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Tactics
Sniper tactics vary greatly depending on the game, mission, and resources
available. Tactics can be broken down into three main categories:
Solo
Small Team
Larger Squad
Solo
First and foremost a paintball sniper should never work alone. Because of
the lack of sustained firepower a shooter usually has compared to that of
the regular paintball player they should at least work with a partner.
However either because of limited personnel or the elimination of a partner
sometimes this can not be avoided.
Working alone is the easiest way not to be detected. Without having to
worry about a partner’s movements a single sniper can move with stealth to
a target. Engaging targets along the way should be avoided to focus and
ensure completion of the mission at hand. Using the various movement
techniques, depending on the terrain, the sniper can slowly make their way
to the designated Laying-Up-Point (LUP). This is the point from which the
sniper will complete their mission whether it is taking a shot, observing the
opposing team’s movements, or just waiting for more orders. Once the
decision is made to engage a target very few shots should be taken to
avoid detection because of the lack of firepower of just one person. After a
couple of shots are taken the sniper should relocate to a new position to
either continue engagement of additional targets or waiting until the other
team assumes the sniper has left the area and gives up their search.
Small Team
Working with a small team is the ideal situation for the sniper. Usually a pair
of trained paintball snipers will work together. One will be the shooter while
the other will support the shooter. This means that one sniper will have a
marker and gear setup to best place accurate shots on a target. This may
mean carrying less paint, air, and other gear along with having a smaller
hopper or marker that has a lower rate of fire. The other sniper will have a
marker and gear setup to best support the shooter. This may mean carrying
more, air, paint, tools, and other equipment. If the sniper team is forced to
engage targets outside of the mission or one of a larger size than the
shooter can handle the support gunner is there to use a larger hopper and
marker with higher rate of fire. By working in a small group the snipers will
have a lot more firepower while still keeping the overall group relatively
small and having a much lower chance of being detected. The pair will
slowly move using the various movement techniques, depending on the
terrain, to the Laying-Up-Point (LUP). This is the point from which the sniper
team will engage the target, observe the other team’s movements, or wait
for further orders. Once the target is engaged the sniper team will either
continued to engage additional targets or relocate to another LUP. From
there they can ambush those looking for them, observe the other team’s
movements, or wait for additional orders.
Larger Squad
Snipers will occasionally work with or move with a lager squad. They can
work as guides, flankers, or designated marksman.
As a guide a sniper will take point at the front of the moving squad. They
will use their movement techniques and knowledge of the terrain to lead the
squad where they need to go. They may or may not wear their ghillie suit in
this role.
As a flanker one or more snipers will move along the flanks of a moving
squad off the main trail or path to ensure that they are not ambushed. If an
ambush occurs they can provide devastating accurate shots from the flanks
to help overwhelm the ambushing force. They usually will wear their ghillie
suit in this role.
As a designated marksman a sniper will travel in formation with the moving
squad and provide accurate shots on the opposing teams forces when the
squad is engaged with them. The sniper will never wear their ghillie suit
while in this role as to not distinguish themselves from the other members in
the squad.
Sniper tactics vary greatly depending on the game, mission, and resources
available. Tactics can be broken down into three main categories:
Solo
Small Team
Larger Squad
Solo
First and foremost a paintball sniper should never work alone. Because of
the lack of sustained firepower a shooter usually has compared to that of
the regular paintball player they should at least work with a partner.
However either because of limited personnel or the elimination of a partner
sometimes this can not be avoided.
Working alone is the easiest way not to be detected. Without having to
worry about a partner’s movements a single sniper can move with stealth to
a target. Engaging targets along the way should be avoided to focus and
ensure completion of the mission at hand. Using the various movement
techniques, depending on the terrain, the sniper can slowly make their way
to the designated Laying-Up-Point (LUP). This is the point from which the
sniper will complete their mission whether it is taking a shot, observing the
opposing team’s movements, or just waiting for more orders. Once the
decision is made to engage a target very few shots should be taken to
avoid detection because of the lack of firepower of just one person. After a
couple of shots are taken the sniper should relocate to a new position to
either continue engagement of additional targets or waiting until the other
team assumes the sniper has left the area and gives up their search.
Small Team
Working with a small team is the ideal situation for the sniper. Usually a pair
of trained paintball snipers will work together. One will be the shooter while
the other will support the shooter. This means that one sniper will have a
marker and gear setup to best place accurate shots on a target. This may
mean carrying less paint, air, and other gear along with having a smaller
hopper or marker that has a lower rate of fire. The other sniper will have a
marker and gear setup to best support the shooter. This may mean carrying
more, air, paint, tools, and other equipment. If the sniper team is forced to
engage targets outside of the mission or one of a larger size than the
shooter can handle the support gunner is there to use a larger hopper and
marker with higher rate of fire. By working in a small group the snipers will
have a lot more firepower while still keeping the overall group relatively
small and having a much lower chance of being detected. The pair will
slowly move using the various movement techniques, depending on the
terrain, to the Laying-Up-Point (LUP). This is the point from which the sniper
team will engage the target, observe the other team’s movements, or wait
for further orders. Once the target is engaged the sniper team will either
continued to engage additional targets or relocate to another LUP. From
there they can ambush those looking for them, observe the other team’s
movements, or wait for additional orders.
Larger Squad
Snipers will occasionally work with or move with a lager squad. They can
work as guides, flankers, or designated marksman.
As a guide a sniper will take point at the front of the moving squad. They
will use their movement techniques and knowledge of the terrain to lead the
squad where they need to go. They may or may not wear their ghillie suit in
this role.
As a flanker one or more snipers will move along the flanks of a moving
squad off the main trail or path to ensure that they are not ambushed. If an
ambush occurs they can provide devastating accurate shots from the flanks
to help overwhelm the ambushing force. They usually will wear their ghillie
suit in this role.
As a designated marksman a sniper will travel in formation with the moving
squad and provide accurate shots on the opposing teams forces when the
squad is engaged with them. The sniper will never wear their ghillie suit
while in this role as to not distinguish themselves from the other members in
the squad.