The Assist: Battlefield Bad Company 2

The Assist is a new feature where we share tips for some of your favorite games. In this installment we show you how to properly snipe at various ranges in Battlefield Bad Company 2. Sniping in Bad Company 2 is unlike most modern shooters. Traditionally, wherever you place the cross hair is where the bullet will travel and it will do so in a straight line. In Bad Company 2, ballistics are taken into account every time you squeeze the trigger. Here are a few helpful tips to make you the most effective sniper possible.

- Distance and bullet travel time isn't an issue with targets at close to medium range. If you're enemy is close enough to occupy most of your scope, you can place the bullet directly where the cross hair is focused.

- Sniping at medium to long range is a bit more complicated. It takes practice and time to get a feel for distance shooting. Depending on how far your target is, you'll have to compensate by aiming the cross hair above their heads. The further the target, the more you will have to compensate. This is because the bullet will begin to drop after a certain distance. The mil dots on your scope are helpful for gauging target distance.

- The same is true for a moving target. You will have to lead the target. in order to have them run into the bullet. The angle at which the target is moving is also important. If they are running directly from left to right, you'll have to lead the target a great deal more in order to land a hit. If they are moving toward you on a diagonal, then you'll have to lead considerably less.

- You should always go for head shots whenever possible. Regardless of distance, a head shot will always kill in one shot. A sniper's goal is always "one shot, one kill." Occasionally you'll have to fire off a round with haste so this won't always be possible. If you are certain you can land a body hit that leaves an enemy vulnerable, better to gain points for assist, than no points at all. The only circumstance where a body shot is preferable, is when you know that your target is already injured and a single shot will get the job done. Killing an enemy at full health will require two body shots with considerable downtime in between shots if using a bolt action rifle.

- Only fire when a shot is possible. Sending a bullet down range when the target isn't visible or acquirable will betray your position as well as waste valuable ammunition.

- Press the "back" button on the Xbox 360 controller or "select" on the Playstation 3 in order to highlight enemies on screen. This is possible only when you are looking through your scope or aiming down sights with other weapons. Enemy positions will now be visible to your teammates and you will be able to rack up "spot points" with nearly no effort at all. The class is called "recon" after all.

- Accessories are a snipers best friend. Use your motion detection mines! It only takes a second to throw out, and on close quarter maps you can rack up points like nobody's business. Once you've unlocked it, the mortar strike ability is your new best friend. The sniper class is more than any other capable of wreaking havoc on enemy personnel. This is especially true against vehicles. A well placed mortar strike can decimate enemy tanks in seconds. It's also great for flushing out an ambush of closely grouped foot soldiers.

That's all for this week, but be sure and check back for future installments of The Assist. Leave any comments or questions below and let us know how you're doing in Battlefield Bad Company 2.