Tactics
In this section, we will list and explain the different tactics which can be used in the world of airsoft or other tactical based games. Keep in mind though that although the tactics and methods listed here have been proven to work, they will not always provide a victory on the battlefield. Never commit to a single tactic, and always have a ‘Plan B’ in case your original plan does not work.
Sniping
Back when my friends and I first started to get into airsoft, basically all of us wanted to be the sniper of the team. Looking at other people through airsoft and even through video games, its noted that the sniper or marksman role is more popular than other roles. This can be attributed to many aspects of the marksman such as the steath involved, the power of the sniper rifle, and of course, just the overall coolness of the sniper itself.
Through experience though, I have concluded that the role of a sniper is a difficult role to successfully achieve in the game of airsoft. While airsoft sniper rifles are widely produced by many manufacturers ranging from AGM to Tokyo Marui, they do not always seem to prove effective. Most airsoft guns overall lack the precision to fire consistent groupings which would be detrimental to the airsoft sniper. They are also bogged down by other factors such as the inability to shoot effectively through brush, however they are not quite as bad as I am making the sniper rifles sound.
While they suffer from these setbacks, the sniper rifles also have many positives. First off, most sniper rifles (including low-end sniper rifles) have superior range to an automatic electric gun (AEG). Along with this, airsoft sniper rifles are also made to be the most powerful shooting airsoft guns, being able to easily shoot 400 feet per second (FPS) or even 500 FPS when upgraded. Sniper rifles come in different styles and come as a semi-automatic electric rifle, or a bolt-action rifle depending on the role and personal taste of the sniper or marksman.
In order to become an effective sniper or marksman, here are a few tips:
- Know your gun. This is key for basically all airsoft players alike, but is very important for the airsoft sniper. Knowing how far you can shoot or even if you can hit your target will be a big help to you on the field.
- Travel light. Depending if you are playing as a moblie sharpshooter or a stationary sniper, traveling light is always a plus. If you have to move, then you are probably going to want to move quickly and quietly. You wont neeed many magazines for your airsoft sniper rifle, because you will not be spraying, but rather you will be making precise shots.
- Use heavier BBs. Personally in my UTG Master Sniper m324, I like to use .25g BBs. The main advantage to using heavier BBs is that your snot groupings will be tighter and your accuracy will improve, however with these advantages come the disadvantages. You will not be able to shoot quite as far, and your BB will not travel as fast. Know your gun and use heavier BBs at your own disgression.
- Be patient. Once you see your target for the first time, do not automatically take the first shot you can get. If they are too far, you may miss and then you will risk possible detection. Your target may move closer to you, giving you a better shot if you wait.
- Stay calm. Once you start to get nervous, your hands usually become shaky and your goggles will start to fog, impairing your vision. Always breathe steadily and try to stay quiet. The thing that gives most players away in airsoft is sound. If you can see your target, he or she does not necessarily see you too. Stay low, keep quiet, and wait for a perfect shot.
- Have a spotter. As in the military, most snipers do not actually work alone. They usually have a spoter with them to lay down close support fire incase things become rough. In the airsoft world, its also nice to have a teammate with you incase your target gets too close to fire comfortably with the sniper rifle.
- Practice, practice, practice. Being a good sniper in a video game does not automatically make someone a great sniper. It takes practice with your rifle to know what you are capable of doing with it. In time you will find out how to make your own airsoft sniper rifle more effective through different methods of cocking the gun and shooting it in general.
