Poll: do headshots in FPSs matter?

[lunavixen]

headshots generally do more damage and in a lot of cases are an insta-kill, though if your rifle is powerful enough, body shots can do the trick in most cases as the body is the largest target mass and easiest to hit. Headshots require finesse and an ability to predict movement.

To me, headshots are awesome, but they aren't too much a make or break thing for me.

 

[Calibanbutcher]

Let me modify my initial statement:
It is a great asset for someone new to sniping, who has yet to learn the ropes since it allows him to practice whilst also supporting the team, which would otherwise suffer from a team-member being an unskilled sniper, which this way gets to practice his/her aiming skills, whilst being able to support his team with bodyshots should things get too heated up for him/her to adequately take aim on the opponents heads, ensuring that the shots he/she lands still help his team along.
Better?

In summary: It compensates for lack of skill, which is half the point of this thread.

Giving yourself a benefit isn't going to improve your aim, so while it may be more useful to people that are effectively useless anyway (and even then hardly at all), it prevents them from being actually useful in future.

Besides, this is about headshots and whether or not they're good, why are people bringing a non-headshot item into the topic, and worse, defending it.

You know what?
I don't even care.
You cleary have a different viewpoint on the matter and trying to convince you to see things differently seems like too much effort. And this item was brought up, because in a discussion about the benefits of headshots, one must also discuss if maybe some other benefits outweigh headshots in some games.
Again, I could not care less.

 

[Loonyyy]

In a game like Halo where you get a maximum 24 shots with a Sniper Rifle, instakill headshots count. The difference between a headshot and a bodyshot is the difference between 1/24 of your ammo and 1/12. Even with the midrange weapon that usually dominates Halo (Pistol, BR, DMR), it usually takes 3 body shots to 1 headshot (provided you've popped their shields). So yeah, in that case, it matters. This is also the case when sniping in Bad Company 2, especially if you're using a bolt-action rifle. You've essentially got one opportunity to get the kill, because unless you're playing against an idiot, or have caught the person out in the open, by the time you're ready to fire another time they've taken cover.
Since I mostly play those 2, it's ingrained in me. In games like Call of Duty, I'm less critical about getting a headshot, but that's not to say I don't try. Bodyshot kills feel a little cheaper because I ultimately didn't hit what I was aiming for. I don't care about getting more kills, I care about being proficient with my weapon.

That's me personally, I don't give a twopenny fuck about other people bodyshotting. It's perfectly legitimate, if at times ineffectual.

And Bad Company and Battlefield 3 add the incentive of marksman points for headshots, 1pt/m. If you only get bodyshot kills, you won't be able to keep up, scorewise, as a long range sniper. I always feel mad when I get a tag hit at 1000m shots-it means my next shot has to hit the head or I miss out on most of the points.

OT: I think he apologised 'cause he figured it was a cheap kill. Headshots are the way to go, if you can get them-they guarantee the kill. But they're harder to get. Bodyshots are less sure, but easier to get. It all depends on the style and the timing.

 

[EHKOS]

In TF2 the more professional snipers, and the groups and clans, have an unspoken law about headshots. I used to be good enough to compete with them, and "bodyshotting" was an insult. Both as in shooting someone in the body, and calling someone a "bodyshotter". It was like a code of honr. It was pretty cool. Then I didn't play for three months and I could never snipe again. Just kind of a fickle talent thing. But if you're a damn good sniper, or a TM clan or something, you have respect on the battlefield. And also hate, rage-hate because no one can ever get close to you in Harvest.

 

[gnihton]

You know what?
I don't even care.
You cleary have a different viewpoint on the matter and trying to convince you to see things differently seems like too much effort. And this item was brought up, because in a discussion about the benefits of headshots, one must also discuss if maybe some other benefits outweigh headshots in some games.
Again, I could not care less.

It's not a viewpoint, it's a bloody objective fact, a headshot from a sniper in any situation whatsoever will do more than a Sleeper bodyshot, that's not up for debate, it's a simple matter of one number being bigger than the other. 1.5 > 1, you're trying to argue that 1 > 1.5.

