Halo: Combat Evolved Forum
This topic has moved here: Subject: Hikaru-119's Halo 1 sniping guide, w00t pinned for 3 years!
  • Subject: Hikaru-119's Halo 1 sniping guide, w00t pinned for 3 years!
Subject: Hikaru-119's Halo 1 sniping guide, w00t pinned for 3 years!
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Okay then let us begin.

Now before you can effectively operate on the field of battle in the realm of Halo mulitplayer you must first get excellent accuracy. Which means one thing. Target practice. Now I have a nice spot for you to do this at extreme range. In AotCR there is one spot in particular. Towards the end of the level when you are near the Control Room itself, there is a bridge. When you first get on this bridge immediately throw a plasma grenade to get a banshee down for yourself. Kill all enemies on the bridge and go across. Move your way inside, kill everything, and come out the bottom where your banshee should be. Grab the nearby sniper rifle(it's in the pit if you did not know) and grab your ride. Now fly up and you should find a platform on the canyon wall. Go up there and snipe down at the Covenant below on the pyramid. Do this alot until you can kill Elites with one to two shots (did I mention that this was Legendary mode? You should practice on this) at extreme range (this is some 350 meter shooting up here, great for training your eyes in MP). Do this a bunch until you are comfortable with your accuracy.

Then there is what I call "Battle Field Analysis." This basically means that you must take in EVERYTHING. Troop movements, the weapons you have, the weapons your team has, the weapons the enemy has, locations of vehicles, what is and is not flipped over, flag location, health levels, motion tracke ractivity, repeated tactics that are being used by either team, etc. A good way to do this is to find cover, I recommend a bush or rock to hide behind, and then look around at an area. Get everything in your head and move to the next area. Thne use that info to your advantage. Tell your team what is going on and maybe even use vehicles for cover. I don't know how many times hiding behind a Warthog has saved my ass from destruction.

Now for the next aspect of sniping, the stalk. No sniper is complete without his ability to track his target. Okay then stalking really isn't that hard, it's just that people are too dumb to realize it. To stalk is really simple. Taking cover and taking your time. People are always ina big rip to get things done, whcih is why they have a poor kill to death ratio. A sniper generally will move along the edges of the map. I recommend using the caves in Blood Gultch alot as well as the tunnels inside Sidewinder. Telelporters are handy inside Sidewinder, but people over use them. So in that level I say stay on the low ground and along the edges. Believe or not, but this is a very safe tactic. There are tons of spots to just hide for a bit and for you to take in all of the battlefield information. Also move slowly across the map. I can't say that enough. Take your time or die alot. Simple as that. Bushes, vehicles, rocks, caves and such are great cover for yuo to move around from. Go from point to point scanning the area in 2x scope mode, a quick scan in 10x and move from there.

Now onto the thing with motion trackers being on. If you can see the enemy on your tracker, they can see you. So play it safe. As long as there is cover nearby, you can run over to it real fast(most people won't notice you doing it quickly), duck behind it, and STAY STILL. You can look around, but you can not afford to move unless you are being shot at. Since you are behind your cover now, you can whip out either your S2 AM or your M6D and sight in on the enemy. When he is at a comfortable range, peg him. Another alternative to this is when they pass you by run out and whip him in the back. You'll show up out of no where and it'll scare the hell out of people.

Next rule. NO CAMPING. Camping is not sniping, it is the coward's way out. You also become very obvious. Campers are not snipers, they aren't even sharpshooters. Okay then, nect topic.

Then there is the supposed problems with the contrails. Easy solution. Fire when you are ready. If you can't make a good shot, don't take it. If there are tons of enemies around your target, wait for them to disperse and then fire at the people that don't see you. Also fire one, maybe two shots at most. It'll keep you safe from being seen easilly. Or if the enemy is close enough, use your M6D. They'll never know what hit them, but don't become obvious to your spot. Pretty much don't reveal yourself all that much making it one shot one kill sort of deals and you should be fine.

The following is a sniper's biggest nightmare. Being found and being found by a lot of people....this can be a problem. There are three solutions to this sort of dilemma. The first is you die, kinda obvious, but yeah. The next you fight it out. You can sharpshoot (you're found, sniping no longer exsists at this point) your incoming opponents. Aim for the closest guy first and work your way back, maybe even use your grenades. Take out as many as you can before you die. The last option is run and gun. Meaning you are jumping, ducking, side stepping, while you re hauling ass backwards towards friendly units. Not the best of options, but when a sniper is found his death is almost assured in reality.

