Welcome to the ultimate guide to sniping in Sea of Thieves! Whether you’re trying to land consistent Eye of Reach shots or refine your accuracy during tense sea battles, this guide will walk you through everything from fundamentals to advanced techniques. With practice, you’ll be hitting precision shots like a veteran pirate.

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1. Core Mechanics: Quick Scoping & Reload Cancelling

Quick Scoping

• Always aim down sights (ADS) before firing the Eye of Reach.
• For faster reactions, fire just before the scope fully zooms in—this is known as quick scoping.
• Quick scoping avoids the disruptive scope crack, letting you aim more clearly.
• Pro Tip: Place a non-damaging screen marker (e.g., a tiny piece of tape or blue tack) at the center of your monitor to help with no-scope accuracy.

Reload Cancelling

Avoid the slow reload animation using these tricks:

1. Sprint Cancel – Sprint forward immediately after shooting.
   • Ideal when movement is possible.
2. Stow Cancel – Press the stow key (default: X) to put your weapon away and draw it again.
   • Great when sprinting isn’t an option.
3. Swap Cancel – Switch to another weapon and back again.
   • Slightly slower but effective in cramped or high-pressure situations.

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2. Picking Your Shots: Accuracy Over Aggression

Target Stationary Players

• Focus on enemies standing still at:
  • Cannons
  • Ship wheels
  • Harpoons
  • Ladders or rigging
• These provide clean, predictable shots and help build consistency.

Situational Awareness

Consider these before firing:

• Enemy Movement – Leads are needed when they’re running or jumping.
• Ship Rocking – Both your ship and theirs affect your shot trajectory.
• Combat Priorities – Don’t prioritize sniping when your crew needs repairs or bailouts.
• Ammo Count – Don’t get caught in a fight with an empty pouch.

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3. Understanding Lead & Bullet Drop

Lead Timing

• Enemy Moving, You Standing – Aim ahead of their path.
• You Moving, Enemy Standing – Aim slightly behind your crosshair.
• Adjust for ship speed and angle during engagements.

Bullet Drop

• Minimal at short range, noticeable at long range.
• During long-range fights (like hourglass openers), aim slightly higher to compensate.

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4. Shooting Through Ship Structures

• Bullets pass through parts of ships like:
  • Cannons
  • Grates and stairs
  • Railings
  • Upper deck floors
• Use this to your advantage to hit players hiding or camping in predictable spots.

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5. Applying Sniping Techniques by Engagement Phase

Early Game

• Long distance fights—bullets travel far, making lead and elevation essential.
• Spam the enemy cannon with test shots, then adjust based on bullet trails.

Mid Game

• Ships are closer and often side-by-side or circling:
  • Parallel Sailing – Match your aim to their cannon placement.
  • Orbital Combat – Slightly lead left/right depending on the circle direction.

Late Game

• Ships slow down or anchor, creating stable sniping opportunities.
• Time shots when enemies are using cannons or standing still.
• Avoid scope glint by quick-scoping to prevent alerting enemies.
• Boat sway is key—fire at the peak of motion for better accuracy.

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6. Practice Makes Perfect

• Use every encounter as a learning opportunity.
• Watch bullet trails to adjust aim immediately.
• The more you shoot, the better you’ll understand timing, lead, and movement prediction.

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Final Thoughts

Sniping in Sea of Thieves blends precision, timing, and knowledge of ship mechanics. With these techniques and a bit of patience, you’ll transform into a fearsome sharpshooter feared across the seas.

Now load up your Eye of Reach, aim true, and become the legend of the high seas. Happy sniping, pirate! 🏴‍☠️