I joined PlanetSide 2 about 2 weeks ago and I have the basic principles down like how to cap bases, squads, controls, etc. I'm used to playing Combat Medic but after a while, I decided I wanted to try something new and the Infiltrator class seemed interesting to me. Basically, I need advice on how to start off. I have no certs whatsoever invested in this class and I only have slightly over 100 spare certs at the moment. What should I cert into first? How do I play this class effectively? What are my roles? I also heard that the cloaking device doesn't make you entirely invisible but from what I experienced, whenever I meet an Infiltrator that cloaks, he disappears completely. I'm playing on Low Graphics so I wonder if that affects anything. I'm playing as Vanu Sovreignty so my stock Sniper Rifle is semi-automatic; should I get one that is bolt action and kills in one headshot? (Since VS have damage drop off, how will this affect my gameplay as Infiltrator?) Please post and comment below. Thanks.
I don't play this class, just dabbled in it (I didn't find it to be effective for the objectives I set, light assault seems more suited to my take on an infiltration class). When it's been used against me the most effectively an infiltrator used their faction's proximity mines to lock down and retake substations. Also the class's ability to hack terminals is invaluable for certain organized squad actions - but generally I switch out of infiltrator the moment we have a deployed sunderer up.
Howdy. In my experience playing an infi, i've found that haveing both kinds of sniper rifles to be helpful. You'll definitely want to get a bolt action ASAP, but have a second loadout for your semi-auto. The bolt actions don't lose damage over range so you'll want that for the long shots but the semi-auto will be a better friend to you at mid-long ranges where you're engaging multiple targets they have the potential to fire back. First and foremost you are a sniper. Engage enemies at long ranges and take out the support classes first, medics and engineers, that are rezing and repairing, then go for heavy assault who are a danger to friendly tanks. If you see an enemy infi they are your top priority since they are an immediate threat to you, as well as your vital support teammates and can do a lot of damage if they manage to flank. Don't camp in one spot for too long. Your weapon will leave shot trails and after a few shots your location will be known. I like to move far enough away that I can see my previous spot and anyone who tries to find me there. Because of this you'll also want to avoid flubbing shots. Take the ones you know you can make, and spot the rest so long as there's no enemies in your immediate range (they can hear you call out if they're close enough) but that spotting helps your team immensely. If you like the class enough to keep going with it, you can start investing in AP mines and C4, the latter of which makes you now a danger to vehilces, allowing you to stealth in drop the bombs, stealth out and blast the crap out of something that gets near them. Finally, get good with your pistol. Practice with it. When you get into the inevitable close range encounter familiarity with it will save your life.
Thanks for the detailed response. What is the sniper rifle in VS that can one shot people called? Are there any modifications I should have for it? Should I put some cert points into my cloak? Which cloak should I get?
set your "graphic quality" option to medium and you will see cloaked infiltrators easily. If you want to play infiltrator your only option is snipe, get the bolt action and start headshoting, otherwise don't play it. Frankly I have been more useful to my team every time I pick other class than infiltrator.
I'd say go with the hunter cloaking device. That'll let it regenerate faster. I haven't really talked to anyone who invested points in the nano-armor cloak since it seems a little hoaky. The whole point of cloaking is to avoid being shot after all, and since you can't fire while cloaked all it seems to say to me is "I'm going to make the guy killing me waste another bullet out of spite" As for rifles, I think the V10 is the VS equivilent of the one I used. Pretty good all around. There is a new one called the parallax with a faster shot speed that might interest you. Then there's the Ghost which doesn't come with a scope so be wary of that, you'd have to buy one and it mostly takes the closer range ones. Not terrible but very specialized to close range encounters. I'd say take a free trial of the V10 and Parallax and see if you notice a difference one way or the other that might sway which one you want to invest in. Though honestly the Parallax is probably a good bet since it does a bit more damage and with the higher shot speed so if you want to put a silencer on it and it'll still be solid. Other than that, grab a few different scopes for varied ranges (default scope is 6x, so I like to grab 8x and 10x, 12x feels a little unecessary) Finally due to the lower fire rate, the rail slot isn't really worth it, just don't put a laser sight on it. That'd be like standing in a dark room, holding a neon sign, and daring someone to find you.
