Snipers are basically pointless in this game

Well they're only useless because their damage is abyssmal.  Best sniper does 55 dmg? Then when you include the bullet drop off there is virtually no reason to snipe long range. Mid-range might as well use a LMG/AR because that's what they're there for. They could increase the projectile speed of the bullet at the very least.

They can be used on long range but is it really sniping?

Damange:

Pistols:

P2020 - 12 body, 18 headshot
RE-45 - 11 body, 16 headshot
Mozambique - 45 body, 66 headshot (this one really need to use Skullpiercer choke)
Wingman - 45 body, 90 headshot (which is insane)

SMG & AR's & LMG's:

Prowler - 14 bpdy, 21 headshot
R-99  - 12 body, 18 headshot
R-301 - 14 body, 28 headshot
Hemlock - 18 body, 24 headshot
Flatline - 16 body, 32 headshot
Spitfire - 20 body, 40 headshot
Devotion - 17 body, 34 headshot

Weird one:

Peacekeeper - 110 body, 165 headshot (totally insane, esspecially with Choke where you can mid-range snipe with it)

Meanwhile SR's :

G7 Scout - 30 body, 60 headshot
Tripletake - 39 body, 138 headshot (and pay in mind it shots 3 bolts)
Longbow - 55 body, 110 headshot (+ skullpiercer bonus)
Kraber - 125 body, 250 headshot

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Having that out the way - if you want you can use SMG's and AR's on mid/long range but it's not really sniping is it? You just spray and pray with it, it's not sniping.
If you want to snipe and go for that headshots you use SR's to disable enemy shields (or simply obliberate enemy in case of Kraber) in 1 shot and then you can try to re-aim or switch to sidearm and just rain bullets - but either way your position is compromised.

The only exception are Wingman & Peacemaker, a pistol & shotgun that outclasses AR's on range and it have to be looked at.

PS: What I like to do is use Tripletake (or Longbow if I cannot find TT) with 3x scope as a armor removal tool from backlines as Caustic. Assisting my pushing team (Bangalore + Wraith) with Nox Gas, Nades and punching enemy from different angle while keeping my barrels in case they want to rush me instead.

* the Wingman!

FFS I really need to get used to these forums since I deleted my post again while editing >.>
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Let's look at damage sheet:

Pistols:
Mozambique - 45 body, 66 headshot (this one really need to use skullpiercer choke)
RE-45 - 11 body, 16 headshot
P2020 - 12 body, 18 headshot
Wingman - 45 body, 90 headshot (+ skullpiercer multiplier which makes it so insane)

Shotguns:
Eva-8 - 63 body, 90 headshot
Peacekeeper - 110 body, 165 headshot (Insane values + choke making it mid range sniping tool)
Mastiff - 144 body, 288 headshot

SMG's:
R-99 - 12 body, 18 headshot
Alternator - 13 body, 19 headshot
Prowler - 14 body, 21 headshot

AR's:
R-301 - 14 body, 18 headshot
Hemlock - 18 body, 24 headshot
Flatline - 16 body, 32 headshot

LMG's:
Spitfire - 20 body, 40 headshot
Devotion - 17 body, 32 headshot

SR's:
G7 Scout - 30 body, 60 headshot
Tripletake - 69 body, 138 headshot (+Precision Choke, making triple barrel shot singular multiplying dmg)
Longbow - 55 body, 110 headshot (+Skullpiercer choke multiplier)
Kraber - 120 body, 250 headshot

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Having that out the way, can you really say you can snipe with other weapons and Sniper Rifles are useless?
Sure you can use other types of weaponry on mid to long range but are they effective? It's just a waste of ammo for me. Snipers are armor deleting tool, or simply obliberation in case of Kraber. And that's what a sniping is, get a convinient possition to get a clean shot at enemy headshot and disable him for the time being or kill him if he has no armor.

Any other kind of fire exchange on long distance is just spray and pray, sure you can kill enemy but it's not sniping.

PS: What I love to do is use Tripletake + Hemlock as Caustic and act as a mid range - CC support flanker. Get a high ground over fighting enemy and cover my rushing teammates forcing enemy out of cover with Nox Gas, Thermite and Arc Stars while keeping barrels near me in case enemy turns south and decides to rush me instead.
Me controling enemy movement and nuking their armors is enough to secure my team most of the fights.

Considering the fact that it would take me 4s to recover that 100 dmg from your longbow head shot then yeah...pretty pointless... You have 0 chance of knocking me with a longbow. Soon as the first shot lands I'm popping smoke...throwing a airstrike between you and me and 4s later I'm healed and gone or waiting in the smoke with a r-99 and 301 combo with digital threat scope ready to rip your face off...so yes...snipers are pointless scout a 15dmg buff. Longbow needs a fire rate increase OR a dmg buff...75 body 150 dome sounds about right triple take I've got no clue honestly...not my cup of tea...kraber is fine and to be honest the number of times you find a good sniper opportunity is rare...not too many ppl sit still in the game...not exactly a crouch camp or prone type of game...sure it happens but at a distance where a sniper would make it worth it would put you inside of AR range ( any further of a shot would be pointlessly giving away your position) all to be turned on with a 60 rnd spitfire with purple stock and barrel stabilizer and a 3x ranger scope destroying your life

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@unferth wrote:

When R-99's, Devotions, R-301's,... every gun can be used to snipe. 

This game desperately needs recoil. 

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I'm glad this game isn't full of hiding snipers one tapping people from across the map.

They are perfectly viable if you choose your moments (squads already fighting can be picked at long range but it's still an art to hit a moving target, and very gratifying when it's pulled off).

Snipers can quite easliy become OP and the meta, which is not healthy for the game imo.

It's true that sniping is not favoured in this game, but I kind of like it. I hate the sniper 1-shot mechanic (e.g. counter strike AWP) unless it's a hard-to-land headshot with strong weapon sway PUBG style.

You could just buff them enough to be played - considering the movement options in this game it should not result in snipers being used exclusively. But then again, you'd probably want a bigger map in future (that would fit 100 players) where snipers could really excel.

I completely agree...I don't personally feel any weapon should be 1 tap...but seems like alot of ppl are for some reason ok with a shotty being 2 tap body with MAX KIT. if this is the case the game will soon turn into a pile of shotty crap just like fortnite. 

I think the devs need to basically run across the metadata for gun use and do a very rugged rebalance of guns that simply don't get used.

Apex is unlike other games in that your armor never degrades. So your target take a hit in the head and goes to cover. Recharges. Runs to next cover and takes a hit in the head. Recharges. Repeat ad nauseum.

The only relevant guns to use are medium and close range. I have to force myself to walk past Scouts and longbows, remembering how utterly useless they are. When you factor in shotguns with auto-choke hop-ups then the problem just gets even worse. If snipers are not viable then they shouldn't be in the game. Halve bullet drop for them at least. They have longer barrels in theory than most of the guns so it makes sense.