Sniper
The sniper is a long-ranged class with the ability to one-shot any enemy in the game (except an overhealed heavy with the Fists of Steel active, any ubercharged player, a spy with Dead Ringer active, and Bonked scouts). They are valued for their ability to get key picks without directly engaging the enemy team. In a typical 6v6 format, the sniper is considered an offclass, played only when a situation presents itself, most often when a team is at an uber disadvantage, or holding the last point. The main downfall for teams running a sniper, however, is that during an uber fight snipers are practically useless, and that they have very low direct combat abilities. Snipers primarily target the enemy Demoman and Medic, due to the ability to change the direction of a game through key picks.
6v6
Main Article: Sniper (6v6)
In 6v6, Sniper is considered an offclass, however the Sniper is one of the most common offclasses you'll see in the game. Sniper's rely on map sightlines, and tend to lay behind the front lines, in an attempt to pick off enemy players from afar. Snipers are incredibly weak against close up scouts and roaming soldiers; which is why a team should work to protect their Sniper, when they have one. Most of the time, Snipers are used to defend or attack the last point of a map. When attacking a last point, a Sniper usually attempts to pick any player available to give his team a number advantage with which to push into last.
Highlander
Main Article: Sniper (Highlander)
The Sniper is considered a pick class in highlander, used to support his teammates while sitting back away from the battle. The Sniper's main job is to kill the enemy combo and the other sniper, while taking out unsuspecting enemies in the process. He is very important for holding positions and denying area from enemies; a skilled sniper can pick off any careless players venturing into his sights, and thus can hold a team back from pushing. However, he does need protection, which usually comes in the form of a Pyro or Gunslinger Engineer. The Sniper can also use Jarate to assist in pushes, or to force pushing enemies to retreat. The sniper is often a target for the enemy team's Spy.
Primary
The standard Sniper Rifle. The Sniper Rifle deals 150 damage on a 0 charge headshot, or on a fully charged bodyshot. The longer the rifle remains scoped, the higher the amount of damage, up to a maximum 450 (with no modifiers) for a fully charged headshot. | ||
ESEA 6s legal? | Yes | |
UGC HL legal? | Yes | |
ETF2L 6s legal? | Yes | |
ETF2L HL legal? | Yes |
The AWPer Hand is a reskin of the Sniper Rifle. | ||
ESEA 6s legal? | Yes | |
UGC HL legal? | Yes | |
ETF2L 6s legal? | Yes | |
ETF2L HL legal? | Yes |
The Bazaar Bargain starts off with a slower base charge rate than the sniper rifle, but the charge rate is increased for every consecutive headshot. All shots which do not hit the head decrease the charge rate. The weapon was banned in most leagues after the 'Bazaar Bargain glitch' was discovered, whereby shots that missed also built up the charge rate. | ||
ESEA 6s legal? | Yes | |
UGC HL legal? | No | |
ETF2L 6s legal? | No | |
ETF2L HL legal? | Yes |
The Sydney Sleeper does not headshot, but charges 25% faster than the stock rifle. When the rifle is more than 50% charged, it applies Jarate to the targeted player. | ||
ESEA 6s legal? | No | |
UGC HL legal? | Yes | |
ETF2L 6s legal? | No | |
ETF2L HL legal? | Yes |
The Hitman's Heatmaker does 20% less damage on bodyshots, but gains focus from kills and assists. When the focus meter is full, the sniper rifle charges 25% faster, and stays scoped between shots. | ||
ESEA 6s legal? | No | |
UGC HL legal? | Yes | |
ETF2L 6s legal? | No | |
ETF2L HL legal? | Yes |
The Huntsman fires arrows instead of bullets, and is the only sniper primary that is not hitscan. Its projectiles are affected by gravity. | ||
ESEA 6s legal? | Yes | |
UGC HL legal? | Yes | |
ETF2L 6s legal? | No | |
ETF2L HL legal? | Yes |
The Machina does 15% more damage than the stock rifle, and its rounds penetrate players, allowing for multiple kills with one bullet. However, it is not able to fire no-scope shots, and its tracer rounds mean that the sniper's position is easily visible to the other team. | ||
ESEA 6s legal? | No | |
UGC HL legal? | Yes | |
ETF2L 6s legal? | No | |
ETF2L HL legal? | Yes |