Check my guide on the infiltrator to pick up two of the popular roles/builds that most infiltrator's roll with. The thing you have to remember as an infiltrator is you're given the ability to be invisible and they tax the **** out of your weapons at close-quarter for them. Your SAOS-20 or faction automatic will lose in a gun fight with any other class's starter variant, but yours can do what there's can't with a suppressor and that's not show up on the minimap. For guys that know how to use cover and move through rooms to vanish and sneak up on their pursuers without running into another gunfight the infiltrator class is perfect in CQC as they can kill someone without giving away their position to everyone on the map. The trick to sniping tends to lie in the bolt-action however. Though the in-game stats don't show it, they have the highest base damage and longest fall-off range in the game, but the trick to a one-shot kill is hitting them in the head. Most snipers for-go the suppressor for maximum range with a bolt-action and therefore stick with the 12x scope. Using a suppressor effectively halves your distance before damage drop and reduces your fall of distance to nearly a third, which is where the bolt-action tends to meld in with the semi-automatics. Semi-automatics are designed more for those who defer headshots to putting 3-4 rounds center mass. Even with a suppressor they tend to fair better at medium distance than the bolt-action's superior damage by sheer volume, with larger magazine sizes and faster fire rates. If you're just starting out most starter rifles tend to be semi-automatic and allow you to go with either a bit longer distance scopes to get used to real sniping or even reflex sights to dabble in CQC. Scout-rifles tend to be fully-automatic and are strictly for CQC infiltrators. Most get a reflex or NS-IRV sight and a laser dot so you can fire from the hip and get into the habit of sneaking up on someone from behind, knifing them once then letting the primary finish the job. The key is getting away when the deed is done, and remembering your ammo supply is quickly spent in comparison to the other weapon types. Hopefully this helps you a little, Plague Rat is pretty knowledgeable and has been pretty consistent in dropping good starter advice. The trick with the laser dot is the L button however. Like lights on a vehicle driving around with them on makes you stick out, and having your laser on without someone you're sneaking up on is pretty stupid but the laser is only visible for a meter from your rifle so you don't have to worry about him seeing the dot on the wall trace over him if you sight in.
I would but even at "Low" settings, I get only around 15 FPS in big base battles like Bio Lab. In smaller skirmishes, I get 20-30. I really hope that the Optimization patch coming in January will boost my FPS by atleast 5.
The Spectre, as with all semi-auto sniper rifles, has its uses. It's best used from a flanking position on groups of enemies. Since you can fire multiple shots without having to re-scope it's good for landing hits on moving targets. The last time I used it I got a good number of kills and assists from mid-long range, but remember it's not the rifle of choice for uber-long-range. The bolt-action rifle of the choice is the Parallax. Highest damage per hit, highest projectile velocity, but slowest refire and reload rate. The V10 is almost identical, the XM98 is pretty much their little brother with a slower velocity. Not as good, but cheap. Using a bolt-action rifle basically means you'll be waiting for people to stand still enough for you to line up a head shot, rather than the general suppression & weakening that the semi-auto is capable of. Someone said you can unlock C4 for infi - you can't I'm afraid, but the AP mines are fun and effective when used correctly. As for what role you fill - 1: Sniping - keeps enemy heads down, and hitting the right target can make a big difference. Eg. those MAX units don't last half as long when their engineer is dead. 2: Hacking - Switch equipment/vehicle/air terminals and turrets to your side. This allows you and your team to use them while denying enemies the use of them. 3: Sensor darts - upgrade to lv3 or they're a bit rubbish. Encourage your allies to look at their minimap when you fire them. Note that only moving enemies will show up.
How well does a CQC Infiltrator do? I've heard that it is a style of Infiltrator gameplay but can anyone elaborate on this?
I'm still figuring it out (rocking an automatic scout rifle with all attachments), but my impression so far is that the CQC infiltrator is worse than every class except engineers because the cloak is relatively low value (jetpack, medic self heal, HA shield are just more useful for combat), the auto-scout rifle is essentially a mediocre carbine and infiltrators have slightly less health too. Maybe the semi-auto scout works better. If you want to infiltrate bases and actually make a difference play a LA.
Unless you absolutely want to play CQC Infiltrator, I wouldn't recommend it. I stick with it mostly because I want to feel like I got some value out of the semi-auto scout rifle I purchased, but it can get horribly frustrating at times. Those few times I do manage to survive and get lucky enough to outsmart opponents, and even sometimes reach kill streaks, are a lot of fun though. Still, in general, it's not very effective, as you'd be far more help to your team (and gain vastly more XP) as another class in close quarters. The tools available to close range infiltrators currently aren't very impressive.
