Snipers are a class of Tier 2 weapons in Left 4 Dead 2. Characterized by scopes, high damage and low mag size. They are a staple of every campaign and a game of L4D2 without a sniper is incomplete. The snipers in game are: The Hunting Rifle (Ruger Mini-14), The Military Sniper (G3/SG1/MSG-90 hybrid), AWP (Actually an AWM) and Scout (based on the real thing). Snipers usually spawn on the second map of a campaign (some on chapter 1) and are the main weapon of Zoey and Ellis.

1. Fairly Common
2. Very Powerful (all snipers can one shot)
3. Generous With Ammo
4. Extremely Accurate
5. Very Versatile in Range with some use in CQC


1. Low Ammo (except for one)
2. Slow Rate of Fire
3. Somewhat Sluggish Reload Speed
4. Scope doesn't let you see all of the hazards
5. Punishing Friendly Fire on Expert

Snipers are a very broad topic to talk about so I'll get into the basic tactics of all the variants in game.




Real Name: Ruger Mini-14
Clip Size/Reserve: 15/150
Damage: 90
DPS: 360

A classic among L4D1 players, the Hunting Rifle is the "basic" sniper in the game, akin to the M16 and Tactical Shotgun. It's short mag size and high reserve makes it popular among beginners of the game. It's recommended strategy is very simple: aim, shoot and repeat. Alternatively, you can rush since it strangely has the highest moving accuracy of any tier 2. Overall, the Hunting Rifle is a basic sniper and a good pick for any beginner.




Real Name(s): G3/SG1 and MSG-90 hybrid with AK-74 muzzle (for some reason)
Clip Size/Reserve: 30/180
Damage: 90
DPS: 360

The second best weapon in the game, (after the you know what) the Mil Sniper is a better version of the Hunting Rifle with a few nerfs. For one, it's moving accuracy is worsened and you have less reserve ammo (6 mags compared to the HR's 10 mags.) But it's higher ammo capacity means that you can ensure more dead targets at your feet and even suppress special infected. It's main strat is literally just the same as the HR but now you can kill more! The rushing part is a different story, you may need to scope and crouch more often than the HR and M16.

Gee now that that's done, what's next? OH WAIT!



a h c r a p




AWP:
Real Name: Arctic Warfare Magnum
Clip Size/Reserve: 20/180
Damage: 115
DPS: 115

Scout:
Real Name: Steyr Scout
Clip Size/Reserve: 15/180
Damage: 105
DPS: 115.5

The contender for the worst weapons in the game, the AWP and the Scout are the 2 CSS snipers in the game. Known for their sluggish performance and high damage, they are a risky set of weapons to use. You can't rush with them since your chances of missing will make you vulnerable to anything and are practically useless in hordes. The only significant use of these 2 are their ability to kill most special infected in one hit. To increase your chances of survival, take a good secondary with you. The dual pistols and melees are good choices even more so than the magnum. But after that I really don't have anything to say about the AWP and Scout.

As a sniper, your job generally is to cover your teammates and take out special infected in the distance. Take a good side arm as well, your secondary is important to survival. A melee weapon is recommended but dual pistols and magnums work too. You generally have to stay behind but not too far to cover your teammates. In scavenge finales it's recommended that you camp in the gas tank while your teammates gather the gas. On realism games, headshots are recommended to save ammo and with the sniper scope, you'd probably click their heads easily. In some finales, take the high point and watch the long choke points. And when fighting tanks, take to the back and dump mags into his face. And if you don't have a shotgun, you can kill a witch by stunlocking her with a headshot. You can rush too but it's generally not recommended and you can lose ammo. It's important that a sniper is complimented with a support weapon like an M16, SCAR and SG-552. It's also important that you should be far enough for your teammates to help you if you slip up.

In conclusion, the sniper is an important tool for you and your team's survival. They are invaluable in some maps and are mighty dangerous to specials in the distance. They have shortcomings like all the weapons in the game but as long as you have a steady trigger finger and a stern hand/arm you can snipe 'em all! So thank you for reading this guide, this is my second so far after the M16 guide and I hope you enjoy this one. Bye!