively lock down the area that spans the back of the second point by preventing them from running over to the stairs/roof building directly, and forcing them to take Teleporters or try tricky jumps to evade being headshot. On RED, you can aim up to the rocks where the BLU Snipers may be with ease, but it is worth noting that they may already be stationed there and ready to headshot you as soon as you poke your head out to survey the area. However, this is nevertheless a good spot, as it lets you pick off just-spawned enemies as they go over the hill, and also effectively cover the cart (which should be in such a range that you can easily deter/assist in killing any cart pushers with Jarate).

Attackers can also take advantage of the building found at the very back of the courtyard behind the second point, by sniping enemies on the roof/coming up the stairs from the ground floors (especially effective when the defenders still consider it a 'safe' zone and position their Medics or Engineer buildings on the back of the roof). However, being such a far off spot with covered routes to it, it becomes easy for Spies and Scouts to quickly make their way up to you and take you out if you are alone (it is also subject to Soldiers and Demomen as they can rocket/sticky jump on to the sniping balcony from the roof with little effort).

A BLU Sniper can also elect to jump onto the rock outcroppings in the courtyard, and have clearer sightlines to Engineers who would otherwise be behind cover if you were to snipe from the building. However, you yourself will be exposed and will have to escape quickly if you are detected by the RED team.

The roof at the second point can be used by BLU Snipers when the cart is being pushed from the second to the third points, but it only covers 2/3 of the distance to the third point, and also is in the main line of sight of Snipers aiming up from the dip the cart goes down the ramp into. It can however be safely used for sniping enemies going in and out of the house above the dip, as you can snipe both enemies coming and going via the back entrance as well as going up the stairs from the near side. It is for this reason that it is not advisable to snipe from said house on the defending team when aiming at rooftop enemies, as it is a blind chokepoint and so subject to a lot of Grenade Launcher and other spam.

Attacking Snipers can snipe up at the third point from the dip near where the full health and ammo packs are, and have a good wall to hide behind, but are in risk because the spot is just within a Heavy's effective Minigun range as well as grenade range, meaning it will be difficult to get a clear shot. You can also go through the newly opened left corridor to get a better view of the third point, but it is in the prime sightlines of RED Snipers due to being such an effective spot and is also a chokepoint for long range rockets and grenades, most likely coming from the building on the left (which may have a Sentry Gun on its balcony, rendering this area almost inaccessible).

On the defending team RED Snipers can aim out of the windows in the buildings overlooking the point, as they provide great coverage and are dark and brown enough to help you blend in with them slightly, throwing the aim of enemy Snipers slightly. The middle window is the most effective, as it allows you to see all of the cart's route from the dip onwards, and it protects you from Snipers hiding in the far right buildings. However, the window is low enough to arc grenades and Stickybomb Launcher into easily, and it is secluded enough that a Spy can backstab you without any teammates around you noticing. Alternatively, the concrete pipes slightly past the third point can be used as a safer sniping point, but compromises your vision in return.

BLU Snipers at the last point can snipe from the concrete pipes next to the third point to target any Snipers or players coming out of the upper left spawn exit (from the attackers' view), and can also crouch to safeguard yourself against other Snipers temporarily. You can also snipe directly from the top of the last ramp the cart goes down, but it is a large risk as it is a commonly stickied area, and is also the edge of a safe zone for enemy Spies (them being able to stab you and directly run down the ramp to safety). Alternatively, the window in the top tower can be used, as can the windows in the right buildings nearer the upper enemy spawn, but these are both in the enemy Sniper's view from either of their spawns.

Snipers defending the last point can do so from the relative safety of their upper spawn doors, as they can easily aim and hide from enemies by retreating into spawn, but run the risk of being backstabbed if they stay still for too long. If the cart has already been pushed to the bottom of the ramp and enemies are pushing, picking the upper left spawn is probably the best as you can see the prime sniping BLU sniping spots instantly, and can effectively fire down on the cart area with relative ease (and if worst comes to worst, it's within range to throw some Jarate, jump down and attempt a last stand with the Kukri or Tribalman's Shiv).

Gorge

Gorge is a good map for Snipers as it has very open sightlines for both sides and also a large aount of cover (such as over hills or behind props and corners) to hide from incoming fire/other Snipers. Most of these sightlines work both ways, so both teams can use them (though some are more efficient for one team than they are for the other).