Well I think that covers most of it. If I missed any details or was too vague go ahead ask. I have no problem with explaining things again in a different way. Good luck with you sniping people.

[Edited on 07.09.2007 7:30 AM PDT]

  • 06.07.2004 2:39 PM PDT
Subject: Lesson of the week- Hikaru 119's Sniping Guide part 1 of some n...
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Exact same thing you told me O.O

Anyway, I think this is a great addition to the library not many people like to talk about strategy they all want to talk about a trick they just discovered so everyone can tell them it was discovered months ago. The only thing I think you should do with your guides or whatever is to do it on multiple things not just sniping, like next week ctf or something I think that would be cool. =) Excellent guide, I like the idea.

First one to post, sweet!

  • 06.07.2004 3:40 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

nice work hikaru. The only way to become a good sniper is to always go for the head

  • 06.09.2004 12:07 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Nothing about taking on tanks, thous things are big scary and pack a punch!
also ghost. how do i take them out? and warthogs, what if i need to claim my wheels back?
And how about how to avoide been shot at by snipper. Anti Snipper stuff would be good too, still great addition to the library! this is the stuff the library needs, more pros like us teaching the ways of the halo muiltiplayer to the lesser mortals!

again, GREAT snipper guide!

  • 06.09.2004 2:32 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Great Guide Hikaru 119. I bet loads of people benefit from this. I've bin playing since 1 month after Halo came out and those were very good tips (I did learn quite a lot). Very well put, easy to understand and quite easy to begin putting into practice.

Like others have said before me I would like some tips on other things (mainly 'Taking on Vehicles'). I suppose that you'll bring this out in the weeks to come. Here is what I want help on:
* Taking on enemies in vehicles (especially Scorpion Tanks)
* Good CTF strategies on Blood Gulch and Sidewinder
* Using the needler to my advantage

Include these as later editions?

  • 06.09.2004 3:32 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Hey that was a cool guide, i don't think i'm going to get any better as a sniper since my brother is the only one i can fight, but maybe if i practice more.

I have a question though, what if you and sniper just stumble upon one another, he's got a pistol and an MAB5 and you've got the assault rifle and an MAB5, often i can't fight against them and i only win if i quickly shoot them in the chest with 2 shots of a sniper rifle but i don't like to use the pistol because it's not good to attack multiple people with.

  • 06.09.2004 4:45 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Hikaru you are a man after my own heart, this was a nice guide. I dont want to sound bigheaded but I do most of this stuff already, but the practise spot on AotCR was news to me and I appreciate it.

Also when it comes to taking on vehicles it is again just a case of good target tracking and getting a good headshot. This may be difficult at first but with practise you get used to it!
I think tanks are the easiest to take out (there slow moving and exposed cockpit make them easy targets), then the Hog (exposed driving position again but faster) and the most difficult is the Ghost (fast moving and only exposed on the sides and rear)!
Thats my 2 cents on Vehicle sniping

Once again thanks Hikaru!

  • 06.09.2004 3:32 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

It's....so....long...can't...read...any...more!

  • 06.09.2004 3:35 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Also using your sense is important picking targets and timing your shots is important. Sometimes it's better to save your spot and not kill every enemy but to save your shots for important occasions (i.e shooting a flag carrier knocking out a enemy sniper or killing a tank) also instincts and not staying in the same places are just as important as a good aim.

  • 07.06.2004 12:00 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: Hikaru 119
Okay then let us begin.

Now before you can effectively operate on the field of battle in the realm of Halo mulitplayer you must first get excellent accuracy. Which means one thing. Target practice. Now I have a nice spot for you to do this at extreme range. In AotCR there is one spot in particular. Towards the end of the level when you are near the Control Room itself, there is a bridge. When you first get on this bridge immediately throw a plasma grenade to get a banshee down for yourself. Kill all enemies on the bridge and go across. Move your way inside, kill everything, and come out the bottom where your banshee should be. Grab the nearby sniper rifle(it's in the pit if you did not know) and grab your ride. Now fly up and you should find a platform on the canyon wall. Go up there and snipe down at the Covenant below on the pyramid. Do this alot until you can kill Elites with one to two shots (did I mention that this was Legendary mode? You should practice on this) at extreme range (this is some 350 meter shooting up here, great for training your eyes in MP). Do this a bunch until you are comfortable with your accuracy.

