Jkzoom's New and Improved Sniping Guide

Jkzoom’s New and Improved Sniping Guide
All levels of play, whether it be veteran or newbie, are welcome to read and comment as they see fit​

A note before I begin: This guide is not made by an omniscient being, and therefore may not be 100% accurate. I ask that you please respectfully report any incorrect information to me via any means you deem fit. I will take any suggestions or comments into consideration and appreciate all support or criticism I receive. Also, This guide is in no way going to be lively, kind, and cheery.. Remember, I am a brutal assassin and taker of digital lives, I will teach exploits of the game flow and other cruel forms of annihilation. If this offends you, hold your peace. Thank you, and enjoy.

Warning: Obnoxious and cryptic Sniper Elite nonsense ahead. Proceed with caution


Sniping on Mc-War is an interesting and exciting prospect, promising action and gratification of all levels at different point of play. This isn’t to say that other classes are in any way inferior, in fact, the sniping experience is only a portion of the game and any veteran cannot be called as such without experiencing all of the game first. Therefore, It must be said that even though this is centralized on sniping, I will always suggest and support other classes. In this guide I will include maneuvers that can be done with each and every one of the Mc-War weapon classes. But first, the class I am focusing on specifically, snipers.

Different forms of the sniping class
Passive and Aggressive​

After almost ninety levels of sniper use, I have learned many different ways of playing this class. Most players play within two major divisions of sniping: Passive or Aggressive. Within these are deeper ways to play, which brings in three more divisions (more on these later). Only the best players can use these forms interchangeably and with different weapons. It is not suggested to any new player to try and play more than one style in a single game, but that isn’t to say that this is impossible. As you progress into your sniping experience you will make your own style, and that’s just the reality of all players, but these listings are you assist in improving or beginning your form and ability.

Aggressive Sniping​

To begin, Aggressive sniping is for the kind of fighter that prefers quick and dirty combat, wading into enemy lines and wiping them out. There are three different sub-divisions in this:

Assault Sniping: Quick and messy, first one into combat and the only one left standing. This style is only attemptable (for the most part) by people who have already gotten a good feel for their weapon.
Weapons: L120_Isolator, Dragunov, Disassembler, msr
Maneuvers

-Open Assault: Straight and easy, charging enemy lines and killing as many as possible before inevitably dying. Requires pinpoint accuracy as a single missed shot will kill you.
Loadout: L120_Isolator, msr / Python, Desert Eagle, Executioner / Sleight of Hand / Tomahawk and Flashbangs

-Overwhelming Fire: Only possible with the Disassembler, Requires a bottleneck from which you can fire continuously into enemy lines. Very straight forward, but only possible at higher levels
Loadout: Disassembler / Python, Desert Eagle / Scavenger, Sleight of hand, Marathon / Tomahawk and Flashbangs

-Unstoppable: The ultimate in assault sniping tactics, requires a massive credit bank and plenty of extra lives. Only possible with an L120_Isolator (but can be attempted with other weapons if your accuracy is good enough). The basic concept is that, with super armor and an Isolator, you cannot be stopped as you wade into enemy lines. Should you take damage, always remember to take cover and let your teammates have some kills
Loadout: L120_Isolator, Disassembler, msr / Python, Executioner / Juggernaut and Super Armor / Tomahawk and Flashbangs


Fade Sniping: The most stealth oriented Sniping class in this guide, the Fader attacks silently from mid-range distances all the way up to right in the enemy’s surprised face before instantly vanishing to take another strike from a seemingly impossibly different location. One of the most difficult of the styles, Faders take full advantage of their arsenal, using perks like speed or marathon to get where they need to go. This class is very interchangeable.
Weapons: L118a, Barrett 50 Cal, L120_Isolator, msr, Dragunov
Maneuvers

