Line #71 Main/SniperScopeGlint


1	[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/SniperElite4 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/20210701135200_1.jpg]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:''"There's the sniper..."'']]
3
4	->''"If all else fails, the glint off their scopes will be the surest way to find them, though by then it may be too late."''
5	-->-- '''Allied Intel Report''', ''VideoGame/SniperEliteIII''
6
7	In fiction, a sniper will almost always give their position in one of three ways: the sound of their {{Sniper Rifle}}s firing, [[EveryBulletIsATracer tracer rounds being fired from their weapons]], or, in this case, their scopes giving off a huge and very obvious glint. This is often from sunlight reflecting on their scopes, but this can also apply to any form of light in general, such as from a nearby fire, streetlight, or even a LaserSight that comes as part of the rifle. Thanks to this giveaway, expect the sniper to fall to a ScopeSnipe from a counter-sniper, with the glint disappearing just as the bullet flies into their scope. Some snipers in fact see these glints as a reason for them to opt to use rifles [[NoScope without scopes instead]], due to this trope making a scope AwesomeButImpractical in combat. Alternatively, the sniper can also exploit this trope to their advantage, by having decoys, usually an OutfitDecoy, fitted with a dummy rifle or light that replicates the glint produced by a sniper rifle, in order to bait enemies into attacking or moving to the supposed position, only for the enemies to be LuredIntoATrap and killed. In a SniperDuel, a glint from either combatants' rifles is enough to spell the difference between life and death.
8
9	In video games such as {{First Person Shooter}}s and {{Third Person Shooter}}s, this is often implemented as one of many AntiFrustrationFeatures to counterbalance difficult enemies such as snipers. In StealthBasedGames, snipers having their scopes glint is usually meant to help players either sneak under the watchful eye of an enemy sniper, or for them to stealthily sneak up and kill their adversary, or alternatively counter-snipe them if the player is themselves armed with a SniperRifle. It may also be a form of AcceptableBreaksFromReality, when a sniper's scope still produces a glint even in the absence of any nearby light source. Alternatively, this can overlap with the aforementioned LaserSight, where the former produces enough of a glint combined with the laser itself that gives the sniper's position away.
10
11	Related to CrosshairAware, though in this case it's confined mainly to a sniper rifle's scope, or at the very least an optic.
12	----
13	!Examples:
14
15	[[foldercontrol]]
16
17	!!Video Game Examples:
18
19	[[folder:First-Person Shooter]]
20	* ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}'' has introduced this mechanic ever since ''VideoGame/Battlefield3'', where high-powered scopes, particularly sniper scopes, produce a visible glint from long distances. It has since become a recurring gameplay element in subsequent titles, with ''VideoGame/Battlefield1'' expanding this mechanic to include both [[OutfitDecoy sniper decoys]] and trench periscopes producing glints, the former to attract attention from enemies, the latter as part of gameplay balance. ''VideoGame/BattlefieldV'' brings back the glint mechanics for both scoped rifles wielded by the Recon class as well as the decoys, but the telescopes no longer produce the glint.
21	* ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'': Both Founder and Vox Snipers' positions are given away by either [[EveryBulletIsATracer the tracer rounds they use in their rifles]] or the obvious glint in their rifles when standing still.
22	* ''VideoGame/BlackMesa'': The HECU Snipers combine this trope with the LaserSight found installed in their rifles, which helps to give away their positions to the player. The glint/laser sight extends from their rifles all the way to their intended target, and briefly disappears when the sniper fires a shot.
23	* ''VideoGame/CallOfDuty'':
24	** ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyWorldAtWar'': During the SniperDuel in "Vendetta", the German sniper faced by Pvt. Petrenko has his rifle produce a momentary glint that helps give away his position. The sniper, however, knows this, and actually exploits this trope against the player by having an elaborate OutfitDecoy fitted with a flashlight that replicates the glint found on his scope. [[SchmuckBait Shoot the decoy with the flashlight]], and chances are the German sniper will kill you.
25	** ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfare2'': The locations of the Ghillie Sniper enemies fought in Campaign and Spec Ops mode are given away by the brief white glints of their rifle's scopes, which can be very useful in a lot of the harder Spec Ops missions.
26	** ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfare3'' features a flashback to Price's attempted assassination of Imran Zakhaev, as seen from [[spoiler:Yuri's]] POV. You can see the light glint off of the scope right before Price fires.
27	** ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyModernWarfare2019'': In the campaign mission "Highway of Death", this can be used to locate the enemy sniper. Farah will even tell you to look for it. A feature added in the multiplayer is having SniperRifle-wielding players have their scopes produce a noticeable glint visible to other players present. An interesting detail here is that the glint itself is only visible to other players provided that the enemy sniper is facing towards you from at least 20 degrees to the left or right. ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyBlackOpsColdWar'' brings this detail back, but modifies the mechanics on how it's seen.
