Sharpshooter: The Elite Zed Hunter
The Sharpshooter is the designated “Big Game Hunter”. Your job isn’t to kill 100 Clots; it’s to kill the 3 Scrakes that would otherwise wipe the team.
Role Overview
- Primary: Kill Scrakes and Fleshpounds immediately.
- Secondary: Pick off Husks and Sirens from distance.
- Weakness: Can be overwhelmed by swarms of Crawlers/Stalkers if reloading.
Perk Bonuses
- Headshot Damage: Massive multiplier (up to +140% or more depending on server settings).
- Recoil Reduction: Laser accuracy.
- Reload Speed: Critical for weapons like the Crossbow and 9mm.
Weapon Choices
1. The Crossbow (Xbow)
- Role: Stun & Execute.
- Why use it: A headshot on a Scrake (even on high difficulty) usually stuns him. While he is stunned, you can finish him off.
- Economy: Bolts are reusable. Shoot, kill, pick up bolt. Infinite ammo potential.
2. M14 EBR
- Role: Trash clearing & DPS.
- Why use it: Laser sight allows hip-fire accuracy. Good for clearing medium Zeds quickly without reloading after every shot.
- Cons: Does not stun Scrakes as reliably as the Xbow.
3. M99 AMR (The Big Gun)
- Role: Delete button.
- Pros: Highest damage in the game.
- Cons: Extremely heavy (can’t carry much else), ammo costs a fortune ($250 per bullet usually).
- Usage: Only for late waves or Boss wave.
4. 9mm / Handcannons / MK23
- Role: Backup.
- Note: Sharpshooters get huge bonuses with pistols. A dual 9mm or MK23 can decapitate trash Zeds effectively, saving your big ammo.
Tactics: Dealing with Giants
The Scrake Takedown (Xbow)
- Wait for a clear shot.
- Aim for the head.
- Fire. The Scrake should flinch/stun.
- Reload and fire again while he is stunned.
- Result: Dead Scrake, zero damage taken.
The Fleshpound Takedown
Fleshpounds are harder because they rage.
- M99: Just shoot the head.
- Crossbow: Requires multiple headshots. DO NOT shoot if he is calm unless you can burst him down. Coordinate with a Demolitions expert.
Tips
- Crouch: Crouching reduces recoil and prevents you from blocking teammates’ shots behind you.
- Don’t Panic: If a Scrake gets close, switching to a Knife/Pistol to run is better than missing a point-blank sniper shot.
- Prioritize Sirens: Your team’s Demolitions expert is useless if a Siren is screaming (she destroys explosives). Kill her first.