6 replies to this topic

[Lyoncet]

I really like the idea of direct fire support, so I've been looking at builds that could support it. The only problem is I really have no idea how people accurately snipe in this game. I know heat vision helps, and that possibly the zoom mod, but it still seems like people can slam my center torso with double Gauss at 2 kilometers pretty consistently, while I feel lucky if I can keep my ERLL on them for a quarter of its fire time.

I actually tried reducing mouse sensitivity in my system prefs, but it didn't seem to do anything. Any other suggestions? Or should I stick to brawling if I can't seem to get the fine motions down?

[Drollzy]

Lyoncet, on 25 March 2013 - 02:37 PM, said:

I really like the idea of direct fire support, so I've been looking at builds that could support it. The only problem is I really have no idea how people accurately snipe in this game. I know heat vision helps, and that possibly the zoom mod, but it still seems like people can slam my center torso with double Gauss at 2 kilometers pretty consistently, while I feel lucky if I can keep my ERLL on them for a quarter of its fire time.

I actually tried reducing mouse sensitivity in my system prefs, but it didn't seem to do anything. Any other suggestions? Or should I stick to brawling if I can't seem to get the fine motions down?

It all depends on your target... If you are running directly at me even at 2ks away I am aiming for CBM (Centre body Mass) which more often than not results in a CT hit having said that there is no way to confirm as typically you would be out of ID range anyway... I snipe with the Gauss as there is no loss in damage as opposed to PPC the further away a target is and always lead your shots. Try a class that can double up a Gauss on one side of your mech (i.e one on the Right Arm and Right Torso the cataphracts are good like this) This is so your rounds are landing in the same spot. Having them on left and right can have convergence issues and you end up spreading the damage instead of focusing it.

Oh yeah I aim at the top 30% of the small blue smudge of a mech for long range sniping....(thermal view)

Good luck

Edited by cdrolly, 25 March 2013 - 06:43 PM.

[Maple Nachiman]

Join a Davion unit and they can certainly tutor you in the sniping arts. If you're not familiar with any then come play with Davions on the House Davion teamspeak server.

The address: 50.22.145.232:7345

[Loc Nar]

Any decent gaming mouse will have a button that will effectively lower your mouse the sensitivity while zoomed in, and it's likely you are using too sensitive of settings for regular as well. FWIW, my MWO mouse settings are 800dpi for normal, and 400 for precision aiming.

That said, I made my own stick for mech piloting (unfortunately 99.9% of what you hear about a stick being awful is true...) that works like a champ, even for sniping but as far as sticks go it is quite the anomaly since it uses absolute inputs (like a mouse), has no deadzone ( like a mouse) has no spring return to center (like a mouse) moves the same direction as the reticule (like a mouse), and like any mouse worth it's weight I can reduce sensitivity at the flick of a switch, in addition to toggles/macros/etc, but I digress.

[Kiiyor]

Practice and mouse sensitivity are the go. Also, it may seem counter intuitive, but slower torso twist (i.e. slower engine) can actually help.

By far the biggest benefit though is range - you don't have to be 2 kilometres behind your team's advance to snipe effectively, in fact, you will often be FAR more effective and survivable trailing about 300 m or so behind a high priority target, like an Atlas. You'll be close enough to get decent hits, and far enough away that you aren't a priority target. You'll also be less of an attractive target for the average enterprising young light pilot.

Always look for fire positions and try to stay hull down behind terrain.

[slayerkdm]

I would echo Kiiyor. While I find myself a poor sniper, hanging behind the main fray, and supporting from 500 meters or so out so can be effective. This also brings more weapons into play. The 2K snipe sounds and is cool, but most times, you will find 500-600 meters outs is quit far compared to where most people fight. So at 500 meters, your ballistics are all good, and your Large Lasers are still at an effective range.

[Buckminster]

Lyoncet, on 25 March 2013 - 02:37 PM, said:

I really like the idea of direct fire support, so I've been looking at builds that could support it. The only problem is I really have no idea how people accurately snipe in this game. I know heat vision helps, and that possibly the zoom mod, but it still seems like people can slam my center torso with double Gauss at 2 kilometers pretty consistently, while I feel lucky if I can keep my ERLL on them for a quarter of its fire time.

I actually tried reducing mouse sensitivity in my system prefs, but it didn't seem to do anything. Any other suggestions? Or should I stick to brawling if I can't seem to get the fine motions down?

This is part of your problem as well. Part of the reason that the Gauss and ERPPCs are such good snipe weapons is that they fire a projectile. At such a long range it's almost impossible to keep your mouse at the same point for the duration of your laser's beam, which means that damage will get spread around. You may only be putting 1-2 points of damage over two or three areas, and that won't accomplish much. But a pair of ERPPCs puts 20 on point, and twin Gauss puts 30.

The ERPPCs also have the advantage of the faster projectile speed, so you won't need to lead your targets as much.

Personally, I play with a joystick, but I also keep a mouse handy for those times when I really need to snipe. My sensitivity is such that at long range (1000+ meters), I can go to full zoom and still reasonably hit a mech. Aim for the center of mass to improve accuracy, and let the shots fly!