Spec-Ops and Sniper Tactics

[Tactical_Marksman]

Hello all, I go by Tactical_Marksman in BF2 and Selectedmarksman in Americas Army and the AWBansunset.com forums. Someone stole my callsign for BF2 :evil:

For those of you who bothered to read this, I offer a couple of the dirty little secrets I've learned so-far. I'll lead off with a T_M original Spec-Ops tactic and finish with a Sniper tutorial (not just a rehash of what I've read here so far).

===HAHO Evilness===
This is one of my personal favorite evil tricks in BF2. It's silent, sinister, and simple. HAHO stands for High-Altitude, High-Open parachute jumps. To do this trick all you'll need is a plane and a buddy, with both of you in Special Forces Kits.

You and your buddy will take one of your team's jets (or even better, hijack an enemy jet) and fly it near an enemy held flag. Now, nose up and hit the afterburners. Get to about 1500 or 2000 Altitude and both bail-out. Open your chutes as soon as possible. Fly in silently the rest of the way towards your objective under canopy, use your map as you won't be able to see the ground. Even if the enemy can see you on their maps due to UAV or Scan, they won't know where the **** you are. Spiral around the objective until you can see the target through the haze. Now it gets fun. ;)

Flair your parachute (pull back to slow forward motion) and start dropping your C4 kits. They will continue to move forward some as they fall, just like bombs, so you may need practice aiming. Between you and your buddy, you should be able to saturate area around the flag. As you come in for final approach, hit the detonators. BOOM!!! You have just hit the LZ with as much firepower as a full artillery strike all at once. Any enemy infantry, technicals, or armor will be wiped out. :D

Land and capture the enemy flag, now that you have it all to yourself. Naturally, they'll come running once they get over their "WTF?!" moment, but you should be gone by then. If not, you can always call in an artillery strike to blow them to hell when they swarm the flag in an overreacting effort to recapture it. Keep your head down and just toss frags over your cover while all Hell comes down around you and pray. In this case, you and your friend may become casualties, but that's two friendly player lives that can eliminate two full artillery waves worth of enemy, with a flag capture to boot. God I love this stuff. :cool:

[EDIT: Oh, did I mention this is a great way to get your Para badge? ;) ]

===High Body-count Sniping (how to):===
1) To kill your enemy you have to stay alive. Find sniper-hides that offer both concealment AND cover. THESE ARE NOT THE SAME. Bushes and wooden fences provide visual concealment but do not cover you from incoming fire in BF2. Shape, Shine, and Sillouette are your enemies. Stay prone, whenever possible and blend your form with nearby objects. If in a building, don't sit AT the window, sit back in the room. Your field of fire will be reduced, but you will be invisible to anyone but another sniper looking directly at you. Also, if you think you've been spotted DON'T MOVE. Movement attracts the eye, especially in a computer game. Slither into your positions and stay put, or an enemy sniper will put you away. If you pay attention to this fieldcraft, you can place yourself in the midst of a target-rich environment and not be discovered (such as near or over an enemy base). Target-rich environments are what will put your kill-count through the roof (40+ per round) but only if you are crafty enough to survive in them.

2) Now that you're thinking like a sniper, try thinking like a COUNTER-sniper. Look at the maps from the overhead views or walk them yourselves. Find all the obviouis sniper-roosts that provide huge fields of fire (usually with little cover or on exposed roof-tops). Now, look for non-descript areas that provide good fields of fire on Flag Objectives as well as THOSE locations. BF2 hasn't been out long, but people already know where to expect snipers and are using artillery, aircraft, and hand grenades to wipe out the obvious roosts. Be subtle, be patient, be prosperous. You may think you'll get fewer kills this way, but you'll live longer and help the team by eliminating enemy snipers. Nothing is more bittersweet than living long enough to run out of ammo as a BF2 sniper.

3) Use your scope first, then use it last. When you first crawl into your chosen hide, or even WHILE crawling into it, use your scope to glass over all possible sniper-roosts with line of sight on your location. Eliminate any threats. Once in place, use your eyes to scan for movement instead of dragging your scope all over the place. Only when you've detected a target should you go to scope to stalk him. Whenever you have a lull in targets, be certain to glass those possible sniper roosts again. If you give enemy snipers a chance to find you first, not only will you be killed but your hide will be compromised for as long as you play on that server.