Then there is what I call "Battle Field Analysis." This basically means that you must take in EVERYTHING. Troop movements, the weapons you have, the weapons your team has, the weapons the enemy has, locations of vehicles, what is and is not flipped over, flag location, health levels, motion tracke ractivity, repeated tactics that are being used by either team, etc. A good way to do this is to find cover, I recommend a bush or rock to hide behind, and then look around at an area. Get everything in your head and move to the next area. Thne use that info to your advantage. Tell your team what is going on and maybe even use vehicles for cover. I don't know how many times hiding behind a Warthog has saved my ass from destruction.

Now for the next aspect of sniping, the stalk. No sniper is complete without his ability to track his target. Okay then stalking really isn't that hard, it's just that people are too dumb to realize it. To stalk is really simple. Taking cover and taking your time. People are always ina big rip to get things done, whcih is why they have a poor kill to death ratio. A sniper generally will move along the edges of the map. I recommend using the caves in Blood Gultch alot as well as the tunnels inside Sidewinder. Telelporters are handy inside Sidewinder, but people over use them. So in that level I say stay on the low ground and along the edges. Believe or not, but this is a very safe tactic. There are tons of spots to just hide for a bit and for you to take in all of the battlefield information. Also move slowly across the map. I can't say that enough. Take your time or die alot. Simple as that. Bushes, vehicles, rocks, caves and such are great cover for yuo to move around from. Go from point to point scanning the area in 2x scope mode, a quick scan in 10x and move from there.

Now onto the thing with motion trackers being on. If you can see the enemy on your tracker, they can see you. So play it safe. As long as there is cover nearby, you can run over to it real fast(most people won't notice you doing it quickly), duck behind it, and STAY STILL. You can look around, but you can not afford to move unless you are being shot at. Since you are behind your cover now, you can whip out either your S2 AM or your M6D and sight in on the enemy. When he is at a comfortable range, peg him. Another alternative to this is when they pass you by run out and whip him in the back. You'll show up out of no where and it'll scare the hell out of people.

Next rule. NO CAMPING. Camping is not sniping, it is the coward's way out. You also become very obvious. Campers are not snipers, they aren't even sharpshooters. Okay then, nect topic.

Then there is the supposed problems with the contrails. Easy solution. Fire when you are ready. If you can't make a good shot, don't take it. If there are tons of enemies around your target, wait for them to disperse and then fire at the people that don't see you. Also fire one, maybe two shots at most. It'll keep you safe from being seen easilly. Or if the enemy is close enough, use your M6D. They'll never know what hit them, but don't become obvious to your spot. Pretty much don't reveal yourself all that much making it one shot one kill sort of deals and you should be fine.

The following is a sniper's biggest nightmare. Being found and being found by a lot of people....this can be a problem. There are three solutions to this sort of dilemma. The first is you die, kinda obvious, but yeah. The next you fight it out. You can sharpshoot (you're found, sniping no longer exsists at this point) your incoming opponents. Aim for the closest guy first and work your way back, maybe even use your grenades. Take out as many as you can before you die. The last option is run and gun. Meaning you are jumping, ducking, side stepping, while you re hauling ass backwards towards friendly units. Not the best of options, but when a sniper is found his death is almost assured in reality.

Well I think that covers most of it. If I missed any details or was too vague go ahead ask. I have no problem with explaining things again in a different way. Good luck with you sniping people.


Nice

  • 07.06.2004 12:29 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

A way you can improve the practise spot on AotCR, is to take the invisibility, steal the banshee and fly down to the bottom, enter the door and go up to the bridge again. Then go back down. That way you get both those on the pyramid and those on the bridge to snipe.

There is a good sniper spot at two betrayals too. At the end, where you take a banshee to the final pulse generator, take the sniper rifle you find in the area before the banshee area. Don't shoot anything with it, since you don't have that much ammo. Take a banshee and fly to the bridge above the covenant. From here you can snipe everything except what is right below the bridge.
The easiest way to take a banshee without kiling to many covenant is driving a ghost right into the covenant and stealing a banshee. If you're unlucky, the covenant will focus fire on the banshee and severly damaging it, if not killing it.

(Edit:
Perhaps I should say that it was almost a year ago since I did this (on AotCR). I clearly remember having both the bridge covies and pyramid covies to snipe, but when I tried to do it again today, It didn't work. I guess I don't remember exactly how I got it that way)

[Edited on 7/8/2004 3:04:14 PM]

  • 07.06.2004 6:28 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Wow but I habe to disagree with the being found part! Just pull out ye olde rocket launcher problem solved!

