Sniping is something that is going to happen. There’s no permanent way to stop it. In all honesty, it’s a fantastic strategy to help bring in the resource of banked FPs to help out your own guild with. Still, there are some common ethics that should accompany this activity, so that you are being a team player regardless.

First and foremost though, what is sniping? In general, sniping is when you actively seek out GBs that don’t have a lot left to go to a level, and you’re able to swoop in and steal a really good spot for cheap and make a profit. This is definitely easier for someone who has a Power Arc to do, because of the massive return they’re going to get (so they can spend more and still make a profit), but it is certainly not restricted to them. When you have a high enough daily collection, or if you’re lucky enough to win a coveted 100FP relic in Guild Expedition, you too may find yourself able to snipe a sweet spot on a GB of your choice for some juicy rewards. In this way you’re able to build up not only FP packs, but medals and BPs too. All very good things to have.

Generally speaking, there is only one DO NOT with sniping, and that’s to not arbitrarily snipe your guild mates! This does not count if you are someone with a Power Arc who has been asked by said mate to lock their building at a rate that allows you to profit. That’s very different. No, this is going through your guild, seeing who is close where, and then sniping (or stealing) a top spot from other guild mates. This is a huge issue because you could be disrupting a leveling group, or similar deal that the person has going on. You could also be pushing younger mates out of a top spot who are looking for BPs, and that is not polite. Especially if they don’t make many FPs and are obviously working very hard to get into place. We all were at that struggle once, after all… So when it comes to in-guild stuff, there are some general rules-of-thumb to follow before making a snipe:

  • Ask the person who has the GB if they’re in a leveling group if you aren’t sure. They’ll let you know if they are, and if so, if there are any potential spots available that you can lock.
  • Check to see if the people donating to the GB are guild mates. If the GB is covered in nothing but outsiders, then you’re not sniping your mates out of a spot. HOWEVER, you really shouldn’t snipe mates and should contact about giving a good lock rate.
  • Take note if any of the mates on the GB are lower level and/or don’t have the GB yet and might be hunting for BPs. If so, it’s better to donate but stay at less FPs than them to help lock them into place, than to snipe/steal it from them. Trying to find other mates who might also be looking for those prints and locking all of them into good spots is even better. OR, taking a lock on a top spot to make lower spots cheaper for them, so they don’t spend as much. Coordinate with the GB owner on this so that you don’t disrupt a swap they might have going on.
  • If the mate is self-leveling and there is no one else on it, then you should contact about taking a spot at a good lock rate (they’re your mate). If it’s an essential GB though for beginners (Zeus, LOA, St. Mark’s, TOR, etc) then it would also be nice to reach out or otherwise let the young mates know that there is an opportunity, and help them lock into place. Since they wouldn’t already be on the GB though, now is when it would absolutely be best to lock first, making the other spots cheaper. Consider forgoing your FP return in an effort to make the other spots really cheap for your BP-hunting mates if they don’t produce a lot of FPs yet themselves.
  • Power Arcs should not lock/snipe their guild mates for less than 1.8. Anything below that is an insult to your mates.

Be mindful too of if you’re in a non-profit guild or not! If you’re in a non-profit guild than all of the above goes 100% out the window! You need to be taking positions on GBs at your return rate (lock rate) or BETTER so that you either break even or lose FPs. Non-profit guilds are rare, but do exist. If you do make a profit on a GB (by accident or by design to perhaps screw over a would-be sniper, etc), then make sure you contact the GB owner to coordinate how and where to pay back the FPs in that instance. Even if you’re not in a non-profit guild, if you’re willing to do this for your mates that is amazing. After all, a guild is only as strong as the weakest link.

Outside of the guild though, sniping becomes a lot more lucrative! While you really don’t want to snipe your mates, sniping from your friend’s list and your neighborhood is greatly encouraged! Here’s what you DO want to do:

  • Check your hood/FL for good sniping opportunities, and take them if you can.
  • Power Arcs should try to lock at the best rate possible to get the highest return. These are not your mates, you don’t need to lock at 1.8 (or better, or non-profit).

It’s that simple when it’s outside the guild. About the only thing to be cautious of are your allies who might be in your hood or on your FL. It’s typically frowned about screwing them over with a snipe, because allies are essentially an extended group of mates, and we’ve already decided we don’t snipe mates.

For those who have a Power Arc, half the reason to get one is to go through your hood and FL and snipe the heck out of folks, because with a Power Arc you’re going to get a great return. The entire idea is to go out and spend your FP packs sniping, to turn a profit and then have a surplus that you can use to do a proper lock for mates. A guild with well-used Power Arcs means GBs get raised to higher levels quicker, and that is of benefit to everyone. Fighters can get their trifectas to 10 faster, Traz’s can be made to mass-produce troops, LOA’s can be made to mass-produce goods… the list is endless.

So get out there and snipe responsibly! Your guild will thank you for it (for more than one reason)!

And in case you’re still unsure as to whether or not what you’re about to do constitutes sniping, here is a handy flow-chart created to help you make this determination:

Please click the image to enlarge it for easier viewing purposes.