How to balance sniper rifles.

[HazZarD87 166]

While saying the hardest skills lie in stalking and concealment are true, saying that "anyone can be a good triggerman" is being quite disingenuous. Being a great shot over 800 meters is not something everyone could do consistently.

There are a lot of variables when you start getting out to the distances that DayZ supports. Even temperature and elevation effect trajectory in the real world, as well as cross winds and if the target is moving.

You add in all these factors, somehow, and this forum will explode with QQ that pulling off 1,000 meter eyeball shots are "impossible". Personally, I'd love it, but that's for the dev team to decide.

There's no weapon in that is viable at 1000m right now though. Anything over 800 you'd go for either a lapua or a .50 BMG

[Demoth 366]

There's no weapon in that is viable at 1000m right now though. Anything over 800 you'd go for either a lapua or a .50 BMG

In the game, not true. There are certain spots on the map where I have ranged to 1,000 meters with the Mosin and can hit people so long as they aren't moving.

In the real world, a good marksman with superb match grade .308 or .300 magnum (or there around) can hit someone at that range too. It's incredibly hard, but very possible.

But yeah, once you hit the 1 kilometer mark and beyond, you should be upgrading to an anti-material round like the .50 BMG.

Edit - I should clarify that despite shooting and owning a sniper rifle, I'm not military nor am I trained to be making those types of shots. I've done the reading and research, but don't take my words as an authority on the entire subject.

Edited March 7, 2014 by Demoth

[HazZarD87 166]

In the game, not true. There are certain spots on the map where I have ranged to 1,000 meters with the Mosin and can hit people so long as they aren't moving.

In the real world, a good marksman with superb match grade .308 or .300 magnum (or there around) can hit someone at that range too. It's incredibly hard, but very possible.

But yeah, once you hit the 1 kilometer mark and beyond, you should be upgrading to an anti-material round like the .50 BMG.

Edit - I should clarify that despite shooting and owning a sniper rifle, I'm not military nor am I trained to be making those types of shots. I've done the reading and research, but don't take my words as an authority on the entire subject.

Well not saying it's impossible of course. I'm reasoning from a first shot hit. Hitting something beyond 800m with a 7.62mm is very well possible but chance becomes a large factor and a first shot hit becomes unlikely even for a well trained sniper. In the mod we'd put down (non stationary) ppl from a max of 1300m but that took a hell of a lot of trial and error. Anyone in dayz will be long gone after the first impact near them.

 

And right now long range shooting isn't all that viable anyway since someone with a lot of gear on him takes so many friggin hits to die :P

[Demoth 366]

Well not saying it's impossible of course. I'm reasoning from a first shot hit. Hitting something beyond 800m with a 7.62mm is very well possible but chance becomes a large factor and a first shot hit becomes unlikely even for a well trained sniper. In the mod we'd put down (non stationary) ppl from a max of 1300m but that took a hell of a lot of trial and error. Anyone in dayz will be long gone after the first impact near them.

And right now long range shooting isn't all that viable anyway since someone with a lot of gear on him takes so many friggin hits to die :P

I was just implying the shots are easy now if you pre-range your shots (like a window of the firehouse tower) since bullet drop is the only factor you have to take into account. Even with zeroing maxing at 800 and no mil dots, its still pretty easy to remember where to aim to score a hit.

Now, the issue one one hitter quitters, that's a separate and agitating issue. A can of tuna stopping a 7.62x51mm is quite annoying.

[HazZarD87 166]

I was just implying the shots are easy now if you pre-range your shots (like a window of the firehouse tower) since bullet drop is the only factor you have to take into account. Even with zeroing maxing at 800 and no mil dots, its still pretty easy to remember where to aim to score a hit.

Now, the issue one one hitter quitters, that's a separate and agitating issue. A can of tuna stopping a 7.62x51mm is quite annoying.

 

Hehe.. so when the plate carrier comes with the next patch I will just take out the ballistic plates and stuff that biatch up with cans of tuna :P

[Demoth 366]

Hehe.. so when the plate carrier comes with the next patch I will just take out the ballistic plates and stuff that biatch up with cans of tuna :P

Cans of tuna are seriously packed with kevlar and sealed in dragon scales.

[real meatshield 424]

The mosin, and other non military rifles should be bolt action and should only allow one bullet at a time, in my experience mosins have always been one shot bolt action guns in games, if in reality it can take a clip that is news to me.

 

Forcing the person to focus on that one shot then un scope and reload so the target has a chance to hide.

Have you ever seen a real bolt-action rifle? Like, in real life? Even those of very large caliber have an internal box magazine- exactly what the mosin has. Single shot does not mean the weapon does not hold more than one round.

[mugur 123]

Not exactly true... M200 Intervention, DSR-1, Crna Strela , just a few from memory.

Any military rifle you can name, is either available for civilians or a very close approximation is available.

[OhNoes 4]

Basically i have read tons of comments regarding wanting sniper rifles and the only way i'm sure that this can be balanced and made fun for all players is having to make players find their parts. Such as finding high power springs, recoil stocks and more powerful frames. Finding an AS50 is a load of ass considering it is a 1 hit kill so why should it do that from having to literally do nothing but server hop? 

 

It would also make an interesting crafting feature, much like putting a scope on a mosin, and grip to an M4, you should be able to find weapon boxes containing random parts for weapons meaning you can craft weapons that way... perhaps something like adding springs to existing rifles to make a more powerful mosin, or an m16 from an m4 with the required parts. It's really quite a big feature but wouldn't require loads of work considering that crafting already exists!!

 

 

I just think that finding already over powered weapons is a bit stupid.

 

When private hives are implemented there will be no more server hopping or ghosting, ever.

 

AS50s should have never been in the game but Dean had too much of a hard on for the L85 and British arms.  The mod's weapons were way out of balance for a long time, they really still are.  I'll admit it would be nice to see the Mosin have some upgradeable parts, but that's also one big appeal of anything OTHER than an M4, there's no parts and pieces to worry about affecting your accuracy.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing an advanced rifle that can use the LRS/PU and has different parts to affect the gun's accuracy, speed, etc, though.

[HazZarD87 166]

When private hives are implemented there will be no more server hopping or ghosting, ever.

 

AS50s should have never been in the game but Dean had too much of a hard on for the L85 and British arms.  The mod's weapons were way out of balance for a long time, they really still are.  I'll admit it would be nice to see the Mosin have some upgradeable parts, but that's also one big appeal of anything OTHER than an M4, there's no parts and pieces to worry about affecting your accuracy.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing an advanced rifle that can use the LRS/PU and has different parts to affect the gun's accuracy, speed, etc, though.

Nothing out of balance in the weapons in the mod to begin with. A buddy and me have pwned 4 guys who came riding in with a huey using an AKM and a lee-enfield. A bullet is still a bullet and these guys where catching loads of them before they knew what happened. This isn't cod where the guy with the higher-unlock has a distinct advantage regardless of skill.