Which way do you run when facing a sniper?

[Anton17 97]

So you're in an open field with mostly equal distance between you and either the tree-line or a hill flank and you're fired upon by a sniper. You have a general idea of where he is and where the firing is coming from, even if its just down to guess work and deduction. Which way do you run?

I've seen a few people just carry on running in the same direction, hoping they can outrun the shots and testing his accuracy. As a sniper, I do have difficulty with this one, even though its more of a shoot where he's going to be rather than where he is and lag can play a factor here in the adverse sense and benefit the runner.

I myself tend to run in the opposite direction, employing an erratic zig-zag pattern until I get out of his LOS or hit the trees. It has worked for me many times, and also affects the zeroing a sniper has to adjust to as you get further away, but on the flip-side lag here can work to the sniper's benefit and he could get a lucky hit when you make a turn too early or too late. As a sniper, I've found it easier to hit targets that use these tactics.

What do you do?

[Tenebris Draco 63]

Usually, I can't do either cause it seems I get one shot by snipers~

But I would turn and book it if he misses the first round.

[Hakultair 114]

IF I run, I run away zigzagging, but most of them can't aim and miss 2 or 3 shots before even getting near. And that's all ya need to pinpoint their location and return fire. ^^

[species5021 28]

You missed an option in the poll that counts for the majority of the people currently playing.

3. Lean over the keyboard and Alt+F4.

Not trying to be a jerk but i hardly see anyone run away, they just log out...

[Disgraced 1123]

Well, when I care, I pretend that they are trying to scope me all the time.

So I run and randomly move left and right erratically.

Then often I get lazy and just run.

From what I recall from trying to shoot things, the worst for you as the target is to run straight toward Or straight away, followed by at a right angle.

So, random movements. I sometimes tap shift just to hiccup my speed, running a tiny distance if walking, and walking a short distance if running.

Edited July 24, 2012 by Disgraced

[Womb Raider 92]

Head for the nearest treeline or if we're in very open ground, get one of my buddies to try and suppress them and then I'll try and flank.

[malphos101 71]

Running at them with a random zig zag pattern is the best option. Not only does the sniper have to hope you wont suddenly change your trajectory, but he also has to kill you before you get to him.

[stinkyghost 28]

Flank him. Run zig zags toward him/

[P5ykoOHD 63]

If I have no idea where the shot comes from, I go prone and role in random circles.

Best is to run horizontal to his position and in zig zags ... total random movments is what makes a shot harder. I personally can kill people running horizontal in a straight line over 600m.

When you know the time a bullet takes to travel, it's pretty easy to just put your scope on the line he is runing on, and shoot wheh he reaches the corresponding mil dot.

[Hendrix27 54]

I don't zig zag, but I do run in the opposite direction using my own random patterns that the sniper won't we able to figure out.

[theholycow (DayZ) 2]

This discussion reminds me of a scene in the great HBO serie Generation Kill. When you get shot at by a sniper, get out of sight! Zigzagging takes more time, thus gives the sniper more opportunities to hit you. If you hear bullets flying, get behind cover and keep your head down. If you move through an open space, run as fast as you can.

And since an image says more than a thousand words:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdaQHTWT_ZI

edit: typo's

Edited July 24, 2012 by theholycow

[pyck@hotmail.com 8]

chicken dance ftw !

[Calder 6]

If I have no idea where the shot comes from, I go prone and role in random circles.

If you're out in the open going prone is the worst thing you can do (no bushes at longer ranges). Only if you're inside a building or there are sandbags or other low walls nearby is going prone a half-decent option. And even then if the sniper is on an elevated position, he will most likely manage to hit you.

[a_casual_banana 38]

I run like a chicken with it's head cut off.

[nufcmickey 32]

Ive been sniped at twice in open fields, and if Im being honest I have no effin clue where they are, I can hear what direction the shots are coming from, and I think I know, so I run in the oppositte direction zig Zagging then suddenly I get blasted by something that is pretty close, its either his friend or he wernt where I thought he was and he switched weapons when we got closer. But Nar I can never find them before Im dead.

[Izithel 23]

Generally I consider myself death if caught like that in an open field, in the event I can locate the shooter I will generally return fire or run in the opposite direction to the fist piece of cover.

Edit: 100th post

Edited July 24, 2012 by Izithel

[-Cdn-Chard 96]

Serpintine, serpintine!!!! Don't run in a straight line!!! Short erratic changes in direction might just keep you alive. No more than 2 seconds in any one direction!!

Running diagonally away towards cover is an option, making sure to ziz-zag erratically all the way. If you know exactly where they are, dropping smoke, waiting until it reaches full volume and then zig-zagging in the opposite direction is also an option.

As has been mentioned, using the same method to close distance on the sniper is also a good option. As you get closer, they'll have a harder time tracking you and likely they'll start to panic as they see a threat approaching. Use the terrain to your advantage, but once you've stopped moving and hunkered down behind an object, then you're back to the same problem, only closer. Not good.

I call it "Pulling a Nedved" and sometimes it's almost impossible to hit an erratically moving target.

[Turkeydurpey 4]

Zig zag to nearest cover.