  • 07.06.2004 7:12 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Well done Hikaru 119 for getting your topic as a sticky. As soon as I read this I knew it was something special. It helped me become a lot better at sniping. I'm now working on up close tactics. Merge them together and throw in some good team work and I'm the perfect player!

Very good Sniping Guide

  • 07.06.2004 9:44 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

You were always good at these things Hikaru. That's why I made you moderator of my site. =P

Nice job, but I think I have seen this before a couple months ago.

  • 07.06.2004 10:07 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Hikaru, your guide to sniping is awesome. I did find though that you left out something I find helpful. When you snipe, you are normally on levels that are big. This really only applys when playing with Ghosts. But, because the level is big you can hide the ghost behind cover, and use it to escape, this has prevented my death several times.

  • 07.06.2004 10:31 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Also what I do is play all of Truth and Reconcialliation with the Sniper Rifle and reload if I miss a shot on a Elite.

  • 07.06.2004 12:07 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Very, very nice. Sniping is one of my favorite aspects of Halo, and I need to improve my game in that area. Your help is much appreciated!

  • 07.06.2004 12:53 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Never expected this to get a sticky, wow.

Well then I guess I have a few more guides to write in the coming days and will do. Once Halo 2 is out I shall also master it and write more guides for the fans.

  • 07.06.2004 1:09 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Another thing is that once Halo 2 comes out the rifle will kick after each shot. So training with higher than default sensitivity is key so you can fire and reaim quickly this is what I did on RtCW and (not to brag but statisically is true) I was one of the best snipers on that game online.

  • 07.06.2004 1:23 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

try that lvl on legendary for some good sniper practice.

  • 07.06.2004 1:26 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Nice Job Hikaru (as everyone else has said) But I've got a few other pointers to add as well.. just to be nit-picky, no offense ofcourse :-)

Ofcourse, another great level to train in sniping is T&R, just because of the maxed out ammo with the sniper, and the very start of the game has you sniping. If you want to get real hardcore training, chuck a grenade in the open to alert all of the covenant, and then snipe them. They wont be able to hit you if you've got a good spot.

As for camping, yes.. camping sucks majorly. I've sniped and headshotted countless ppl almost the instant they fired off their sniper simply because they didnt move as they were watching and/or shooting at someone. As Hikaru said, you never want to stop moving as long as absolutely necessary. what I recommend (and do this myself) is to keep the scope at 2x always scanning the field as you're going to your planned destination. Going from spot to spot to get tactical info is a good idea, but sometimes its better to keep moving while scanning the field. I usually do that in CTF matches, where I know my buddies are heading straight for the flag, I would keep a good distance away (off to the side somewhere) and snipe people while heading towards the flag to provide backup shots.

As for Aiming; I haven't heard anyone else do this, but it worked great for me. whenever your playing halo in general, set the look sensitivity all the way to 10 and practice sniping. Sounds crazy, I know, but after about a week or two of playing at that level, take it back down to say, 7 or 8 and you'll notice how unusually slow it feels. Thats key when it comes to pinch sniping, and it'll be a big help keeping you from over-aiming. I've done that for a good while, and finally just got use to sniping at 10 eventually.

Also, If you're tracking someone whos on the move, and you're about to fire, remember to put a small lead on the player if theres a good distance between you and them. I usually dont wait for them to stop to fire, though sometimes its a good idea, but I tend to move in the same direction that my target is moving, that way I wont actually have to aim with the right thumbstick causing any over-aiming and correcting.

well, hope that helps as much as hikaru's guide :o)

Edit: Almost forgot one other thing....

whenever sniping, always have a mindset that you're almost always being watched yourself. Being semi-paranoid like that will be a big help in knowing where you're enemies are and what situation you're in

[Edited on 7/6/2004 3:09:18 PM]

  • 07.06.2004 3:04 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

This guide...is simply put...amazing. I have a feeling this, along with the comments of the other members will help me immensely with my sniping. I cannot thank you enough.

  • 07.06.2004 4:16 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

No problem. Heck I didn't even anticipate this becoming a sticky, heh lucky me.

  • 07.06.2004 4:21 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Wow....

That's a very good guide. I thought I knew all there was to know about sniping. Thanks for the info.

  • 07.06.2004 4:23 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

This should help me teach those campers that babysit the teleporters. Heh. Keep up the great work.

  • 07.06.2004 4:26 PM PDT