Specific Strategy: Rock2

Sniping Outside/Sniper War

If you prefer having a sniper war in Rock, the most commonly used sniper war place is the top ledge over the inside doorway. I reccomend staying in the back part of the ledge so you are not close to the wall (up front). This way there is less of a chance for another sniper to see you through a wall. Keep the dot below the window so the enemy sniper does not know you are present (as shown in the first and middle picture).

If there are no snipers present on the other team, go to the front part of the ledge, near the window, and snipe anything that comes out of the enemy's doorway (right picture). If there are snipers on the other team, keep a low zoom so you can see the top and bottom at the same time.

Always look for an enemy sentry that may be visible from their window in yours. If you see one, charge up your dot and get rid of the gun in one shot. This is helpful to your offense.

One of the best places to snipe, outside of your base, is on the ramp in the water. Here, you can get enemies in the window, coming out of the door, and under water. Be sure to let off a shot before you shoot an enemy because both of your feet may not be on the ground. Charge up your dot by crouching in the water, this way the enemy does not see you when you have a weak charge. A smaller zoom is very useful here so you can see every part of the enemy's base (windows & doors).

Most video cards cause the water to be foggy (as shown in the right picture), but others allow you to see through the water clearly. If you have a fogged up water, like the one above, get the enemy when they come up close or by searching for their name when your crosshairs pass by them. This may take some practice.

With the release of TF 1.5, there has been a doorway bug where the doors stay open without anyone by them. Take advantage of this bug and sniper from the doorway (left picture). Hit anything coming out of the enemy's base, but be careful about snipers in the opposing window, if you start walking outside, they can see you first and get a leg shot off of you.

Another spot is in the water under your own, or even the enemy's ledge (middle picture). Take advantage of this spot if you can see under the water with your video card. Just be sure to have a 'swim up' key so you can take a breath of air.

A spot less commonly used because it is not known of is on the side of the rocks outside (right picture). To get here, swim up to the rocks on your base's left side and just climb up. There is a very thin ledge there that just barely keeps both of your feet on the ground. Just stay close to the wall and you will not fall off.

Sniping Defensively

Rock is another level that sniping on defense is very useful. You can snipe either on the ledge above the front door, inside your yard, on the way to the key/gas chamber, or in the tunnel.

The first set of pictures show places to snipe on the front ledge. These places work well if you are good at making over-the-head shots. Just make sure you are not in view from the enemy sniper's window or you will be sniped without warning.

This is a good spot if your team has a sentry gun anywhere above the door. Protect the sentry- hit anyone that tries to kill it from the doorway. This way, it is hard for the enemy to get rid of that gun.

There are so many places to snipe from in the yard. You can hide under a light post (above/left picture), walk around on the rail, hide in the corner shadow's in the yard (above/middle picture), crouch on top of the posts (above/right picture), go inside the respawn doorway (below/left) and on top of the roof on the side of the main doorway (below/right). Getting to most of the places is pretty self explanitory. To get above the light posts, just jump/duck on top of the rail, ontop the post; you can even go on top of the light with a jump/duck. In order to get on the small ledge on the roof, another little known area, just jump onto the posts that do not have the lights on them and jump/duck onto the roof. Just like the small ledge outside, there is just barely enough ground here to move across it. You can only go on the roof above the main doorway (at least to my knowledge).

You can also snipe in the path of the warden's office or gas chamber. Good spots include the three shown above- In the corner of the hallway leading to the warden's office (left), in the corner of the hallway to the gas chamber where you can see the main path to the chamber and wither of the doorways (middle), or on the top ledges on the way to the gas chamber (right). Just be quick and accurate, you'd usually only have one chance to get the enemy that is passing by.

When your tunnel has been opened, you know that the enemy will use these places to get into your base. You can snipe in the tunnel entrance (above/left) or the grate entrance (above/right) to get the enemy by surprise as they come into your base. You can also go into the tunnel and snipe. Go either under the grate (below/left) or on the far side of the water (below middle). If your tunnel is not opened, but the yard is breahced, snipe on the fallen rocks (below/right); here you can get any enemy demoman who wants to open the tunnel. Just make sure you are on a spot where both feet are on the ground. You may take a while finding the tight spot.

Sniping Offensively

A lot of people probably do not realize it, but snipers are very useful when it comes to offense in Rock. Not only can you bug the enemies by hitting them in their own base, but you can clear the path of defense and, most importantly, sentry guns.

Never go into the enemy's yard without a charged dot. Always charge up your rifle before making your entrance; this way you are ready to kill any defense (especially snipers and sentry guns) that will spot you right away. If your path is clear make a run for the top ledge or a dark corner.

Sniping on the enemy's top ledge is a fun way to irritate their players and throw off their defense (left & middle pictures). When they know you are present, be aware, their main target is you because you are a big threat to their defense. Make sure you keep switching spots. After making a few shots, hide for a little bit so the enemy thinks you were killed, then start shooting again.

You can also snipe in the dark corners of the enemy's base. Sometimes you may be able to fool them for a little while if they think you are one of their snipers. Just remember, in the corners, you are pure bait for their guns and grenades.

If you team is having trouble getting rid of a sentry gun that is in the enemy's front doorway entrance, help them out. All you need to do is charge up your dot while standing outside of thier door, creep in, and take a quick shot at the gun (left picture). Just be careful for other's guarding the gun and grenades. If you are in the enemy's base charge up behind a wall and take a shot at the gun and any enemy guarding it (right picture).

Main Hiding Points

There are really only ten good places to snipe from outside. Snipe according to the enemy's offense/snipers or where you feel more comfortable.

1-6. These places are pretty self explanitory. The battlements inside the window. Snipers use this place most commonly in a sniper war.
7. The doorway is another common place to snipe from. Watch for enemy snipers here especially when the doors are jammed open. Also, snipers may just be outside in the open.
8. Under the water. If there is a sniper under the water on the enemy's side, watch out- if they are really good at sniping by looking for a players name, they can get you easily. Always look for theur heads when they pop out for air, that's your best chance to get them.
9. If a sniper is hiding on the rasmp, you may only be able to see the tip of their head. Do not aim for the head if they are crouching, aim low or you will hit behind them.
10. The ledge is very rarley used, but be on the look-out over there anyway. Some snipers are pretty tricky.

These diagrams are for offensive and defensive sniping. They show each spot where you can snipe from in the yard. I am not going to go into any detail about them since they were already explained above. These pictures just give you a better understanding of the places I was talking about.

-- Created by [DoH]-SnipeR-ChiK-HS-[+SUF] --