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

• 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.
• A Sniper under the effects of an enemy Buff Banner will inflict Critical hits with his Bushwacka. Keep your distance and defend yourself.

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.
• Because his hat is very easy to spot, try to adjust your aim as an enemy Sniper or Ambassador-using Spy and to bodyshot him.

See also

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