4) Prioritize targets. Your first priority is always a target you can actually hit. Stationary targets that offer the largest sillouette are first priority. Depending on your relative altitude this may be either standing or prone without cover. Among these, enemy snipers are number one. If you are very, very close go for a headshot if you feel like it. Our best military snipers always aim for center-mass. You may have to use two shots to drop him, but two hits to center mass are faster than five or more misses to the head. If you have to engage a moving target, watch him until he feels safe enough to run in a straight line, especially if he's running directly toward or away from you. Whenever possible, shoot when the enemy is not looking in your direction or when they are exposed from multiple directions so as not to give away your position.

5) Control the recoil. I could be mistaken, but I believe sniping in BF2 is similar to that found in AA. You need to pull down with your mouse just slightly when you pull the trigger to keep the recoil from raising your shot. I've played with both the pull and free-riding-recoil methods and am much more accurate with the pull method so far (40+ kills per round). Also, watch for a yellow X to appear. This indicates a hit with any weapon, but can be a good training clue for you in sniping too. Also, only shoot when you have a shot. Don't unload rapid-fire as you will simply be flinging bullets. Acquire, fire, assess... Acquire, fire, assess...

...to be continued upon request.

[Kronos]

I think there are a few things I would add:

1) Don't fire rapidly, especially with the MEC/Chinese sniper rifles. You make it trivial to locate a sniper by doing so...the attention span of most players is pretty short, give them a second and their attention will tend to drift away from you.

2) If I see a sniper and they don't see me, I always try to aim for the head and am extra careful to make sure that I hit. Why? Cause if you hit them center mass, their damage indicator is going to indicate your direction and they will at least have a chance to get a shot on you and even if they don't get you, they will be looking in your direction for the second shot and should have a very good idea of where you are...and you just lost a good spot.

3) In situations where you have been found or noticed by a non-sniper, if possible, leave a claymore where you were and move 30m in some direction away from the claymore...can't tell you how many people I have smoked that came hunting for me only to find mr. claymore :)

4) You hinted at it earlier, but I always try to make sure I am sniping a fair distance from an objective (but can still see the objective). The reason for this is that it is very common for a commander to deploy a UAV over the objective while its being attacked, if they do this, then even your perfect spot will be exposed and your lifetime shortened :)

Good tips,enjoyed the read.

[(¯`·._.·[LaZaRuS]·._.·´¯)]

Also I find that if you plant claymores at corners of building in the vincinity of your roost this will usually be benficial because the first thing the enemy do when they know the direction of a snipers scope, is they dive to the ground, hide behind buildings and chimmy around the vincinity of the building to the corners, and just pop their heads around the corners.. I have saved valuable seconds in getting away when spotted by using this tactic.

Also when making you exit, don't panic, shimmy from bush to bush, backwards if possible, for obvious reasons of course.

Another tip I have is that when you capture an unmanned flag, get in one of the enemys vehicles or your own for that matter, park it up right against the flag (once you have captured it of course) and retreat to a dark corner where you can perfectly see the drivers side, on a SIDE view, I know when I am recapaturing a flag I always like to jump in a vehicle and recapture the flag in the vehicle and park near a flag, but if there is a vehicle ALREADY parked near a flag I would just get in it, this will enable you to take down the stationary target with a headshot, as the head is all that protrudes, this tactic is only useful if you have the unlocked rifle... This tactic works well on the Mushtuur<?> City map, near the flag just over the southern bridge by the large building with the Arabic writing on it...

Also one which hasn't been pointed on, (which may be obvious), if you are sniping on a rooftop, ALWAYS cover the ladders up their with C4, and if you need to get off simply parachute off, and always if possible inform your teammates as there are some newbies out there who wouldnt know...

Also if your spawning, on a ship or near a chopper, it is worth the wait for waiting for the chopper to spawn, as most groups of soldiers get in this and head straight to the main place of battle, when you know where you are going parachute out about 100m before and your in snipe-heaven...

[Jeebus007]

good tips, good read. thanks :)

[Tactical_Marksman]

Thanks for the compliments and the additional tips gang, lets keep 'em coming! The better we educate our teammates the better our games are gonna be :D

[imported_Killa4live]

I think there are a few things I would add:

1) Don't fire rapidly, especially with the MEC/Chinese sniper rifles. You make it trivial to locate a sniper by doing so...the attention span of most players is pretty short, give them a second and their attention will tend to drift away from you.

2) If I see a sniper and they don't see me, I always try to aim for the head and am extra careful to make sure that I hit. Why? Cause if you hit them center mass, their damage indicator is going to indicate your direction and they will at least have a chance to get a shot on you and even if they don't get you, they will be looking in your direction for the second shot and should have a very good idea of where you are...and you just lost a good spot.