Also, loving the butthurt over the double fail smartarse attempt. Could've just admitted you were wrong you know.

 

[TilMorrow]

Technically, Headshots are better as they usually are an instant kill in most games and usually a more satisfying method of executing enemy players. Plus it's cool to see yourself get 150 kills on TF2 in one game solely from Headshots. Though bodyshots are generally the norm by which you defeat other players so realistically it doesn't matter where you shoot as long as you beat the other team/players.

I was playing TF2 this Afternoon and I was killed by the sniper, the kid who killed me in one shot then apologised; I asked why he apologised and he said he bodyshoted me. Pursuing this further I said it was a legitimate tactic because it killed me. He said he wanted a headshot.

You said he apologised? Maybe he felt remorse at the fact he didn't give you a clean death with a bullet through the head and that you had to bleed out on the middle of a wooden bridge/in the centre of an industrial complex/in a gorge/in a mine shaft/etc whilst having your team mates run past fighting for their lives/dropping like flies. War, War never changes.

It depends, Headshot shall always be instant kill. However if body shot was made then it would have to be a heart shot. That guy who sniped you lied to you, he head shotted you, their is not heart shots in TF2.

Actually headshots in TF2 aren't always an instant kill. Many a time, I've had to place two bullets in a Heavy or Soldier's head as the charge wasn't high enough and they kept bobbing in and out of view. Also bodyshots are possible if you have a full charge on the sniper rifle. 500 dmg ftw!

 

[gnihton]

Actually headshots in TF2 aren't always an instant kill. Many a time, I've had to place two bullets in a Heavy or Soldier's head as the charge wasn't high enough and they kept bobbing in and out of view. Also bodyshots are possible if you have a full charge on the sniper rifle. 500 dmg ftw!

A) A fully charged headshot does 450 damage, so is always an insta-kill aside from maybe Dalokahs + Medic heavies.
B) A fully charged headshot does 450 damage. Needless to say, a bodyshot does not do more than that.

 

[Calibanbutcher]

You know what?
I don't even care.
You cleary have a different viewpoint on the matter and trying to convince you to see things differently seems like too much effort. And this item was brought up, because in a discussion about the benefits of headshots, one must also discuss if maybe some other benefits outweigh headshots in some games.
Again, I could not care less.

It's not a viewpoint, it's a bloody objective fact, a headshot from a sniper in any situation whatsoever will do more than a Sleeper bodyshot, that's not up for debate, it's a simple matter of one number being bigger than the other. 1.5 > 1, you're trying to argue that 1 > 1.5.

Also, loving the butthurt over the double fail smartarse attempt. Could've just admitted you were wrong you know.

What I was trying to argue was 1 > 0, because a succesful bodyshot is still better than an unsuccesful headshot.
Cue me telling you that the Boston Dormer is a good weapon for beginners who want to try and practice a bit.



In summary: It compensates for lack of skill, which is half the point of this thread.
This was your summary, whilst I clearly added, that it compensates for a lack of skill, thus enabling players to learn said skill WITHOUT being nothing but a nuisance for their team.
New players can not be relied on to perfectly headshot everything all the time, so this weapon might allow them to practice headshotting, whilst also enabling them to partake in a more heated firefight, durin which their skills will not allow them to accurately headshot an enemy any more.


Which is basically what I said in one of my posts, had you actually bothered to read it.
But then again, I guess my butthurt must have gotten in the way of something or other, oh the horror, pain and somethinge, oh god I shall perish before your mastery of something, words fail me for I quiver in fear, yada yada, yada.


More detailed version:
Woe is me for I persish before my mighty foe, how was I ever so foolish as to stand before an enemy of such magnitude, oh had I but known what destiny had in store for my, I had given it my all to avert fate's merciless gaze for I am but a mere mortal where you are clearly a God who walks amonst men, praised be thy wisdom for thou art's the sun, the heaven and the stars for eternity evermore, whilst I must live in the shadows unflinchingly ruined by thy presence.