-Ninja: Very stealth oriented, requiring firm understanding of enemy sight and quick reaction capability to avoid death. Ninja style users tend to utilise very small cover to appear as if they couldn’t have gotten where they have. This style also requires extensive understanding of your arsenal, using flashbangs when needed to surprise enemies. Also tend to be very good at parkour to get to locations where they can jump down on enemies for a point blank headshot. If done correctly, this style can be the most deadly style in this guide.
Loadout: Any / Python / Marathon, Speed, Scavenger, Juggernaut , Sleight of Hand / Tomahawk and Flashbangs


-Invisible OSK: This style uses the map to it’s full advantage, shooting from far closer than the enemy sees coming. Ditches and ruined buildings are perfect for these snipers, as they pick off one enemy at a time without anyone knowing where they are. Killing takes longer when done correctly however, as the enemy needs to be distracted so that you are not discovered and attacked from behind.
Loadout: L120_Isolator, Barrett 50 Cal, L118a / Python / Scavenger, Sleight of Hand / C4


-The Crowd: This is a unique form of combat seen only by snipers. I myself have only done it successfully once or twice, and have decided not to do it since. This brutal form relies on the sniper’s own team to be used as shields to aid in their escape. Regularly used by accident, when used purposefully it can either aid or destroy your team. This is due to the skill level overall, if you draw a force of hostiles to a group of your allies they may kill all of them from sheer surprise, but the same can be said for your allies, as they may be slaughtered. This style should only be used in large servers where success is more of a possibility.
As this is purely a style of playing, there is no designated loadout for “The Crowd”


Rage Sniping: Emotions are powerful, and can very much influence your style of play. Aggressive sniping is based around being angry and brash (save the Ninja style, which is more passive). The Rage attack form is something beyond Assault, and usually gets the user killed. However, the best plays of Mc-War are usually made by one player getting really mad at the enemy and going rambo, so why not snipers? Admittedly, I have used this form more times than I care to admit, and can vouch for it’s effectiveness, even if it sounds ridiculous to most. This style is based off Quickscoping
Weapons: L120_Isolator, Disassembler, msr, Dragunov
Maneuvers

-Controlled Explosion: When you're starting to get pissed off, blow off some steam, and some enemy skulls. This attack form is based around the use of quick, room to room sweeping attacks with your weapon. If your sniper runs out of bullets, use your python. When used correctly, this style can take down several people within seconds.
Loadout: Disassembler, Dragunov / Python / Juggernaut, Sleight of Hand / Tomahawk and Flashbangs


- “let them go first”: A meaner version of “the crowd”, “let them go first” essentially means to prolong your own life (and take kills) by letting other people distract enemy snipers, then picking them off one by one. Door to door destruction is still encouraged while waiting for more “assistants”
Loadout: Barrett 50 Cal, L118a, L120_Isolator / Desert Eagle, Python / Scavenger / Grenades and Flashbangs


-This isn’t even my final form: Upon reaching levels of anger to which you want to do something bad to Mc-War, rethink your idea of damaging the server and probably getting banned and go around the map in ultimate rambo mode. While you will most likely die, at least you’ll take ten or even fifteen (EMP!) people with you along the way. You’d be amazed how much better you’ll feel about dying heroically to getting kicked, banned, or otherwise punished by a moderator for losing your cool. Instead, be cooler and make yourself look like a badass! Its a win win situation

(shameless McBrawl Community service announcement has no loadout)


Now that my least favorite form of combat is over with, I can move on to my chosen form of sniping warfare...
Warning: Cryptic Sniper nonsense imminent, stop reading if you cannot continue your respectful silence to my in game passion

Passive Sniping​

Passive sniping is an art of combat. Nothing is more amazing in this game than landing a headshot from across the map, or better yet, getting more than one. Passive sniping is not for everyone, it requires patience in the most heated situations and calm where there is none. We are few and far between, the only “true” snipers of Mc-War left. Many may call themselves Passive snipers, but unfortunately most have been unable to rise above they’re reckless automatic useage, or they’re rambo shotgun tactics. But if you think you have what it takes to join the few snipers who hold the principles of sniping dear, then read carefully, and take this information to heart. Most of these are simply ways of playing, and will not include sub-styles. This is not me being lazy, but rather me letting you do what you deem to be a good choice for these classes.


