Written by Kultabashi, as interviewed by Brahma and Ogre: Among the many roles one can play in airsoft, the role of a sniper is most sought after. Although many may think that all that is needed to be a team sniper is a long r­ifle with extended range and an attached scope, this is merely but a tool to help accomplish the job. To be an airsoft sniper is not only to have the right tools but also the right mindset and character in order to maximize the use of these tools.

There are many readily available sources of information on basic to advance airsoft sniping skills—from gun handling to common loadouts, choosing the right ghillie suit to even enhancing sniper tactics. These information are mostly in various mediums like CDs, DVDs and even online army manuals from the Internet. With these information becoming handier to everyone, almost anybody can easily learn the tricks of the trade relevant to airsoft. Skills are honed through on-field experiences and constant practice. However, one factor that sets an airsoft sniper apart from all the rest is, sadly, the most overlooked and oftentimes forgotten—the RIGHT ATTITUDE.

In a standard squad, it is usually the sniper or the designated marksman (DM), in some cases, who has the most powerful rifle, capable of projectile speeds of 450fps (minimum) to as much as 600fps to 700fps, maximum. (Editor’s Note: Most countries, especially where airsoft is legal, implement muzzle velocity ceilings or limits, usually set at 380fps to 400fps. In the Philippines, the set limit is at 550fps, but some airsoft players are known to modify their guns to fire at much higher velocities.) The higher muzzle velocity gives an airsoft sniper a great range advantage over standard skirmishers. Also, the higher fps rating allows an airsoft sniper to use heavier BBs—0.28g, 0.3g, 0.36g and 0.43g—for a more stable trajectory. The heavier BBs are preferred by airsoft snipers to enable them to direct a single shot with greater distance and accuracy,  further increasing his overall value in the squad. An airsoft sniper’s shot should be able to penetrate light foliages and bushes, compensate for changing wind direction and speed, and, most importantly, precise. Careless shot placements, miscalculations in distances and undisciplined firing by an airsoft sniper more often could lead to a chipped off tooth, ruptured skin and broken masks or goggles, which could potentially damage one’s eyes.

WHEN TO FIRE AND NOT TO FIRE...

There are many cases in the past where snipers had unintentionally injured players during games. The power wielded by many snipers is almost similar to one who wields a 0.177 cal air gun used for competition target shooting. Often times, it is the team sniper’s task to pick out “zombies”, most often than not, due to the “umph”- factor generated by a sniper’s rifle. However, this should not always be the case.

Airsoft snipers must always maintain a constant state of fire discipline. He should know when he is at an advantage and what are his disadvantages in any given moment. Factors like cover and concealment, number of enemies, tactical positioning, as well as egress points must always be considered. Having control over these factors allows an airsoft sniper to dictate the outcome of the game.

The best advantage a sniper has is that his location, most of the time, is only known by him and a select few in the team. This way, chances of him being detected are slim. Stealth and concealment are his best friends. A sniper, when concealed should shoot only if he is able to maintain undetected or when he has a clear plan as to where to reposition after two or three shots. Otherwise, it would be unwise to engage.

HOW TO CHOOSE AND WHERE TO SHOOT A TARGET

Having the luxury of choosing his target, is always an advantage to a sniper, since he is able to carry out an engagement under his own terms. Normally, airsoft snipers choose priority targets. These are most abundant in long games where roles are defined—generals, squad commanders, radio operators, VIPs, as well as other snipers.

However, this is not true during regular games, where almost everyone can switch roles at any given time. Here is where an airsoft sniper mindset should be practiced. It is best that the airsoft sniper chooses targets—players that can help organize enemy squads, such as squad commanders and pointmen. Eliminating these individuals from the game, oftentimes have the psychological impact on the enemy team, which reverberates down the command lines, leaving them clueless and open to followup shots, as well as assault from the sniper’s teammates. The lesser a sniper misses; the greater shock value on the remaining squad members he wields.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not effective to “shoot where it hurts”. This attitude can be very detrimental in the sports as it breeds more ungentlemanly conducts during games. A sniper should target areas in the player’s body where his shots cannot be interpreted in any other way but a clean hit. Examples are: the helmet and the vest, which usually reports a “thud” or a “thwap” that is audible enough to be recognized as a hit. To illustrate my point, when a tango’s head pops out from a corner, most players would engage right away. A seasoned airsoft sniper would wait until the tango shifts forward and moves away from the corner. That is the best time to engage since he would already have his entire body out in the open—presenting a much larger target that is far easier to hit.