It can work, but it's tough. LA generally has an easier time sneaking around and has more powerful weapons but can't hack or use sensor darts. You'll need: The automatic scout rifle, the Artemis. > With a HSNV for darkness and 1x reflex for all other times. > And a laser dot. > And I like to fit a suppressor. At least 1 proximity mine. +30% cloak regen and +30% hacking speed. Sensor Dart lv3 or 4 (the upgrade that adds an extra dart and makes it last longer). A sharp knife. One note - other people really love the Nyx but I find the big recoil, CoF bloom and semi-auto firing mode hard to handle so I mostly stick with the Artemis. Unlike the Artemis, the suppressor for the Nyx makes it almost unusable over any kind of distance, imo. Again, trial both of them and buy the one you prefer. Infiltrator has 10% less total health pool than other classes and our CQ weapons are only average in terms of damage output. Our cloak is actually camouflage. It makes us harder to spot and track, not invisible. Your best hope in CQ is getting the drop on people. If you suddenly find yourself face-to-face with another class, go for headshots or run. The average damage of our CQ weapons puts us at a disadvantage to other classes wielding their own CQ-specialised weapons (shotguns or high-RoF autos). The time it takes for us to decloak and start firing makes this worse. You constantly have to think one step ahead. If you've managed to get behind a group of enemies looking the wrong way, what next? Grenade them, or knife the ones nearest to the back (completely silent)? Where best to plant your proximity mine? When best to use your grenade? If a MAX runs round that door in front of you right now, where's the nearest cover and escape route? And always remember - if someone is really looking for you, they've got a good chance of finding you if you stick around. Bonus points if you made them rage hard enough to pull a MAX. So yeah, CQ infi is tough. You get some epic moments - sometimes you'll drop-pod in, knife or gun down 10 people then hack a spear turret and blow up a couple of MBTs and landed ESF. Mostly, you'll die alot. But that said it is rather good in a squad with voice comms. The sensor darts and cloak really come into their own when you're not taking the lone wolf approach.
And the key you need to remember as an infiltrator is you need a spotter, or at least a squad that can be keeping an eye on the enemies rolling into the building your in so you're not getting stuck getting assassinated. A good combination is finding someone good at sniping and having them keep an eye on where you're attempting to learn your CQC.
I've been playing almost exclusively as an infiltrator and for sniping. I know a very small number of people who can pull of CQC but I wouldn't advise it. My strategy is the Parralax with a 12x scope and you don't NEED much more. Take the time to flank the enemy and don't take shots unless you know they'll connect. As an infiltrator, especially starting out, the only way to stay alive is to stay unseen. My priorities target wise are. infil>medic>engie>ha>la and don't even waste your time and ammo shooting at a MAXX. The other thing to remember is to stay away from other teammates if you're trying to remain alive. I can't tell you how many times I've had my cover blown by some assault class launching rockets from right next to my nest. Just take your time, chose your shots wisely and stay out of range and you should be fine. With my parallx I haven't met a single infantry unit that I couldn't 1 shot in the head at any range and if they're also in a firefight a lot will already be damage and you can just mop them up with body shots. Good luck.
I'm exclusively a CQC infiltrator, but more just "CQ" and less the second "C." You can kill one or two people with your gun (I use the Nyx; reminded me of when I could use slug shotguns in beta...the Nyx is just a bit worse), if you have AP mines I hear those are good, too. Mostly, a CQ infiltrator is useful if you're moving with an organized outfit/squad because you can then communicate about hacked stuff. Oh, and since you're a Vanu, try to never be in a position where you need to use the Beamer...it's kind of crap. Though they did make the cloaks a bit quieter, so it's easier to get around undetected. Spot enemies for your team, and hack turrets (the giant phalanx ones, you can't hack engi turrets).