 

[TilMorrow]

Actually headshots in TF2 aren't always an instant kill. Many a time, I've had to place two bullets in a Heavy or Soldier's head as the charge wasn't high enough and they kept bobbing in and out of view. Also bodyshots are possible if you have a full charge on the sniper rifle. 500 dmg ftw!

A) A fully charged headshot does 450 damage, so is always an insta-kill aside from maybe Dalokahs + Medic heavies.
B) A fully charged headshot does 450 damage. Needless to say, a bodyshot does not do more than that.

Yes, a Fully-charged headshot will instant kill pretty much anything in TF2 (which is strange as since it does 450 dmg it should insta-kill a Heavy being healed by a Medic but never seems to) however a headshot that isn't does not always cause an instant kill as I specified before. Also I didn't specify how much damage a fully-charged body shot does. Instead I was referencing the crit number that I most enjoy seeing whenever I headshot a piss-stained Jarated enemy. And for your information it is possible for a Fully-charged bodyshot to insta kill certain classes that have low enough health namely all the support classes and one of the defensive and offensive classes.

 

[CannibalCorpses]

Headshots are a skill that should be promoted. Bodyshots are your sign of inaccurate fire but if all you care about is winning then by all means do that.

I don't play to win, i play to perfect my technique. Beating other people is for amateurs, beating yourself is for professionals. Thats why i judge my performance on my leaderboard stats and previous scores.

Saying all that though i don't really like using sniper rifles at all...they are a cheap, fun destroying kill. I'm all about rifles and high accuracy/headshots...you get a fair chance to kill me and that adds to the thrill. No danger, no excitement

 

[gnihton]

however a headshot that isn't does not always cause an instant kill as I specified before.

It does, with the exception of Dalokahs heavies, but they basically don't exist.

Also I didn't specify how much damage a fully-charged body shot does. Instead I was referencing the crit number that I most enjoy seeing whenever I headshot a piss-stained Jarated enemy.

You explicitly said that your bodyshots did 500 damage. Maybe you meant the Machina though, I'm not sure of the damage on that.

And for your information it is possible for a Fully-charged bodyshot to insta kill certain classes that have low enough health namely all the support classes and one of the defensive and offensive classes.

I never said they didn't.

 

[Coffeejack]

It depends on whether the game is made to realistically reflect the human body's structure. I personally prefer games like Borderlands 2, because they introduce bosses that have critical points in all sorts of places to give things more variety. If training to hit the head gets the job done fastest, I guess you should go for that. I'd like to see a game in which people's critical points are in their feet. That would be a nice challenge.

 

[deathninja]

If you have time to line up a headshot, go for it (so sniping).

Taking point and clearing a room/street is all about centre of mass.

Though at the end of the day Sniper Elite 2 showed it best: It's all about ballistic vasectomies.

 

[gnihton]

What I was trying to argue was 1 > 0, because a succesful bodyshot is still better than an unsuccesful headshot.
Cue me telling you that the Boston Dormer is a good weapon for beginners who want to try and practice a bit.



In summary: It compensates for lack of skill, which is half the point of this thread.
This was your summary, whilst I clearly added, that it compensates for a lack of skill, thus enabling players to learn said skill WITHOUT being nothing but a nuisance for their team.
New players can not be relied on to perfectly headshot everything all the time, so this weapon might allow them to practice headshotting, whilst also enabling them to partake in a more heated firefight, durin which their skills will not allow them to accurately headshot an enemy any more.

You don't get better by letting something (and somebody) else do the work for you, this is a point you repeatedly ignore. Come to think of it, even if the player was new they have a number of options to use the Sniper more effectively than the Sleeper:

A) Bodyshot other than when they feel confident they can manage a headshot, such as on a heavy. Even bodyshots with just an occasional headshot will probably do more good than constant sleeper effects. (This would obviously allow them to get better also, increasing the number of hits and headshots they land)
B) Just go exclusively for headshots. That should get them some experience with it fast, and it would probably surpass the sleeper for aid to the team as intermittently headshotting somebody is still probably better than constantly Sleeper debuffing them.