On attack, sniping the first area is somewhat difficult as all the spawn exits will be watched periodically by enemy players, though not necessarily all at the same time. For example, the far left door may go unnoticed while the far right or middle doors may be the targets of a lot of projectile spam. When scoping out of whichever exit you choose, be sure to look for enemy Snipers first and take them out as necessary (particularly if they are looking the other way).

Support any charges out of the spawn with Jarate if you have it, as it will help in disorienting and weakening any enemies who are otherwise locking down your spawn doors. If you hang back you may also see enemy Spies run in from their hiding spots, so keep any eye out for them and try to kill them or warn your team of them quickly.

If you are using the Huntsman, try to fire arrows out of different doors at different times to distract the enemy as to where you're going to be next. That said, be careful of enemy Rifle Snipers as they can kill you and evade your arrows even if you aim directly at them.

When defending the first area, try to spend your time throwing Jarate at the enemy spawn entrances to deter or hinder their pushes, chase up any possible Spies you see and snipe the doors furthest away from you (for instance, standing in the right windows to attack the far left BLU spawn door). This will let you deal with any Snipers trying to take you down and also eliminate any threats that your team mates may be too far away from to deal with (like a spun up advancing Heavy or a charging Medic).

The areas either side of the first point are good for Snipers on both teams as they allow them to look over the central bridge where the point is located AND look to the other side to take out enemy Snipers. However, these places are also mostly out in the open with only a few pieces of cover, so try to mix up the places where you snipe from a little.

When on offense, sniping from the left side will allow you to cover the very far left, middle, right garage door and right ledges on the defenders' side. This is good for taking out Snipers trying to hide in the garage, and you can crouch to hide behind the crest of the hill. However, the open area behind the hill and the various alcoves make it an easy place for Spies to uncloak and stab/shoot you. The right side compensates for this by being easily seen and cramped (so Spies will have a hard time remaining stealthy) but conversely this works against you by making you stand out and giving you limited escape routes.

On attack, you can also snipe through the windows next to the bridge. Be careful of Spies and Scouts though, as they can both easily access them and hide in the shadows to surprise you should you stand still for too long.

Defending Snipers can hide in the garage door on the left to keep themselves out of sight, behind the crates next to the point, in the windows on the right and at the back of the far right area behind the concrete blocks. All these areas will hide you briefly and give you more of a window to shoot other Snipers, as well as anybody who enters your sightlines. Unfortunately, some of these areas are popular for [Sentry Gun|Sentry] placement, so be careful and choose an unoccupied spot that won't have any other players to draw attention to you.

If you are using the Huntsman or Jarate, fire arrows/throw it on the point when the BLU team has made their charge. With the amount of people on the point, you're highly likely to hit and possibly kill someone with any arrows you fire, and saturate everyone on the point thanks to Jarate's large radius.

The rooms and corridors between the first and last points are where the Huntsman shines, as they range from a small to medium length and more often than not heavier classes such as Soldiers and Heavies will move in predictable lines due to the limited space, making aiming a lot easier.

The walkways on the upper floors are also good for Huntsman Snipers as it becomes impossible for enemies to move out of the way at close quarters without falling off. Alternatively if you've run out of arrows, use the Kukri or Tribalman's Shiv in combination with Jarate to deal lasting damage if you or your team doesn't finish the enemy off.

The last point is difficult to attack as a Sniper as it has a very limited selection of places to snipe safely from, only offering the main door (which has crates but these are very easy to reach as a Spy or Scout), the upper walkways (which Soldiers and Demomen can jump up to) and the left corridor (that will always have people running through, attracting attention to your sniping). As such, keep changing your location as much as possible and try to stay out of the areas where you know enemy Snipers will be aiming (such as to the right side of the main doorway to the point).

Like with the previous point, on RED you can easily snipe on either side at the opposite side and maintain a safe spot, jumping down to the actual point as necessary to get health ammo. In the event of the BLU team pushing in, once again be sure to throw Jarate and use your Huntsman/Kukri/Shiv to deal damage, also buying time for your team to jump down by stopping the cap and possibly stopping the BLU team's impending victory.

Junction

Using the rifle on Junction is fairly ineffective, as there are few areas where the distance between you and your target will be longer than the Huntsman can manage. As such, using the Huntsman is recommended as it can be used effectively in nearly any part of the map (its fire-and-forget playstyle is also useful when trying to lay down suppressing fire through chokepoints).

