Sniper's SMG

[Solgineer]

Am I the only one out there that thinks this weapon is underpowered? Compared to the other 2 choices for a secondary, next to no snipers use the SMG... it's even weaker than the pistol for crying out loud. Yeah, I understand the rifle/bow should be the primary approach to playing Sniper, but if you get ambushed the only thing you can really do is kukri them or run. I'm at least asking for a secondary effect or ramp up in power.

[TheCarpe]

Am I the only one out there that thinks this weapon is underpowered? Compared to the other 2 choices for a secondary, next to no snipers use the SMG... it's even weaker than the pistol for crying out loud. Yeah, I understand the rifle/bow should be the primary approach to playing Sniper, but if you get ambushed the only thing you can really do is kukri them or run. I'm at least asking for a secondary effect or ramp up in power.

If the weapon were too powerful you'd see Snipers charging in with the Scouts and the Soldiers. The SMG has always been the Snipers best choice for mid-range combat. Is it the best weapon? No, but it's not meant to be. It does low damage at an extremely high rate of fire, which is the polar opposite the weapons it's paired with. The trick to using it, just like the Pistol, is knowing when not to use it.

I'll admit, I usually pack Jarate, but I've played plenty of Sniper with the SMG to know it's value.

[Dirty Dan]

I'm pretty happy with the damage it does in terms of balance, I think it does a good job of providing the sniper with a close/mid range option but keeps the role of the sniper narrow. The distinctness of the classes is one of the things that makes TF2 special.

[TheCarpe]

Also, it's great for spychecking.

[Flobee]

I actually think it really hurts...and did you know it has knock-back?

I once got pushed off the stairs leading up to Point A on Gravel Pit by a Sniper who was angry at me and was shooting me with his SMG bullets. It was quite a surprise and also quite hurty.

So in conclusion, I don't think it's underpowered, I think it's underused.

[Traddles]

Yeah, that's part of the reason why I don't use it. I use pee, which is especially nice if you're using the shiv

the high rate of fire does offset the low damage somewhat, but for me I would always blow through the ammo really fast looking for spies and such. That was the bit that frustrated me most.

[Dirty Dan]

I actually think it really hurts..

Sniper shot me and it really hurt?

[Flobee]

I actually think it really hurts..

Sniper shot me and it really hurt?

I know, I didn't believe it either.

[Gizanked]

charlie bit my finger?

[Flaming Cheese Wheel]

I barely ever play Sniper but I prefer the SMG over its alternatives because it's still a hitscan weapon vs. some sort of projectile or essentially nothing. And, as mentioned, can be surprisingly hurty.

There was also an epic moment involving cp_castle and an Ubercharge...

[Boss Llama]

As a Spy, I'd much rather face a Sniper using something other than an SMG, and the SMG will tear Spies apart when used properly. I'd say it's a pretty solid weapon, and would concur with Flobee that it's underused.

[l3eeron]

As a Spy, I'd much rather face a Sniper using something other than an SMG, and the SMG will tear Spies apart when used properly. I'd say it's a pretty solid weapon, and would concur with Flobee that it's underused.

/signed

P.S. I really like that sig AF.

[Willis]

SMG isn't bad, it's kind of like the spy's revolver in terms of usage. Not damaging, but it's good for dealing with spies, scouts, and sometimes pyros.

In my opinion it's a personal defense weapon used for getting ambushers off you or fighting 1 on 1 with a low HP class.

As Flobee said it's not underpowered it's underused.

[Flaming Cheese Wheel]

Huntsman Snipers seem to almost never use the SMG.

Alongside that, the other game change that contributed significantly to the underuse of the SMG was the persistent crosshair. It used to be that noscoping with the sniper rifle required skill (or scotch tape and a pen), but when the dot's always on the screen sometimes it's just easier to zoom out and plug away.

[Boss Llama]

P.S. I really like that sig AF.

Thanks

Some day I'll figure out a rotator.