3) In situations where you have been found or noticed by a non-sniper, if possible, leave a claymore where you were and move 30m in some direction away from the claymore...can't tell you how many people I have smoked that came hunting for me only to find mr. claymore :)

4) You hinted at it earlier, but I always try to make sure I am sniping a fair distance from an objective (but can still see the objective). The reason for this is that it is very common for a commander to deploy a UAV over the objective while its being attacked, if they do this, then even your perfect spot will be exposed and your lifetime shortened :)

Good tips,enjoyed the read.
And for people storming onto ladders = go very easy on the end and peak over to look if there are claymore, this has saved my live about 30 times.

[Tyrion]

And for people storming onto ladders = go very easy on the end and peak over to look if there are claymore, this has saved my live about 30 times.

Or switch to 3rd person view on the ladder to look. The ladder counts as a vehicle in Battlefield, so you can use all the special camera positions you want.

[Eddy01741]

Or switch to 3rd person view on the ladder to look. The ladder counts as a vehicle in Battlefield, so you can use all the special camera positions you want.
Dang, i never knew that, thanks.

[ttopi]

Thanks for these tips Tactical_Marksman. Do feel free to tell us some more :)

[Tactical_Marksman]

Thanks, ttopi :) I'll do another detailed post later.

For now, since ladders are the topic, here's a few other pointers:

Don't just start at the base of a ladder, JUMP onto it, this gets you to the top quicker. Also, use your "Sprint" key to slide down a ladder instead of climbing down. Both these tips will minimize your area of vulnerability.

[batsTX]

Hey if you have a really cool sniper spot or tactic, add it to the BF2 Lonewolf Website

www.bf2lonewolf.com

[DG-Slider]

Great tips for a new player. Excellent examples everyone. Thanks!

[WAAASSSUUUPP]

Nice tips, I will remember them =]

[foestauf]

Nice thread however...
Ummm:-)
It's called a HALO.
High-Altitude Low Oxygen.
My friend is a HALO jumper. Was just a normal lawn dart and started getting into HALO. Now he does jumps from 30k feet. Wich requires oxygen tank.
Guy can do jumps from HALO and land himself in a 2x2 sq. ft box.

[Tactical_Marksman]

I beg to differ. HAHO and HALO jumps are two different things.

HAHO (High Altitude, High Open) jumps are used occationally for Spec-Op insertion (my SEAL Buddy has done a few) where you don't want an aircraft to appear on radar as penetrating enemy airspace. You fly about 20-25 miles offshore over international waters, for example, deploy the jumpers and let them fly in the remaining trip under canopy.

HALO (High Altitude, Low Open) jumps are used for insertion directly over enemy territory where low-flying aircraft are at too great a risk. You keep the aircraft above the AAA but still get your team on target.

Both HAHO and HALO jumps do require Oxygen, though, I'll give you that. I've also seen some smartasses who can land on a dime, or worse, cut chute a couple inches above the ground and just 'stand' there they were place there by God himself. Me, I'm lucky if I don't have to go to my knees and get my *** dragged along by my chute XP.

By the way, what service/unit is your friend in? The guy who taught me to jump was with SEAL team 5, and man could he shoot :eek:

EDIT: P.S. I've personally never jumped from higher than 13,500ft. so I'm no authority on HAHO/HALO procedures. All I know is at 30,000ft. (a common HAHO/HALO deployment altitude) if you don't have your oxygen rig set up properly you have 30 seconds of useful consciousness before Hypoxia sets in. Not my thing :p

[batsTX]

Have you made any kills yet by tossing grenade below why parachuting down.

The parachute is usually needed for base jumping, bridges building etc.

Wish BF2 had a C130 like Desert Combat, and then we could have 10 people jump out at once.

[Tactical_Marksman]

Oh yes, I've made plenty of kills using HAHO insertion. I usually do it as described above, then after I've detonated the C4 packs use frags to clean up any stragglers. It's just such a versitile insertion technique in BF2 and nobody expects it. You can even stear your chute so you land on unoccupied enemy vehicles so you can camp in them while the flag is captured. The confusion over a well-held base's vehicle becoming suddenly occupied by the enemy lasts just long enough to get them killed.

I hate using the parachute for silly things, like jumping off a 3 story building. It's unrealistic in my mind. I try to only use it for the above HAHO stunt or to insert via Blackhawk.