On Bolt-Actions you obviously dont want to waste certs for a forward grip, but I hear some people like it for the semi-autos. Supressors are arguably useful when you're sneaking behind enemy lines to snipe instead of flanking only the sides, which I prefer, but reduce your damage to much for my taste. Also the 12x scope by far my favorite on Bolt Action since you get nice big heads on your screen you can't miss and see people where other snipers see dots. But since the render distance bullocks it became somewhat worse. Standard or Hunter Cloak are the way to go, it's mostly preference since any skilled player will see you anyway, especially when you're moving around in the open which you simply don't wanna do. C4 and Prox Mines are very nice, but not essential, skilling the dart and hacking is great for team operations, but also optonal.
be straight up sniper, about all they're good for. sniper rifle: get the latest one, Ram, longshot, and whatever the vanu one is the damage and bullet speed along are worth it attachments: 12x scope -as for semi and auto and rest, dont bother, dont even bother infiltrating unless the base is empty or the coast is way way clear. CQC is worthless, rest of the guns simply suck certs. first goal after getting your bolt action and scope. get the S-AMS for the sunderer - when you do hack, spawn one right away, great xp - when you go lone wolf, park one away from the action and camp and use to refill your armor (helps to un-deploy so you dont get other players spawning at your site and give your position away) - get vehicle stealth, helps to keep you off the radar if you are that close (30 certs) hunter cloak - any bit of recoup time to get your cloak back up helps, invest int the first 2 levels, only 11 certs restoration kit - get 1 (30 certs) get the other down the road ( i chose this over the claymores to carry around, claymores are fun, but you don't really need them and there costly to get infiltrating wont be your priority so no real need for it and when your camped miles away there shouldnt be anyone in your area. i have caught a few ppl with claymores trying to get to my location but majority of the time they never take that path,its always a crap shoot. your bound to take a few hits from other snipers or infantry when discovered and trust me after a few head shots, they'll figure you out, run, hide, use med kit to fight another day. advance equip term (1 cert) worth having when the opportunity to hack does arrive nano armor gives health, chose this over flak, unless you plan on sitting in buildings where they're continuously being bombarded by tanks and planes and grenades, only 11 certs for the first 2 levels any extra health that keeps you alive is well wroth it. ammo belt - little pricey, save this more till last, sucks only have 30 bullets, there have been times where ive needed them and havent been spotted, and there have been times where i get off 2 shots and someone has killed me. from there i would either consider upgrading your ATV so it can climb hills or turbo boast to get you spots you normally cant climb, and for quick access to secluded locations and get the vehicle stealth. for me, id focus on getting your health up, 2x med kits and getting your hunter cloak. not too often i really needed an ATV to get to a remote area, plenty accessible landscape for you to snipe. targets, take your time, go for snipers first, and spot enemies as much as you can to help your team mates then pick off the ones you think are going to be standing still like engineers that are repairing, or meds that are healing, you'll notice them cause they look like their kneeling, and engineers on turrets are easy stand still targets. - try to avoid running targets, waste of ammo unless your that good - spotting will get you alot of xp, as before carefull cause they can hear you if youre close enough - obv. head shots only. - if you want to hack, hack vehicle terminals most are on the outskirts of bases, dont worry about supply terminal, let engineers take care of ammo resupply. getting your team mates tanks will drastically help. planes too if you can manage to drop in on the action and land on pad. players are smart, they will have a general idea where you are, think like them. if youre facing north, hidden behind shelter with barriers to your sides, and you end up dead. well obv a snipper got you from behind to the south. the fact your cloak only last 12secs. doesnt give you much time before there on you. now times that by say 8 people you just head shot from behind, odds are one of them will get you or spot you for another sniper to nail you. (as for me i generally stay in one area and try to get as many kills before they're on me or i run out of ammo lol, youre bound to get killed so i try and make the most of it. if you play it smart you go on a nice kill streak) don't bother spawning in bases if you can avoid it. most cases you wont make it out of there to find cover in the heat of battle. you can get some nice kills camping behind your allies. if you can spawn from the next base over, grab an ATV, seconds later your on a hill top behind the enemy, and while there engaging allies in front, you're picking them off from behind.
if you play it smart, avoiding goofing around in tanks, and turrets and CQC, choose your targets wisely and stick and move, you should be able to get atleast 10-15 kills 5 assist per death out of a full ammo load, minus strays from getting your bullet drop adjusted or just from targets you have lined up and at the last minute they bolt out of your cross hairs.
/Thread. They're not unique to the class, they cost too much... they suck to constantly resupply... but they get kills more reliably than sniping with low FPS does. HF.
