What’s the best way to avoid failing missions with sniping objectives?

Sniping missions in Red Dead Redemption 2 require precision, patience, and a solid understanding of game mechanics to avoid mission failures. These missions often involve eliminating targets from a distance without being detected or causing collateral damage. To succeed, you need to master the use of scoped rifles, manage your positioning, and adapt to mission-specific challenges.\n\nFirst, ensure you have the right equipment. The Rolling Block Rifle or Carcano Rifle are the best choices for sniping due to their high damage and accuracy. Purchase or upgrade these rifles at gunsmiths in towns like Valentine or Saint Denis. Equip a scope for better precision and stock up on high-velocity or express ammo to maximize damage. Additionally, bring health tonics and snake oil to restore health and Dead Eye, respectively, as these are crucial for maintaining focus during long-range shots.\n\nPositioning is key in sniping missions. Always scout the area before engaging. Use your binoculars to identify targets, patrol routes, and environmental hazards. Look for elevated positions like cliffs, rooftops, or hills that provide a clear line of sight while keeping you hidden. For example, in the mission ''The Sheep and the Goats,'' position yourself on the ridge overlooking the ranch to take out enemies without alerting the herd.\n\nUse Dead Eye to your advantage. Dead Eye allows you to mark multiple targets and take them out in quick succession, which is especially useful when dealing with groups. Activate Dead Eye by pressing the right stick (R3 on PlayStation, RS on Xbox) and mark targets by hovering over them. This ensures you don’t miss critical shots or give enemies time to react. For instance, in ''The King’s Son,'' use Dead Eye to eliminate guards silently before they can raise the alarm.\n\nBe mindful of mission-specific rules. Some sniping objectives require you to avoid killing non-targets or alerting enemies. For example, in ''An American Pastoral Scene,'' you must assassinate a target without harming civilians or causing a panic. Take your time to study the environment and wait for the perfect moment to strike. If you’re unsure, save your game manually before starting the mission to retry if things go wrong.\n\nFinally, practice patience and adaptability. Sniping missions often involve waiting for targets to move into the ideal position. Rushing shots can lead to mission failure. If you miss a shot or are detected, don’t panic. Use cover to reposition and reassess the situation. For example, in ''The Gilded Cage,'' if you’re spotted while sniping from the rooftop, retreat to a different vantage point and continue the mission.\n\nIn summary, to avoid failing sniping missions, equip the right rifle, scout your environment, use Dead Eye effectively, follow mission rules, and remain patient. These strategies will help you complete objectives smoothly and enjoy the challenge of long-range combat in Red Dead Redemption 2.