Support Sniping: This is the form of combat I respect the most in any player who legitimately attempts it. As it’s name suggests, this form is purely for the support of other (more important) classes to the situation at hand. This calls the user to make several different plays depending on what is happening in the battle. This could mean letting someone take a kill, but shooting them with an intentional bodyshot to soften them, or killing a unit sneaking up on someone but leaving them to take the target they have engaged. Support snipers should only take a kill under certain conditions: If it will save the life of another player, if no one else can reach the target, or if you are in personal self defense. This is why support sniping is so difficult, as it takes true understanding of what it means to be a sniper into account of every shot.
Weapons: Any
Maneuvers: See above, follow the basic principles of supporting your team
Priorities (in order): Immediate danger, Best weapon, Best player, Objective (CTF)


Area Denial Sniping: This form of combat is 100% centered on keeping the enemy from reaching it. A mix between Support and Assault forms, Area denial requires small amounts of movement to maintain a very large zone of control. This style is best employed when the map is mid-range areas between large buildings or other structures. Always be respectful of other people doing this, as this is not purely a sniping style. Your objective is not to push the line, but rather, to hold the line so that your teammates have a place to fall back to if they are pushed back. You should set up just behind your allies line of control, in most games this line will move back and forth around the map and you will get your piece of the action. Always remember that philosophy. This style requires you to be patient and understanding of the flow of the game
Weapons: Barrett 50 Cal, Disassembler, L120_Isolator, Dragunov, L118a
Maneuvers

-Aggressive Area Denial: Taking everything said above, but spinning it to support very slowly moving from area to area. Once you’ve moved up far enough, it is possible to make something called a Base Lock occur. When a Base Lock happens the enemy has been pushed back to their spawn point, but not to the level of being spawn killed/camped. Instead, you and your team has pushed the enemy back so far that you can easily capture the objective and win a quick game.
Loadout: Disassembler, msr, L120_Isolator / Python, Desert Eagle / Scavenger / Tomahawk and Flashbangs


-Submissive Area Denial: For players who want to play safe and don't enjoy being trapped in intense firefights, this style of play is for you. Submissive Area Denial supports falling back to better cover to better repel a force. While this is smart to keep in mind for all players of all styles, it is exemplified here. Unfortunately, many players will stay behind to fight, and most likely die. If this occurs make sure you are there for your team before falling back.
Loadout: Any / Python, Desert Eagle, Executioner / Marathon, Juggernaut, Sleight of Hand / Tomahawk and flashbangs


Longshot Sniping: My chosen path in the sniping class is (in my opinion) the most difficult in the entire game. Longshotting is something rather unique to the newer updates of Minecraft, and follows a specific idea: While keeping far out of range of the enemy, use understanding of the map, your weapon, the flow of the game, and the particles that are visible outside of your sight to predict where an enemy is to headshot outside of sight of the enemy. While this is said, longshot sniping is possible while staying just inside sight range (and is a modification to the style I have to use frequently due to the size of some maps). This style is very plainly not usable by newer players and should not be attempted until about level thirty. This doesn't mean you can’t try, but my suggestion is a firm one. It is much easier said than done, but is very much possible. Practice is essential for all styles of sniper combat, this one in particular.
Weapons: Barrett 50 Cal, L118a

The Weapons of the Trade
And what they are really meant to do in the field​

As a sniper, you have access to some of the most powerful shots in the game. The ever iconic headshot is something only possible by snipers and is therefore very, very special in the field of combat. But with so many weapons to choose from, it might be hard to find what’s suitable for your unique style of play. Prefer the cold killing power of the L120_Isolator? Or maybe the sleek bullet machine of the Disassembler? The choice is all yours.


