Just a few specific gun guides:

EMP-5 CS: Fast reload is great for gun chases, and fighting against wolves. Getting the scope helps with the accuracy for this weapon, but requires bursting fire.

I fully agree that XEM-08 WT upgrades 2 and 4 is the best gun around!
However for the other guns I have some slight disagreements:
For two players of equal high skill, your comments are valid
But for two players of equal low (or even medium) skill, there may be some differences:
check my post about the MEC11 (fully upgraded) and SZ-552 (fully upgraded) and give me some feedback http://forums.aeriagames.com/viewtopic.php?t=566514&start=10 (updated)
Note: I haven't used any AK type that's why I don't mention it in my post

As for the sniper rifles I have some questions:
What is a "flick shot"?
Can you offer some sniper gameplay tactics based on your experience?
What's the difference in the way that you behave vs having an XEM?
Is it a close feeling to using scope at every time you shoot with the XEM?
When should you use scope for shooting with XEM (or any other normal rifle with scope)?
What is the advantage of the AWP against the EM 40?

PavlosN wrote:

As for the sniper rifles I have some questions: What is a "flick shot"? A flick shot is when you quickly move your sniper aim with a "flicking" movement to predict where your enemy will go. Can you offer some sniper gameplay tactics based on your experience? If there's more then 3 enemies, don't try to fight, fall back and wait for your teammates. What's the difference in the way that you behave vs having an XEM? That doesn't really make sense. Is it a close feeling to using scope at every time you shoot with the XEM? If you're in close range of an enemy, then you might want to use 3burst if you're a good shot, otherwise then stick with normal. When should you use scope for shooting with XEM (or any other normal rifle with scope)? Med/long distances. What is the advantage of the AWP against the EM 40? 1. Hit. Kills. But EM40 has 6 shots per clip, AWP with 5.

Thank you for the answer. It clarified some things

Let me clarify some of my questions:
"What's the difference in the way that you behave (with eg AWP) vs having an XEM?
Is it a close feeling (using an AWP) as using scope at every time you shoot with the XEM (to simulate the snper's feeling) and keep playing the same way with the same tactics? Or it is an entirely different game?"

eg. With an XEM (or any other of the guns I use) I chase the enemy, I run around trying to surprise him and if I am one-to-one I even go to fight him "face-to-face" (indeed I use the scope only in long/mid ranges or when camping), running from spot to spot, and in short, I play "agressively".
When I equip a sniper rifle, I fall back, camping a lot, avoiding running around, using only a few spots that I know I have the advantage of long range, and waiting for the enemy to come to me, hoping that he will come from the right direction. Many times I use the scope even when the enemy is not in sight, if I think I know where he will come from. In short, I play "defensively."
My question is: Is this the right way to equip a sniper rifle? Or I should behave the way I behave with an XEM (aggressively), without fear of running around, and using the scope only if I actually see the enemy (as I do with an XEM)?
Also, when running around with a sniper rifle, should I use wolf form or equip pistol, or just run around with AWP and learn to snipe fast? Should I pistol switch and back to AWP again after each shot to reload faster?

Well, in my opinion, using the XEM's scope only gives you cover from the front. I always seem paranoid whenever using the XEM in scope, as sometimes lag comes in as a feature and your gun doesn't shoot. It's like having lag in a pistol match. Your gun "jams" and you can't shoot.

But if you're a good shot, then using the XEMs scope is good. I personally never liked the XEM, the scope isn't reliable for me.

Why did you rank the ESA-80 BT so low? I really like the gun, it's fun to use, but I 'm just wondering. Not trying to flame you.

Veku_Rommel wrote:

Why did you rank the ESA-80 BT so low? I really like the gun, it's fun to use, but I 'm just wondering. Not trying to flame you.

He rated it low because it isn't good.

Nooby, my question is not so much about the XEM scope as for the AWP -sniper- tactics.
But since you mention it, I only use scope with XEM when I know where the enemy is and I know he is far away to have an accurate shot without it, so it isn't a matter of choice but necessity! Also I'm curious, if not the XEM, what is your favorite?

Veku, I have paid a fortune in upgrading the ESA-80 because I had it -as a gift- for many days, and based on its statistics I thought it would be like the EM4 which I then used.
However, I was dissapointed: compared to all the other weapons I've used for a while and liked (MEC 11, M16, EM4, SZ-552, EF-2000 FANAS, AUZ and XEM) it has by far the slowest rate of fire and it is very difficult to shoot on the move because of the recoil. I think the EM4 is much better if you want something similar to the ESA-80.

PavlosN wrote:

Nooby, my question is not so much about the XEM scope as for the AWP -sniper- tactics. But since you mention it, I only use scope with XEM when I know where the enemy is and I know he is far away to have an accurate shot without it, so it isn't a matter of choice but necessity! Also I'm curious, if not the XEM, what is your favorite? Veku, I have paid a fortune in upgrading the ESA-80 because I had it -as a gift- for many days, and based on its statistics I thought it would be like the EM4 which I then used. However, I was dissapointed: compared to all the other weapons I've used for a while and liked (MEC 11, M16, EM4, SZ-552, EF-2000 FANAS, AUZ and XEM) it has by far the slowest rate of fire and it is very difficult to shoot on the move because of the recoil. I think the EM4 is much better if you want something similar to the ESA-80.

If I use Xem I don't use the WT, I use the PT instead. In my opinion it is better because both Xems(WT and PT) are 1 hit head shot guns. I don't feel the need to do extra damage, I think accuracy is better. I don't even use the scope for the Xem, just the three round burst. The PT is better on accuracy and on the move then the WT.

I don't usually use a Xem anyway. My weapon set is usually Basic AK-ST or M4-ST, AK-PMC(top 3 upgrades), Auz(All ups), and AWP(No ups).

Thanks for the advice! It really did gave an effect:
Actually, I've used the XEM-8 PT (upgrades 3 and 4) and I found it even more powerful than the XEM-8 WT (upgrades 2 and 4). The net effect of the increase in fire rate and decrease in power, I think it is positive, and I can live without the scope, since the accuracy is increased!
As for my secondary weapon, after reading many testimonials(!), I've decided to use the AUZ (fully upgraded). It is a lot harder to use than the SZ-662 or even the EM-4 PT that I'm used to, but the power is -more or less- the same as the XEM's, so I guess it worths the effort to master it! However, I still prefer the XEM, but I guess you get what you pay for!!
I've decided to spare the effort of sniping, since, except for 2 or 3 maps, I can overcome snipers without needing to be one!