In Team Fortress 2, the Sniper reigns supreme as the king of long-range precision, capable of deleting enemies with a single headshot from across the map.
Mastering the class requires not just aim but smart loadout choices that amplify your pick potential while covering weaknesses like Spy flanks or close-quarters rushes.
With infrequent balance changes, the 2025 meta favors high-damage rifles for pub stomping and competitive picks alike.
Here, we spotlight the best two primaries, two secondaries, and one melee based on community consensus, competitive whitelists, and raw stats. These weapons dominate pubs, 6v6, and Highlander for their damage output, utility, and synergy.
Table of Contents
Top TF2 Sniper Primaries: Bolt-Action Beasts
These are the Sniper’s two best primary weapons:
1. AWPer Hand
The AWPer Hand is the quickscope god—perfect for aggressive flank watches and rapid picks. Its blistering charge rate lets you spam 150-damage bodyshots or 450-damage headshots faster than stock, with zero scope sway for pixel-perfect follow-ups.
Characteristics
| Characteristic | Value/Details |
|---|---|
| Bodyshot Damage | 50 (uncharged) / 150 (full charge) |
| Headshot Damage | 150 (uncharged) / 450 (full charge) |
| Clip Size | 1 |
| Charge Time | 3.0s max (25% faster than stock) |
| Reload/Fire Rate | 1.5s attack interval |
| Special | No scope sway; louder scoped shots |
Brief Description:
Ideal for mobile snipers transitioning from CS:GO. The faster charge shines in duels, but the noise betrays your spot. Pair with a flank for maximum terror.
2. Machina
For chokepoint control, the Machina’s piercing charged shots multi-kill clustered foes like Medics hiding behind Heavies. +15% charged damage pushes full bodyshots to 173, one-shotting most classes.
Characteristics
| Characteristic | Value/Details |
|---|---|
| Bodyshot Damage | 50 (uncharged) / 173 (full charge) |
| Headshot Damage | 150 (min charge) / 518 (full charge) |
| Clip Size | 1 |
| Charge Time | 3.0s max |
| Reload/Fire Rate | 1.5s attack interval |
| Special | Pierces enemies/terrain; tracers |
Brief Description:
Devastating in payloads or intel rooms, but tracers and no hip-fire make it stationary. Rewards patient setup over run-and-gun.
Elite Secondaries: Utility and Firepower
When picking your secondary weapon for the Sniper class in TF2, choose one of the two options described below:
1. Jarate
The ultimate team booster—hurl it to mini-crit enemies (35% damage amp) for 10 seconds, extinguishing fires and outing Spies. Synergizes perfectly with Bushwacka for crit melees.
Characteristics
| Characteristic | Value/Details |
|---|---|
| Damage | Mini-crits on coated foes |
| Duration | 10s (5s on healed targets) |
| Cooldown | 20s (16s on extinguish) |
| Splash Radius | 200 Hammer units |
| Special | Reveals Spies; extinguishes afterburn |
Brief Description:
Not a DPS tool, but amps your team’s output exponentially. Essential for objective modes.
2. SMG
Close-range savior with 85–120 DPS to shred Scouts or finish low-health picks. Perfect accuracy resets keep it reliable mid-fight.
Characteristics
| Characteristic | Value/Details |
|---|---|
| Damage | 8–12 per bullet (85–120 DPS) |
| Clip Size | 25 |
| Fire Rate | 10 shots/sec (600 RPM) |
| Reload | 1.1s |
| Special | Perfect first shot; 1.25s accuracy reset |
Brief Description:
Bridges your rifle’s weakness. Use for Spy checks or retreating. Outclasses melee in speed.
Ultimate Melee: Bushwacka
The crit machete turns Jarate-marked foes into piñatas, converting mini-crits to full crits (195 damage). Risky with +20% ranged vulnerability, but lethal up close.
Characteristics
| Characteristic | Value/Details |
|---|---|
| Damage | 65 base / 195 crit |
| Attack Rate | 0.8s interval |
| Special | Crits on mini-crit targets; no random crits; +20% ranged damage taken |
Brief Description:
Jarate-Bushwacka combo one-shots anything. Swap for desperate CQC dominance.
Summary
Equip these TF2 Sniper weapons for a versatile kit that picks at range, supports allies, and survives ambushes. Practice quickscopes on DM maps, and you’ll top scoreboards.
FAQs
1. What is the best all-around Sniper primary in TF2?
For most players and most modes, the AWPer Hand (or stock Sniper Rifle) provides the best balance of charge speed, consistency, and mobility. It excels in pubs and competitive formats alike.
2. Is the Machina worth using despite its downsides?
Yes, if you’re holding long sightlines. The Machina’s piercing shots and higher charged damage make it exceptional on payload defense, upward, or tight corridors. It’s weaker on open, mobile maps.
3. What secondary should I use if I’m struggling with Spy pressure?
The SMG is your best friend. Its high DPS and fast accuracy reset help you quickly deal with Spies and enemies who rush you in close quarters.
4. Is Jarate still good in the 2025 meta?
Absolutely. Jarate remains one of Sniper’s strongest utility tools, offering teamwide damage boosts, Spy reveals, and fire extinguishes. It’s a staple in Highlander and casual modes.
5. What melee should I run if I don’t want the Bushwacka’s vulnerability?
The Kukri (stock melee) is the safest pick. No downsides, consistent damage, and useful in emergencies. Use Bushwacka only if you’re actively pairing it with Jarate.
