I really don’t understand how anyone can use the sniper rifle, and the people who can use them at close range? Forget about it. I use to be really good at using them in Halo 3 and reach. But I just cannot use them well in 4. So those of you who can use them, and by use them I mean use them well. How the hell do you do it?
There’s really no fast-track to being good with the sniper. It just comes with practice.
I’ve been playing since Halo 2 and despite being one of the best players still sticking around I’m pretty mediocre with the sniper.
I was good with the sniper in Reach, but when I use H4 sniper I might as well jump off a cliff. And now I suck with every human sniper in Halo matchmaking.
I’m pretty good with close range Beam and Binary tho. They are much easier to hit in close range for me.
Generally, I suck with the sniper. Not just a little suck; a lot suck.
Every so often, I’ll have a good game with it. The very next game, I’ll suck again. I have no idea what the difference is.
The only way I use it with any kind of effectiveness is the bodyshot-bodyshot method, as flinch doesn’t do much to stop that.
I’m rubbish with it in Team Snipers but decent enough in other playlists that I mastered the commendation recently.
Well… the sniper rifle commendation is mastered, and Beam and Binary are on master… so, would I be good?
Now, commendations could mean anything, but I will go out there and say, yes, I can actually use a sniper rifle. How, exactly?
You need a good vantage point. Aim for the head. That’s a biggie. And once you have someone in your sights, wait a tad, don’t spam the fire button right when you see them. Never, ever have one shot left in a clip. If you do, reload, and if it’s the last shot in the gun, you better pray it’s a headshot.
As for close-range snipers? There’s no easy way to do it. Panic-firing normally works best, with a stroke of luck. That, or hide in a side path (i.e, one of those rock sideways on Ragnarok)and keep the sniper’s reticle aimed where the head would be.
Hope this helps!
I tend to suck with every new iteration of Sniper Rifle in Halo, but it doesn’t take me that long to start pwning again.
Personally, I only use the look stick to get the reticle close to the target and then align my sights horizontally with the head. Once that’s done, I strafe with the movement stick until the reticle is over the target, at which point I fire.
> I use to be really good at using them in Halo 3 and reach. But I just cannot use them well in 4.
You also don’t practice with them–you don’t have a CSR in the Team Snipers playlist. How do you expect to get good at anything without practice?
It’s generally a good idea to let your target’s head move into your sights on its own, instead of trying to chase it down.
Landing the 1-shot can be a tricky thing to do some days, but when it happens that perfect snipe is soooooo satisfying. Don’t give up on it.
I also find it hard to use, but I do believe that i am getting better with it. But at close range? No. Just doesn’t work for me. Like others have said, it just takes practice.
I used to be okay, now after playing cod, I suck…
Aim for the head, foreshadow your target’s head location and don’t panic, wait for the cursor to turn red.
> Personally, I only use the look stick to get the reticle close to the target and then align my sights horizontally with the head. Once that’s done, I strafe with the movement stick until the reticle is over the target, at which point I fire.
That’s also what I do. I’m not a very good sniper overall, but I’m pretty solid with snapshots (UNSC sniper).
This is also what I would advise you for close range, and of course a lot of practice (but it’s difficult in Halo 4 since with have a lot of big maps in Team Snipers and too many options like Covenant and Forerunner snipers).
Aim with the pointy end? Just kiddin’
I’m an average to good sniper as I predict where enemies are going to be and aim near their upper body/head before they appear. If you move with your sniper reticle at the right heights and predictive aiming around corners or obstacles then when you need to fire on your enemy most of the aiming is already done.
Generally try to strafe (left thumbstick) when aiming over using the look (right strafe). Once you get the combination of these techniques down it’s just practice from there.
Also use camo with a sniper and remain still before shooting at an enemy, then move away and repeat.
I’ve been pretty good with the human Sniper Rifle in 3 and Reach, and I can even headshot people out of moving warthogs, yet I still seem to struggle with the Halo 4 sniper more. I’m not sure if it’s the heavier recoil, or if the dot in the center of the reticle is larger than the last two games makes it harder for me to aim, or both. I can do alright with the Beam Rifle and Binary Rifle though.
I usually don’t scope in unless I clearly know it will be a kill since I can visually see a wide view. I usually will put a body shot in first when its a harder moving target then finish off with a head shot hopefully.
Most importantly there are many habitual players and there are certain routes that players always seem to take in every map. These are the main areas that a sniper can take full advantage of.
Aiming is just something that one must learn and it is difficult to say why you are not getting the shot to connect and take the player out. Maybe try changing your style of playing that you normally do and see if that helps.
Run and gun with a sniper isn’t like using a BR or AR and you seem to be a players who jumps right into the battle, take a breath and slow down maybe when you have the sniper. Maybe even try changing your controller set up and see if that helps with your style of play.
Being effective with the sniper is similar to playing SWAT, it’s all about anticipation. If you can predict the movements of others and preemptively line up your shots, you should be able to do fairly well.
I’m hit or miss with the sniper. Some days it just clicks and I can get up to 4 kills per clip, other days I shouldn’t touch the thing with a ten foot pole.
Anticipate shot - quick scope - massive auto aim assist - kill
Snapshots I dont concentrate to much on the reticle. Just line up target with centre of screen
I get the sniper reticle at head height and don’t touch the right stick and I just strafe into my shots and then I get easy snapshots 
i guess the most common way to get good at sniping (especially snapshots) is to use the right stick very carefully, or not at all in close range
I generally do fairly well with it if long shooting and scoping. As mentioned, anticipation is the key, and watch the reticle. some games, my connection to the host is pretty awful, and I might as well be shooting my own foot instead, but during decent games it works well (as long as a teammate doesn’t kill me for it).
Sniper maps? Not for me. I expected a lot of hide and snipe, instead it was people charging me and running/gunning. I’m awful at that with the sniper.
I’ve never been good with a Sniper Rifle. For whatever reason, I always jerk my head to the side right before I fire. It always bugs me, but I continue to do it anyway.