Jarate is usually the best option for this map on either team, as the tight space means you'll often splash multiple enemies and Spies will have little space to dodge in once you have soaked them. However, be careful of your teammates when throwing Jarate, as the corridors may cause the jar to break on them and not your enemies if used in an enclosed area.

Attack

At points A and B, use the Huntsman to take quick shots out of the spawn doors before retreating back in to evade any projectile spam from outside. If you feel you can act fast enough, use the Rifle to increase the likelihood of your shots hitting.

When your team is charging for the point, hang back and aim toward the doors or corridors that go to C. This will be where enemy reinforcements come through, and if you either fire arrows or train your laser dot in a clearly visible spot, it will deter the RED team from coming through.

If there are multiple enemies on the point, throw Jarate onto it through a doorway. This will make any pushes onto the point from your team a lot more effective, and may scare off valuable targets such as Medics or Heavies if timed right.

Do not use the SMG for Spychecking or killing Spies going in for the kill, as it is far too slow in terms of damage and it will allow them to make a quick getaway through the numerous corridors. Instead, use Jarate and/or the Tribalman's Shiv to put pressure on the Spy and make him easily trackable.

At C, try attacking solo from different angles via the many different doorways. This will make the enemy's job of staying out of potential sniping zones a lot harder, and also may allow you to get into a Sentry Gun's blind spot.

If you are attacking C from the connecting B corridors, try to fire arrows around the corner at the middle windows. This will allow you to freely attack the main area assuming there are no Sentry Guns present on the left side of the near walkway (the Rifle can also be used here, though you will not be able to retreat after firing immediately, in case of a Soldier, Scout or Demoman jumping into the windows).

Defense

Use Jarate to make points easier to retake if the BLU team are capturing them. This will enhance the effect of Soldiers, Demomen and Pyros directly attacking the point, and the combination of explosive damage, fire damage and Jarate will finish off any enemies quickly.

Use the Sniper Rifle to aim directly at the BLU spawn doors from the safety of the raised areas around the points, as you will be able to kill enemies instantly instead of having to predict when they are going to come out fo the spawn with the Huntsman.

Spycheck people regularly with Jarate or the Tribalman's Shiv. This will prevent any sudden attacks from the corridors behind or between A and B, and allow your team to quickly identify them as a threat should you die.

When defending C, you can stand on the top right ledge with the Rifle to pick off any targets trying to come through the far left corridors from B. However, be careful of Spies coming up behind you, along with the usual threats of enemy Snipers and long range rockets from the far left left.

Pipeline

General

The long sightlines and lack of cover make this a very good map for Snipers. Set up with your teammates to deny the enemy access to corridors, doorways and their cart.

The abundance of shortcuts and flanking routes render Spies a very dangerous threat. Always keep an eye out for them sneaking around. Don't be afraid to Spy check any suspicious teammates.

Toss Jarate on the enemy cart while they are pushing it, there will likely be many enemies to be coated. This will make it much easier for your teammates to kill them.

Section 1

Stay near your spawn while defending your base so that respawned teammates can keep you safe and check for Spies.

Move up to the center when possible to support your team, keeping the enemy from using their main spawn exit doors under the threat of headshots.

The side route on the left as you exit your base will take you to an elevated platform behind the enemy. This will provide you with a good view of the enemy base until they spot you. Be aware that Soldiers and Demomen will attempt to rocket/sticky jump into your hiding spot.

Section 2

The long, main corridor is perfect for sniping, as there is almost no cover for the other players. Be aware that you do not have any cover either, so be careful of incoming rockets, grenades or opposing Snipers.

There are numerous ways to get behind you in your base, so be sure to check these paths occasionally in case of Spies, Scouts or other enemy players.

Section 3

The Sniper bunker attached to your spawn can be the best location to snipe the opposing team from. There is a pathway up to the bunker so be aware of any incoming attacks and flanking players.

Focus on removing the enemy teams Snipers first, as they are the most dangerous to your team on this section.

The carts are usually hotly contested, keep an eye out for anyone moving the enemy cart and attempt to kill them, slowing their progress.

Use your long sight lines to warn teammates of incoming attacks from above or below.

Community Sniper strategy

Contents

General

Weapon Specific

The Croc-o-style Set

Sniping Priorities

Map Specific

Attack

Defense

General

Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

See also

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