@Odie: good point. From a game's perspective though, the exclusive usage of some unit/weapon is something to be looked into however. The fact that many players exclusively use sniper rifles is very disturbing.
But ya, further discussion in this thread is moot as Colamann and BTAxis have implied that future balancing will hopefully fix this.
I am sure it will be fixed with more balancing. Actually, i am one of those serious snipers..... With 4/8 snipers, 1 full machine gunner, 1 rocketeer (cool name i give him) and 2 assaults (turned stunners later).
Sometimes for certain maps, i even turn into 7 snipers (using coil rifles) with 1 rocketeer....
I guess like most threads already have discussed - its up to the personal preference.....
And yes, we do have our uber super handicapp...... we have to move very slowly, and do tactical fire and assault movement....... not like assaulters (i call em cos they full assault rifles on 5 rounds burst reaction fire)....... who can chiong chiong chiong (local slang for heads-on brains off charge technique).
Then again, since we are so used to our sniper techniques, we have our own tactics and style..... no need to penalize us further.... we are alr TU-penalised. lol
1 thing I have to add, tho: The sniper rifle isn't the best weapon in all situations. But depending on difficulty setting, you can guide a fight in such a way that the sniper rifle (or the later analogues) are really useful. If your tactic is to charge the enemy and engage at close range, you'll do better with other weapons.
See? This is close to what i was saying earlier..... *wink*
Indeed, engaging enemies in close quarter with SR is suicide..... unless u r doing like 3 snipers at one go..... which makes no sense..... lol. Unless u r charging tat last house in the corner where every corner but the interior is covered.