Anti-Sniper strategy

“

(mocking Sniper) No worries mate! (laughs) Click to listen — The Spy

”

The Sniper spends most of his time at long range to make up for his lack of a close-range means of self-defense.

General

• Staying at range, especially in the open, is a death wish against Snipers. Close the distance!
• If you can't hide in open spaces, never stop moving. If you stand still, you'll be an easy target for enemy Snipers.

Weapon Specific Tips

A list of useful tidbits about the Sniper's tools, and how to best counter them.

Primary Rifles

• Snipers will have their aim disrupted when taking damage, especially from sources like Bleeding and Burning.
• Firing projectiles from range will intimidate the Sniper into dodging, denying him the time to take a clean shot.
• Scoped Snipers have a very limited field of vision. Attack them from the back or the side to catch them by surprise.
• Scoped Snipers also create a team-colored dot wherever their rifle is pointed. Try to stay out of an area where you can see such dots.

Sniper Rifle

• Light classes can be killed with an uncharged headshot. Be careful of attacking a skilled Sniper head-on.
• A Sniper may attempt to weaken you with unscoped shots before charging at you with his Knife. Try to keep mobile and keep of out his melee range.

Sydney Sleeper

• The Sydney Sleeper requires the Sniper to be scoped in for some time before able to do significant damage. This makes him an easier target.
• If a Sniper with the Sydney Sleeper jarates you, keep your distance, as he will be likely to follow up with a melee attack with the Bushwacka or Kukri.

Huntsman

• Huntsman arrows are difficult to see, and as a result, difficult to avoid. Be sure to constantly strafe to get a glimpse of the arrow's flight path.
• Snipers cannot fire arrows while airborne. Use skills like juggling and airblast to keep the Sniper airborne to deny him a shot.
• Snipers cannot fire arrows while underwater, but they can still fire into water, so consider where you retreat.
• Watch Sniper's animations before closing in for a melee kill: if he waves his right arm to catch an arrow, try to not get too close and to elude his taunt kill.

Submachine Gun

• The Submachine Gun is surprisingly accurate but ineffective at longer ranges. If a Sniper attempts to attack you with his Submachine Gun, try to move away from him while attacking with a more accurate weapon.
• The Submachine Gun does not deal much damage per shot, but it will quickly stack with sustained fire. Keep an eye on your health.

Razorback

• The Razorback deprives its user of a Secondary weapon, take advantage of this by fighting the Sniper just outside of melee range.

Darwin's Danger Shield

• Unlike the Razorback, this shield does not protect the Sniper from backstabs.
• Do not underestimate the health of a Sniper using the Shield; take advantage of his lack of a secondary weapon and kill him outside of his melee range.

Jarate

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• Jarate can be removed by extended Healing, entering water, or touching a Supply Cabinet.
• It may be better to retreat if covered in Jarate, especially if the enemy Sniper is equipped with the Bushwhacka.
• If you are covered in Jarate, stay away from danger, as explosives and bullets will quickly kill you.

Kukri

• A Sniper will generally only use the Kukri as a weapon of last resort. Simply back up and finish the Sniper off.

Tribalman's Shiv

• Although this weapon does less damage than the Kukri at first, the bleeding causes it to do more damage over time. If you are bleeding, try to find a Medic or a health kit quickly.

Bushwacka

• If you are covered in Jarate, keep your distance from a Sniper using the Bushwacka. Each swing will deal a Critical hit.
• The Bushwacka makes the Sniper 20% more vulnerable to burn damage.
• If you see the minicrit effect over the Bushwacka of an enemy Sniper, DO NOT let him catch up with you. Just get to mid range and try to defend yourself, as his knife will deal full critical hits.

The Croc-o-style Kit

• A headshot still deals damage against Snipers using this set. It does not kill them, but it does bring them down to one health point.
• A Sniper using this set cannot headshot, and has no secondary weapon. Exploit this by using flanking techniques to engage the Sniper at close range.

See also

• Sniper strategy
• Community Sniper strategy
• Sniper match-ups
• Team strategy