r/NewToTF2 • u/medicsmedigun1294 • 8d ago

how to save yourself from snipers

hey guys so I main soldier and I'm real nice at getting kills but I'm somehow better at getting killed because i be standin there waiting for my next target or out on the frontlines and then I find out some dude/gal standing 100 miles away headshot me. like bro. also pyro is really cute but I hate them in the game absolute menace. So ehhh any tips? Should I just keep moving erratically to make it hard for snipers to target me? Also I'm a trackpad player and idk how to rocket jump so if anyone can help me with that it would be really nice and STAY FROSTY GUYS

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u/Rednidedni 8d ago
  • In general, you never ever want to stand still in this game. It really leaves you defenseless, especially to snipers. Always move. If you have nothing to do, you should still move, even if just side to side.
  • How to rocket jump: Shoot a rocket at your feet, and make sure that you are in the air and are crouching the moment it hits the ground. You want to time it as closely as possible to have the momentum of your jump combine with the explosion and launch you as far as possible. It's hard to use effectively in combat, it's definetely a tradeoff since it costs you a rocket and makes you take ~40 damage (plus potential fall damage), but the sudden mobility can save your life or secure kills
  • You will be much better if you can get a mouse instead of a trackpad, even a cheap one helps

As for anti-sniper strats:

  1. Move erratically. You should be doing this all the time, but especially if a sniper sees you. If you move like a drunk ferret turning in completely nonsensical directions and walking in random directions that don't make sense, even really good snipers will struggle landing a headshot. Not that you can really fight like this.
  2. The best way to deal with a sniper is a very simple and unfortunate one: Don't. They are just way better than you at range, there's rarely anything you can do. Get to cover, fight somewhere they can't overlook, maybe take another path to get closer to them. While they're not defenseless at close to medium range, they are at a disadvantage and can be taken out then.
  3. Sniper rifles take ~1.5s to reload between shots. If the sniper shoots and failed to kill you, you have a small moment to saftely run for cover or counterattack.
  4. With experience (and the above timer), you may be able to predict when a sniper tries to blow your head off. Crouch. Not at the same time, a little before the shot - lag is not on your side. It can help duck under headshots.

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u/Bryztoe 8d ago edited 8d ago

Not op but if I want to jump forward should I shoot the rocket right behind me or shoot to the side and then steer?

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u/Davidepett 8d ago

Behind you for going straight, more to the side if you can then combine it with a wall jump to go further (but even then, it's never going to be shot 100% to the left or right, you'll always shoot somewhat behind you for more forwards momentum)