The L118a
Class: Passive
Sub-Class: Support Sniping
Rate of fire: Low
Reload speed: Low
Accuracy: Very high
Range: Long
Power: High

The L118a is arguably one of the better snipers out there, and possesses a versatility in the field unparalleled in it’s class. This gun is best used by Shift Snipers, or the snipers that change styles multiple times per game. (more on this later)


The Dragunov
Class: Aggressive
Sub-Class: Assault
Rate of Fire: High
Reload Speed: Average
Accuracy: Minimal
Range: Mid
Power: Poor

The Dragunov is the first quickly firing weapon of it’s kind, sporting incredible mid range killing potential, especially in cramped areas. This makes it ideal for assault subclass styles.


The Barrett 50 Cal
Class: Passive
Sub-Class: Longshot
Rate of Fire: Very low
Reload Speed: Very low
Accuracy: Unparalleled
Range: Unparalleled
Power: Very High

The Barrett is my chosen weapon. It used to be much like the L120_Isolator, and was a one shot kill. After it was nerfed, many people considered it to be the worst weapon in the sniper’s arsenal, if not the whole of Mc-War. In reality, this weapon possesses the most potential to do everything at once than the rest of them. As a Shift Sniper, I am able to use this weapon to go everywhere in the map unopposed, or stay in the farthest edge, killing undetected. In the right hands, the Barrett is unbeatable.


The msr
Class: Aggressive
Sub-Class: Overwhelming Fire
Rate of fire: Unparalleled
Reload speed: Average
Accuracy: Average
Range: Low
Power: Slightly above average

The msr is a very interesting weapon. It focuses on quickly emptying it’s ammo into a large cluster of targets for six easy headshots before the enemy can attack. The only thing that can headshot faster than an msr is another msr with a better user. In the right hands, this gun is a killstreak machine.


The L120_Isolator
Class: Aggressive
Sub-Class: Unstoppable
Rate of fire: Above Average
Reload speed: Poor
Accuracy: Excellent
Range: Excellent
Power: Unparalleled

The most iconic of the snipers, and the most used by non snipers and snipers alike for its extremely powerful one shot kill. It deals exactly enough damage to kill on contact. This makes it a hero to the team using it, and a hated villain to the victims of it’s rampage. It is also my least favorite sniper, as I feel it goes against the idea of sniping, to support and assist your team. However, it can be spun in such a way that, getting an EMP is a way of support. This idealism I appreciate, but I still shy away of a weapon like the Isolator.


The Disassembler
Class: Aggressive
Sub-Class: Area Denial
Rate of Fire: Very high
Reload speed: Slightly above average
Accuracy: High
Range: High
Power: High

The last sniper unlocked, the Disassembler doesn't fail to impress. It is used very frequently by non snipers, sitting just behind the L120_Isolator. This is because of it’s fast rate of fire and huge ammo capacity. Though it’s reload time is a bit long (as with all snipers) it can take thirty shots before needing to reload. It is also the most versatile, able to go from Area Denial to Support to Assault in a matter of moments.

Cross-Class maneuvering
What Snipers can really do when things get down to the wire​

As support weapons, snipers are there to make the game easier for it’s team. This could mean many things, and indeed can be interpreted in many different ways. But the idea of sniping remains, and this brings me to this section. A list of three maneuvers that you can a small force of other weapon classes can perform in the heat of battle. No combat has been won without these forms used.

Crossgun Pinning: A very simple form of combat in which at least two players (intentionally or not) pin down an enemy with automatic fire. As a sniper, it is your job the then get to high ground, find an angle, and dispatch the target. Congratulations, you’ve accomplished one of the most basic in cross-class support.

Breach and Clear: When clearing a room, it is not your job to rush in guns blazing (because you can't. you’re using a slow firing weapon) It is always important to have a shotgun or other close range weapon with you when fighting in close quarters. Try to weaken the enemy, or if you can, kill them with a headshot and continue. If the fight gets heated, let your friend get out before you do as you can bottleneck an entrance and possibly get more kills than you would have.

