- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Stealth Sniping
In relation to Hikaru 119's Sniper Article
When one says the word "stealth" one would immediately think of shadows or invisibility. That is partially correct. Mirriam Webster's dictionary defines stealth as follows:
The act or action of proceeding furtively, secretly, or imperceptibly.
Stealth is the basis of many subfields of spec ops (special operations). The state of being oblivious to your enemy is a great advantage to one's particular state of any kind. Sniping is commonly reffered with stealth. This is because sniping involves tracking ones enemy, or stalking if you will. Being out of the enemy's sight reduces the risk of receiving damage greatly and gives the player more concentration on the subject at hand.
To really understand the true benefits and difficulties of stealth is to simply play a game of CTF (Capture the Flag). Now you can play this game in a variety of ways. I will begin with the most basic of procedures.
* The first is a game on Blood Gulch, 2 players (both players on different screens is recommended), no vehicles, respawn growth will be 15 sec., no radar or indicators with 100% health but no shields. The name of the game will be Stalker. This game involves a lot of patience and skill. You must first collect all the necessary weapons you need and enter your home base. When both players are ready, both will begin to confront each other. You will try to kill each other many times so that player's respawn time will continue to grow longer and longer. When you believe the other player's respawn time is more than enough to retrieve the flag, go to the other player's base and get it. Now most likely the other player will have respawned before you make it even halfway back to your base. The trick is to have yourself out of the enemy player's sight. With no vehicles, it will be very hard to kill you without a well placed sniper bullet or rocket. The game should be played until a player gets at least 5 flags. This may sound easy, but one vs. one, it really isn't.
* The next game is again on Blood Gulch. This game will be much like the above, both players will be invisible, 100% health no shields, only ghosts and warthogs, 15 sec. respawn growth, the only indicator that will be used is nav points, no radars are needed. The nav points may make the game seem easier, but since they are above the player, you do not know exactly where each body part is. Sniping is not much of a help in this game since you cannot really locate the player's body. This game is called Go for the Kill. The game is just as it sounds, the opposing player would need to use close-range guns to pin down the enemy. While you are invisible, you must learn to dodge on-coming vehicles by crouching or jumping. This game is extremely hard, and should only be attempted if one is really skilled. Once again, 5 or more flags to win.
* This last game is full out war. 100% shields and health, all vehicles, 5 or more flags to win, no respawn growth and no suicide penalty. The player must use what he has learned in the past games to evade the player and win.
One last secret to success when being a stealth player. Never, and I mean never, give away your position freely. That means if you have a shot on a guy with a sniper rifle, but don't think you can nail him, don't take the shot. You should wait for a better opportunity when the time comes.
Good luck with your games!