Supporting the Sniper

Another great strategy link: http://nikon.bungie.org/gameplay/stratguide/

Today, I'm writing a little about supporting a slayer that is a spider or hawk. If your slayer is the type that likes to wait for opportunities, you’re in luck. This is a great strategy especially if you have the lead. It forces the opposition to attack on your turf and they often do so in predictable ways. Your job is to keep them coming. Poke your head around a corner and take a shot or two to lure your enemy into a trap. Save your grenade instead of throwing it straight at them. Remember, you’re not the best slayer, your teammate has a better chance at finishing them. Instead, time that grenade to land just as they round the corner as they pass it. They will have passed the point of no return and won’t have the shields to fend off your slayer’s snipe body shots. If the enemy avoids your grenade by jumping, they are as good as dead. Jumping puts a player on a predictable path that a good sniper can easily hit.

The same general strategy will work if your slayer has sword or shotty. You can bait players into following you. Make sure you call out "Sword, two on my tail". This situation usually doesn't last long because a good team will avoid a shotty trap by grenade spamming enclosed spaces. Be aware that you may only get a few kills before the enemy changes its strategy. Keep some distance from your camping teammate so that you don't become a double kill.

If the enemy is aggressive and travels in packs, you’ll need to stay a little closer to your slayer. Protect his flank to keep him alive. Compensate for the slayer’s weapon set. If he has snipe and BR, perhaps he’s not bright, but if he’s got good aim you shouldn’t complain. Grab a mauler or shotty to take care of anyone that gets too close. Your goal is still to "not die" but you'll have some tough decisions to make when the enemy rushes in. Sometimes you'll have to leave your slayer to fend for himself, sometimes you'll have to take one for the team to keep him alive.

Even though you’re playing a support role, you can still lead the team. Tell your teammates what you’re doing and always communicate enemy positions as you see them. If you’re playing on Narrows, always call out dots you see above or below you and especially enemies coming through the man cannon trying to flank you. If other players keep rushing the enemy and disturbing your trap, tell them to back off or ask them to cover a different flank. Most other players will listen to direction if you just politely give some.

Feeding kills to your other players is difficult to do. They need to know what you’re doing so they can be ready and you need to be selfless enough to give up the kills. Its tempting to just try and finish off enemies yourself but remember, your goal is to “not die”. Once again, this is a mindset change. A support player doesn't just shoot at the same spot as the slayer, a support player can create targets for the two of you to shoot at. Kills will come as you finish off enemies with one shot in them. The longer your alive, the less you’re in respawn and the more opportunities you’ll have.