Rescue mission: It is well against the idea of the sniper to leave a man to die, which is why this maneuver is so important. With at least one automatic or SMG using player providing covering fire, get in front of a pinned down or injured player. Take a few bullets and try to take down as many hostiles as possible to allow your comrade time to escape, then clear out yourself

Shift Sniping and Becoming an Elite​

As this is a shifty topic with many people, I’m going to put this warning here. My abilities are above most players but (this is the important bit) only in sniping. This is what I have chosen to specialize in, and the previous three thousand words of raw data on the matter is more than enough to prove that I know what I’m talking about. This also means that I know nothing about the other classes. I have sacrificed my own versatility to pursue this specific class. I feel that this is something that I have worked hard enough for to speak like an elite. So, saying this from a very real view, I am sniper elite. If this offends you then please talk with me about it, but don't make it a flame war (please). My objective is to make 0% of readers upset at me, but thats not going to stop people is it?

Shift sniping: The ultimate ability of a sniper. In a nutshell the concept is going from one style to another on the fly. Which might not sound hard, but in the heat of battle it takes quite a bit to go from rambo to Area Denial to even Longshot. The secret to this is simple. Learn, understand, and execute. Learn: Learn everything you can about your weapon, your place in battle, and how the game moves and evolves. Understand: Find and apply this information to the game and in the game. Finally, Execute: Do the action and become a Shift Sniper. Its much easier said than done, and many people can do it halfway, or sometimes think they are but are in reality locking themselves into a single form of combat.

Becoming an Elite: My consideration of the term “Sniper Elite” is the point when you can perform as a Shift Sniper in all manner of combat for an extended period. Meaning, not only must you be knowledgeable in what you're doing, but you are also wise and well experienced. I have the upmost respect for players like Phanta and Pikmin_hunter (to name just two) for this fact. They are good because they have earned it. Not just through skill and knowledge, but through their time spent here. This is why I feel like we need to honor these people, who have truly earned the title of “elite”. That being said, maybe even I haven't earned this title. I feel like I have, but maybe you don't. Thats okay, and thats one of the reasons why I love this server so much. You can be anyone, and do anything, if you have the conviction to do so. So in the end, what I want to put forward, is that maybe we never do become an “elite”, and maybe we never do leave this period of learning. But we do reach something, and right now, thats what I want to be called to show for my effort. As I am sure others feel the same about.

Closing words​

So, after that heartfelt talk I want to lighten things up a bit. If you’ve made it here, congratulations! I truly hope you’ve learned something, and maybe understand my way of thinking about the game a bit more. If you’ve just scrolled down here to read comments, hello! Please read the rest of this. I want to hear everyone’s feedback on this work. As always, my request to you few who read these is to tell me what you think! I’ll set up a poll and get a few other things put together (edit: I always forget to add a pole.. sorry guys) to make things look pretty but I truly feel like I need the thoughts of you guys to put a better one of these together in the future! So. Thank you for reading, and happy sniping


-Jkzoom, Sniper, 1/28/15

 

woot! feedback. Love it!
Thank you people for reading this guide, and those who have and held their peace.
My activity will be increasing in game so i'll be able to analyze some of the new maneuvers being used. Who knows? Maybe i'll have to make another one of these in the future.

 

thank you sir! I appreciate this greatly

 

generally, with a disassembler, you don't need to quickstep at all. In fact, quickscoping would take longer then just aiming down the sights and firing continuously

 

you have a good point, I appreciate this input. The point of "overwhelming fire" however is to rain bullets, not necessarily kill but rather pin and then kill. That way your team could potentially get the kill from a different angle when you have their attention. It doesn't make much sense to a lot of players to do this, but in the example of playing CTF, pushing the objective is more important to a sniper, and could result in more kills later. Make sure every shot is a calculated modification of the future game flow.

Thank you, Im glad you liked my guide.
(the badass part might be a little exaggerated, but I appreciate the compliment all the same)

 

I know I know
you can only read things in white
I'm not sure why. You must have some kind of disorder.
I hope that helps.