Also, snipers should also be aware of their weapon’s maximum effective range and the minimum engagement distance. Shooting at their gun’s maximum range lessens their effectiveness and the likelihood of getting a hit vanishes, at the same time, shooting at a very close range can injure someone, especially when the sniper rifle is rated as 500fps or more. When at close range, that’s where a sidearm or a secondary weapon comes into play, a necessary addition to an airsoft sniper’s arsenal.

WHEN TO SWITCH TO A SECONDARY WEAPON

Ideally, a secondary weapon for an airsoft sniper makes up for the deficiencies of his main weapon. A bolt action rifle, although more powerful in terms of muzzle velocity, is useless when a sniper is on the run, or having to defend himself from an onslaught of skirmishers. A shortrange, high-ROF assault weapon or a pistol would be more appropriate in the given situation.

A sniper should always be ready and alert in recognizing situations where his primary weapon presents more disadvantages, and should be quick to switch to his secondary weapon.

Some situations that call for a secondary weapon are:

• When an opposing player has strayed too near your location for a long-range rifle to be used safely.

• When the number of opposing players would require you to “bug out” of your current location and reposition. Before moving, be sure that you have your secondary weapon at the ready, in case you are detected.

Secondary weapons vary from one individual sniper to another. Knowing the advantages of all the tools in your arsenal is knowledge that can keep you in the game.

GETTING PSYCHED-UP BEFORE THE STALK

Aside from having the right physique and effective tools of the trade, playing the airsoft sniper role requires much psychological preparations than you could have imagined. One must remember that airsoft snipers usually operate alone and as far away as possible from the rest of his team. Game or not, being by your lonesome can have its effects.

When you break off from your team to stalk an enemy or target, the calm and quiet may be your best friends, just do not forget that you too, are as good a target as the ones you’re hunting if you fail to utilize your surroundings properly. Secondly, haste makes waste. This is especially true for airsoft snipers. Common pitfalls for some airsoft snipers are over eagerness or aggressiveness when faced with a target. This is where discipline on when to shoot or not to shoot kicks in. Of course, this being a game, the lure of having the bragging rights of having made the most kills can, most of the time, make one forget the role. Oh well, that’s just being human… but, for those who are serious about their roles as airsoft snipers, no amount of “wholesale kills” should tempt him to stray from the doctrine of snipers: one shot, one kill.

Operating alone and faced with the prospect of having to engage a 6-man patrol can be unnerving to an airsoft sniper—seasoned or otherwise. Panic, anxiety, fear and doubt are just some emotions that one feels in situations like this, and to most inexperienced airsoft snipers these thoughts could muddle their decision-making capability.

• “There’s too many of them! I am out-gunned and outnumbered…”
• “If they spot me, I’m toast as I am in the open with no cover…”
• “Where are my team mates? I will need cover fire.”
• “If they start firing at me, it’s gonna hurt bad!”

These are just some thoughts that you have to deal with, and having these thought will help you determine your next moves. Thinking constantly should be made a habit for airsoft snipers. It helps keep them on their toes.

In the above situation, realizing that the enemies’ numbers put you at a disadvantage will keep you from blasting away at them, unless, you have secondary, tertiary (and so on) positions to move to. Shoot-and-scoot. Secondly, being aware at being spotted makes you conscious of your movement and effective use of your camouflage. Also, knowing the positions and locations of your teammates will ultimately factor in to your decision on whether or not you should engage the patrol. If your teammates are just nearby, you can alert them via a predetermined signal of approaching patrol and let them deal with it. However, when you do not know where your teammates’ exact positions are, better that you shoot-and-scoot, picking off the patrol one by one.

The above situation is just an example of the psychological demands an airsoft sniper face in every game or scenario. This aspect of an airsoft sniper’s role is seldom discussed in forums and boards, or even by fellow snipers. An airsoft snipers’ mindset should not dwell too much on the question of how many kills one makes, but rather, how he got those kills.

In closing, airsoft sniper or not, it is best that we go to the game with the right attitude and mindset, and that is: to have fun with friends.

KULTABASHI'S PROFILE

Team: Apocalypse
Preferred Weapon and Loadout:

• I usually go out with a bolt action rifle (BAR) with 90 rounds (3 magazines) worth of ammo, a GBB pistol with 30 rounds (1
• magazine), a radio, my BDU, safety equipment and my Ghillie.
• I always go for the Light Scout loadout—lighter loads mean longer endurance in the heat and rain.
• I switch to a semi-auto M16 class rifle depending on the scenario and environment.