One of the most controversial issues in the world of rec ball is that of sniping. To some the sniper is a master marksman, an expert shot, he is capable of eliminating opponents at great range and with little exposure. To others being a sniper is the mark of a newbie. A sniper is not skillful enough or tough enough to make a head on charge into the opposition. He has to sit and wait for the target to come to him. Others charge that the sniper is an unfair player. While others are exposing themselves to make gains, he is passively eliminating players from the protection of a hidden position.
No matter what
your opinion of a sniper is, you have to live with them. It is my
objective here to simply present an adaptation of the traditional
sniping methods to the fast pace and limited time allowed for
most rec games. So sit back and maybe you'll learn something.
Here's some Sniper Links that you might find interesting.
Patience
The most important skill for a
sniper is patience. So, on the paintball field, sniping, in its
purest and most holy form is special operations sniping.
You move to the target with your team, and set up in a place
where no one wants to go. Such as a stream bank on a cold
windy day. Who in their right mind lays in a stream? Some one who's
pants have built in heaters.
Other favorite things to do are
roll around in mud and lay in it. Take a look at a picture of
SEALs in training when they are covered in mud. Kinda hard
to see 'em, huh. Apply that to the field. Keep your gun dry. Very
important.
Crawl into the underbrush where
you can get a shot out.. but they can only break shots through
the brush and get you with a little splatter.
Other things - to - do - that -
will - get - you - laughed - at - until - you - splat - them
ideas: Cut vegetation and stick it in your belt, hat, goggle
strap, boots, etc. Some wear an LBE which has slots for this
purpose. Pick them up at a surplus store. DON'T email me asking
what they are. Just look for them.
Ghillie suit
Don't have the time to invest in
making a ghillie suit? You can make a kick butt set of sniper
cammies. Get an old inner tube. Cut it into strips about two
inches long and half an inch wide. Sew the ends of each tube to
various places on your uniform. Try the upper arms (on the out
side), the shoulder blades, and along the outer seam on the legs.
Use wire cutters for cutting small branches. Tuck them into the
little slots. Wearing a boonie hat will keep reflection off your
goggles. Paint the exposed areas of your skin with camo paint.
Paint your gun with camo paint. Nothing sticks out better than a
big black stick. Remember, nature has no perfect lines... break
up your silhouette.
Using your senses ... hearing..
smell.. as well as sight.
Don't smoke. I've hunted down a
fair number of smokers simply by their cough after making them
run. That's something that will kill you in more ways than one.
Make sure you don't clink. Jump up and down, and wrap anything
noisy with tape.
Special ops sniping requires you
to move to your target. It is more like the standard ambush, but
with only one person.
The key to survival is SITUATIONAL
AWARENESS. Don't get tunnel vision. It's a sure way to get hit.
More to come!!