 

[Something Amyss]

In real life you don't aim for the head. You aim for the largest body mass... because chances are that bullet is going to kill them anyway, and you have a better chance of hitting it...

Sadly, this is about juvenile male power fantasy, so the headshot pwns.

 

[RedDeadFred]

Head shots kill in fewer shots therefore allowing you to conserve more ammo. This makes them better.

 

[TeletubbiesGolfGun]

meh it depends on the game/what class you are (if any) and what kind of gun you are using.

i will say, if you're in tf2 as a sniper with the machina charged up waiting for something to come around the corner and bodyshot them in the toe or something, then yeah, you're being a bit of a ****, but nothing absolutely horrible.

still, as a sniper with a sniping weapon, in games you should always strive for the headshots, it's generally what get's the job done better and/or the intimidation factor it involves (if you drop an entire team in tf2 with pure headshots in a row, they are probably going to not charge/use that path again, so your teammates can flank them in other spots or bumrush forward.)

whatever floats your boat for the most part, the only time i ever get remotely peeved is when someone talks trash while bodyshotting with the piss rifle, you just look like a harley doucher and you're going to be trolled on for the rest of the match.

 

[TilMorrow]

however a headshot that isn't [charged] does not always cause an instant kill as I specified before.

It does, with the exception of Dalokahs heavies, but they basically don't exist.

Spoiler: Ahem...

A headshot that is not a charged shot does not insta-kill every class on TF2. Sure it can probably insta-kill the classes that I referenced for the fully-charged bodyshots however if I shot a Heavy or a Soldier in the head with a bullet that wasn't charged they would still be bearing down on me with their bullets/rockets. It would take about two uncharged headshots to kill them.

Also I didn't specify how much damage a fully-charged body shot does. Instead I was referencing the crit number that I most enjoy seeing whenever I headshot a piss-stained Jarated enemy.

You explicitly said that your bodyshots did 500 damage. Maybe you meant the Machina though, I'm not sure of the damage on that.

I was talking about the basic Sniper Rifle and the Jarate crit buffer. Please point out from the line below where I mention the amount of damage a bodyshot does.

...Also bodyshots are possible if you have a full charge on the sniper rifle. 500 dmg ftw!

And for your information it is possible for a Fully-charged bodyshot to insta kill certain classes that have low enough health namely all the support classes and one of the defensive and offensive classes.

I never said they didn't.

That is true, however the tone of your post heavily suggested that you thought otherwise.

Edit: I feel this discussion is derailing a bit from the main topic. I suggest if we are to continue it that it should be done through personal messages.

 

[Batou667]

I'm mostly a Halo player so my perspective is perhaps different to the OP. I'd say headshots are favourable in many circumstances. I'm not hung-up on them to the point where I'd message an opponent apologising for using two rounds to kill him instead of one - this is a game where it's perfectly fine to unceremoniously run over an enemy and drive into the distance while your teammates hump their fallen corpses, after all. A kill is a kill.

 

[hoboman29]

I went with as long as they're dead who cares because in an fps that really is the main goal. About sniping on TF2 I have to say headshots are a sign of skill more than anything else because most classes die to a bodyshot in 1 shot or are nearly dead after it. Funny story I've been called a bodyshot noob for using the sydney sleeper a gun that can't headshot totally off topic but funny if you ask me.

The general consensus on TF2 is if you use the Sydney Sleeper, it's because you can't headshot, and I'm inclined to agree.

Well in the context the kid was trying to sound like I wasn't clearly better than him and long range jarate is very useful as a support weapon especially when 3 heavys are knocking on your spawn door.

It appears to me that the Sydney Sleeper is a support gun, which afflicts the target with a jarate effect, which can be very useful for your teammates and make you a great pillar of support to your team.