[Cpt. Turner]

Capturing an enemy snipers weapon is always useful if you identify your targets by sound, like me, you will throw away an enemy using the same tactic by using an opfor weapon.

[Xenoska]

I have done this with bots before but i dont if it would work against humans, plant a C4 or more :) on a fast vehicle drive it towards a tank but jump out before it hits, u may survive, suicide vehicle Yea BOi!!!

[Sub_Saint]

After a number of TK's, I was skeptic of the sniper class and it's claymores. But after my relentless efforts to acquire the Basic Explosives Badge...I gave the sniper another shot.

This tactic, while not recommended for every situation does have some potential, although it does seem to contradict the true purpose of the sniper - dispatching enemies from a distance.

It's simple enough...instead of trying to capture one of the enemy's flags...focus on sneaking in and planting claymores at whatever base they are spawning from, preferrably their main base right next to the helo's or planes. You can even ask the Commander for a supply drop, and if he obliges, you can plant claymores, restock, and plant some more. (This is great for the flag points that can't be taken over - because chances are none of your teammates will bother with that flag)

If discovered, go into panic mode...It's quite entertaining when you run into their base with 4 or 5 guys waiting for a transport helo to spawn and you dump claymores at their feet. The chances of a one shot kill taking you out are slim, so you can usually plant both claymores before you go boots up. Then in the 15 second respawn...there is a great chance you'll be rewarded with the sound of an explosion and some cries...and next thing you know you've got multiple kills.

I finally got the badge (13 kills with claymores) and while ultimately I try the one shot one kill from far away...when the enemy is knocking at the door and swarming your flags...nothing stops their advance quicker than a few well placed claymores. Just warn your teammates to watch their step.

[baggygreen]

After a number of TK's, I was skeptic of the sniper class and it's claymores. But after my relentless efforts to acquire the Basic Explosives Badge...I gave the sniper another shot.

This tactic, while not recommended for every situation does have some potential, although it does seem to contradict the true purpose of the sniper - dispatching enemies from a distance.

It's simple enough...instead of trying to capture one of the enemy's flags...focus on sneaking in and planting claymores at whatever base they are spawning from, preferrably their main base right next to the helo's or planes. You can even ask the Commander for a supply drop, and if he obliges, you can plant claymores, restock, and plant some more. (This is great for the flag points that can't be taken over - because chances are none of your teammates will bother with that flag)

If discovered, go into panic mode...It's quite entertaining when you run into their base with 4 or 5 guys waiting for a transport helo to spawn and you dump claymores at their feet. The chances of a one shot kill taking you out are slim, so you can usually plant both claymores before you go boots up. Then in the 15 second respawn...there is a great chance you'll be rewarded with the sound of an explosion and some cries...and next thing you know you've got multiple kills.

I finally got the badge (13 kills with claymores) and while ultimately I try the one shot one kill from far away...when the enemy is knocking at the door and swarming your flags...nothing stops their advance quicker than a few well placed claymores. Just warn your teammates to watch their step.
I like it, i like it a lot! but i dont like going suicidal. that just doesnt work well for me. what i will do is if im caught out in the open under a bush or something in a 1v1 or whatever, if im unlikely to survive i'll give up and lay a claymore instead. its inevitable that they'll come over and have a looksee at your body..... why not give them a send off, rather than them giving you a teabagging??? :D

[jonnysanchez]

i thought it was a HALO jump. High-Altitude Low-Open jump

[Tactical_Marksman]

BAH! :hmm:

Read post #15 in this thread for an explanation of the differences between HAHO and HALO jumps. They are two different insertion Techniques. Obviously, both can be done in BF2 but HALOs are kind of a waste if you ask me.

[DakotaDoc64]

EDIT: P.S. I've personally never jumped from higher than 13,500ft. so I'm no authority on HAHO/HALO procedures. All I know is at 30,000ft. (a common HAHO/HALO deployment altitude) if you don't have your oxygen rig set up properly you have 30 seconds of useful consciousness before Hypoxia sets in. Not my thing :p

Hypoxia is fun, cheap legal drunkenness. But going too far sucks. Seen too many do the funky chicken, even some Marines that thought they did not need oxygen, (I am too tough for this air stuff) :rolleyes: .

BTW. I know a Marine Sniper. The .50 will separate the torso of a human. No second shot required. No reviving. 1000 meters. Most walls will not stop this projectile, even some block walls. A hit in the arm will likely remove it and part of the shoulder.

[Tactical_Marksman]

Ok, I'm embarrassed to post this, but it might matter to some people.

If you want to 'stat-pad' your sniping accuracy, plink at any enemy vehicles any chance you get. Even though the damage you do will be minimal, you will still get credit for hits (of these huge targets) and if you put enough rounds on one as it drives by you may even get a kill assist later when someone blows it up.

Personally, I don't like shooting unless I've got a very high chance of a one-shot kill.

[KFCazure]

My two cents:

First, some bragging (again. I just got done bragging in another topic). I'm pretty good at offing people at 250m-350m with one shot, with the M24. I don't like the M95, and I'm horrible with the MEC sniper rifle. I haven't figured it out properly, yet.

My tips:

- Avoid laggy servers, its a sniper's death. You won't hit ****.

- Aim for throat or _face_.

- If you're bored, score random body shots off of the enemy, you can rack up damage assist kills. You don't have to kill 'em but do injure them. I usually do this when the server is too laggy to score long distance one shot kills.

- If you do target shooting with a rifle IRL, ignore most of what you've learned or it'll mess you up. The physics don't really apply here.

- Camp out a fair distance from your targets, 190m or so is a good distance for beginners. As you gain experience, 250m or so is cake. As far away as your ability will allow.

- When you fire, keep holding down the left mouse button to see where your shot hit. Do this all the time at first, and still do it whenever you can after you become good.

- There's very little bullet drop, if any at all. I find that at 250m-300m or so, raising your sights about a pixel above where you want to hit has some effect. Superstition? Seems to work, though.

- Shady grass is your friend. Bushes are your friend.

- If you can, try to stay on low ground. When snipers fire, everyone looks up... to the hills, to the roofs, etc.

- If you're a MEC/China sniper, stop firing your ****ing rifle rapidly. It instantly gives it away that you're a MEC/China sniper to us Marines, and we go hunting for you. Shoot once, wait and pretend you're reloading your sniper rifle bolt-style, fire. Repeat. So many MEC/China snipers make this mistake.

- Use your claymores.

[MoLoLu]

ok i guess i have a tip here too.

I'm not an expert sniper, but i love sniping, and spend most of my time on the mec/china team with my m95 (yes i know it isnt accurate yes yes, but i still hit more with it than with the svd.)

all right

When fighting multiple targets at close ranges (mostly maps like Karkand and Mashtur (sp?) city) run around a corner, plant a claymore and try to circle around your enemy. Most people run into the claymore, and if they're smart and avoid it you can get them as they try to circle you. Also remember you have grenades. They aren't good at long distances but usually better than your pistol when facing an enemy squad.

For sniping: dont do what I do and fire too quickly! (gotta stop doing this) Most of your shots miss, especially when you dont aim before firing.

well thats all i gotta say, hope it helped

[Tactical_Marksman]

- If you do target shooting with a rifle IRL, ignore most of what you've learned or it'll mess you up.

This is the truest thing that can be said about Sniping in BF2.

I'm a shootist in RL, so much so that I catch myself timing my breathing when in a sniper kit in a game (the only good training is engrained training). I couldn't hit !@#$ at first because I was estimating bullet drop, angle-to-target, and flight times, none of which appear to exist in BF2. Also, I was attempting to keep the scope on the target through the recoil process. While this doesn't hurt, it's aparently totally unnecessary.

It really is just point and click to a large degree. They've neglected to make the shooting experience realistic in any way. Marksmanship isn't where the skill needs to be, it's the fieldcraft that will set good BF2 snipers apart from the bad.

EDIT: Mololu, that's perfect advice that's been preached to every American Spec-warrior since the Revolutionary war. To quote Major Robert Roger's famous Rules of Ranging:

"If the enemy pursue your rear, take a circle till you come to your own tracks, and there form an ambush to receive them, and give them the first fire."

[UnrealAlex]

My tips
- avoid trying to hit targets that are moving sideways. Its a waste of time, if you shoot right at them or even if you shoot a bit ahead of them, you'll still miss 90%.
- Lay claymores at really really open spaces. It lowers the chance of a stupid teamate running over it. Enemies still go over claymores even if they are in their face.
- Proned targets are priority. Proned ,even if moving = easy headshot.
- Change positions every 5 kills.

[KFCazure]

- Proned targets are priority. Proned ,even if moving = easy headshot.


So true, if you're being shot at by a sniper, don't go prone, you've just made yourself a much easier target.

Instead, run like hell, preferably not in a straight line

[Div]

Tip: Use the sniperrifle, that fits your situation

Use the M 95 when you are actively supporting a squad or when you are next to a large gunfight, because chances that enemies are already wounded by the time you hit them are very high and as the M 95 almost kills at one shot, the enemy soldier's gonna be dead at once.

If you are on your own, use the M 24 since it is not as loud as the M 95, a bit more accurate and has less bulletdrop, which makes it an excellent gun for covert distance sniping.

[imported_DwarfVader]

I will state this again.

FORGET EVERYTHING YOU EVER LEARNED ABOUT SHOOTING A GUN, THERE IS NO BULLET DROP IN BF2.


It has been tested extensivly, and there IS bullet diviation for each weapon, but there is absolutly:
NO BULLET TRAVEL TIME OR DROP.


This has been another friendly public service announcment, please have a nice day.

[Div]

There are people who have proven the opposite. Just look for a thread "what did u invent in this game", there's some guy showing, that there is bullet drop, and even bullet travel time. And I've experienced it myself, there is bulletdrop. But I'm not gonna argue about it with anyone, believe what you want to believe.

There's another tip:

- When using the M 95, team up with some mate who's got a normal rifle. So when you wound someone, he can pick him off easily (or vice versa).

[imported_DwarfVader]

I've watched his video's, and they proove absolutly nothing.

Get with a buddy, get on vent, and understand that just because you hit slightly below where you are shooting, does NOT indicate bullet drop. There is a diviation pattern for each weapon, look at the chart and do the math. You won't consistently replicate "drop."

Trust me, we spent about 6 hours on server doing everything we could to do so and discover what the drop ratio is.

Anything you are attributing to "drop" is the standard bullet diviation, and that diviation can be any direction, including down.

[Div]

Cmon, u won't tell me that the deviation in the video made the sniper hit him by accident, that's freakin ridiculous

[Kronos]

Wanted to quickly comment on a couple of suggestions:


- If you're bored, score random body shots off of the enemy, you can rack up damage assist kills. You don't have to kill 'em but do injure them. I usually do this when the server is too laggy to score long distance one shot kills.


Unless the other player is in a high-intensity firefight, this is a BAD idea. You will **** off the other player who will then hunt you...assuming they are not distracted by more immediate threats (if they are, ie, capping an objective, fire away). Furthermore, firing will always draw attention since the sound of the gun is unique...you should only fire when you are fairly sure of a kill and try to avoid firing when the enemy is near...The key thing to remember, if you shoot and hit and don't kill...they get a nice damage indicator telling them where (roughly) you are...If you are really bored, you are in the wrong location, find a better place to snipe ;)


- When you fire, keep holding down the left mouse button to see where your shot hit. Do this all the time at first, and still do it whenever you can after you become good.

Would recommend you do this everytime...why? Aside from making your shots deliberate, it also spreads them out, which will make it harder for people to locate you by sound...


- Shady grass is your friend. Bushes are your friend.

Warning on the grass...just because you see it DOES NOT mean everyone else does...grass does not render at a distance and while it may look like you are well hidden from your perspective, you ARE NOT...the only thing that will show up at distances are trees, bushes, shade, and buildings/objects on buildings...the biggest thing that will help hide a sniper is darkness...hide in the shadows and live...

[Grapeapplesnapple]

If all else fails, chuck a claymore at someone when you're close. Instant kill. Also, it's fun to drop them off roofs onto people lol.

One more thing I was wondering. If you say NOT to go on cranes/roofs etc. due to their obvious sniping potential, shouldn't you go up them? If the enemy thinks that no one is dumb enough to go up to those spots, then you can go up. But they may realize this too, and look... AHHH Reverse-reverse-reverse psychology!

[Div]

I've experienced, that there is not problem in going on cranes or high rooftops if you blend yourself well. The crane has more than one spot, where you are almost impossible to spot and if there's an antenna on a rooftop, just go prone and hide behind it. The enemy will think, that you are part of the antenna.

[woo]

I once saw a snipers fragmovie and noticed he stayed in scope mode with the m95 after he pulled the trigger. Now how did he do this? Problem is I dont get the X to pop up when i hit things, which makes it more difficult for me to know where on the targets body to place the shot for him to get hit. (Im sure all off you have pulled the trigger while your aim is on your target and still not hit)

[Tactical_Marksman]

Just hold down the left mouse button (or whatever your 'trigger' key is) to stay scope-down.

[IGT-:-Maverick]

Great tips thanks for passing them on :D