28	* ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'': Combine Snipers have a LaserSight that doubles as this, with the glint pointing at the intended target. When the sniper fires a shot from their rifle, the glint briefly disappears before reappearing.
29	* ''VideoGame/Halo5Guardians'' introduces this for scoped weapons, which will give off a very obvious reflective glare when their scopes are being used. This returns in ''VideoGame/HaloInfinite'', this time with the color of the glint depending on the exact weapon being used.
30	* ''VideoGame/MedalOfHonorAirborne'':
31	** The Heer Officer faced during the midway point of "Operation Husky" wields a Karabiner 98 SniperRifle that produces a massive glint that pretty much gives away his position to the player. This is intended to help introduce players on how enemy snipers operate, due to more skilled snipers appearing in later levels that have much better aim and faster firing rifles.
32	** The Waffen Senior Troopers and Fallschirmjager Snipers are notorious for having a SniperRifle capable of killing players in just four hits. To counter this, their locations are marked by a rather large glint in their scopes, not helped that they refuse to relocate from their perches even when spotted and fire [[EveryBulletIsATracer tracer rounds that leave telltale white trails]].
33	* ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'': Sniper Rifles will always show a red/blue (depending on the team) colored glint where they're aiming shown in walls as a dot, making it possible to see if there's one awaiting if you look well. Unlike most examples where it's an external light source providing the glint, here it's the result of the built-in LaserSight used in the rifle's scope.
34	* ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2Classic'': The same rules apply, but now there are also yellow and green glint colors.
35	* ''VideoGame/WolfensteinTheOldBlood'': Marksman Soldiers, armed with the [[SniperRifle Bombenschuss rifle]], will have a white glint whenever they aim their rifles towards the player, helping them to be distinguished from other targets.
36	[[/folder]]
37
38	[[folder:Role-Playing Games]]
39	* ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'': Cerberus's Nemesis snipers give themselves away due to the laser sights they use.
40	[[/folder]]
41
42	[[folder:Stealth-Based Game]]
43	* ''VideoGame/MetalGear'':
44	** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'': This is one of the ways to defeat the End. His rifle will give off a glint that Snake can spot from across the map, letting the latter close in on him.
45	** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots'': After Snake and Meryl learn that Liquid's soldiers are closing in on them, they realize Johnny inadvertently gave away their position from the glint given off from his binoculars.
46	** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVThePhantomPain'': Enemy snipers, including Quiet during her introductory battle, can be spotted by their scope glint when they take aim, which is accompanied by a subtle AudibleGleam.
47	* In the ''VideoGame/SniperElite'' series, enemy snipers' positions are always given away thanks to the white glints on their scopes, giving the player just enough time to react and place a shot into them.
48	** ''VideoGame/SniperEliteV2'': Unlike later games, which used audio cues alongside the glints to give away enemy sniper positions, this game had you rely solely on the glints to find and kill enemy snipers. If and when the glint faces you, expect to be killed in a few hits.
49	** ''VideoGame/SniperEliteIII'' makes this glint and an accompanying brief audio cue the only hints to give away [[EliteMooks camouflaged snipers']] positions, who [[MobileShrubbery wear yellow and green foliage camo]] over their uniforms and pretty much blend into their environment.
50	** ''VideoGame/SniperElite4'' combines the white glint with a sharp audio cue, indicating to the player that an enemy sniper is not only looking at you, but has also spotted you and will potentially give away your position.
51	** ''VideoGame/SniperElite5'' brings back the white glint, now accompanied by a two audio cues, with the first indicating that the enemy sniper has seen the player, with the second indicating he is about to fire on your position and blow your cover. Additionally, in Axis Invasion Mode, the Allied sniper, should they be aiming while using a scoped rifle, will produce a similar white glint as both regular enemy snipers and the Sniper Jager (the invading player, should they also be aiming with a scoped rifle).
52	[[/folder]]
53
54	[[folder:Survival Horror]]
55	* ''VideoGame/DeadRising2'': The Militiamen are a group of snipers who are targetting the survivors of Fortune City for being traitors to America. When they are prepared to shoot, a scope glint alerts the player to where they are and they have to dodge the attack.
56	[[/folder]]
57
58	[[folder:Third-Person Shooter]]
59	* ''VideoGame/TheDivision'' and ''VideoGame/TheDivision2'' both do this, even in low light areas. If the area's dark enough, the reflection looks more like the snipers strapped a flashlight on their rifles somewhere. Outcast snipers in the sequel take it even further, somehow having a scope glint while ''wielding bows''!
60	* ''Franchise/{{Splatoon}}'': When Chargers are ready to fire, the user's ink tank emits a bright glow that can be seen from quite a ways away, while a laser sight reveals to other players where they're currently aiming.
61	[[/folder]]
62
63	!!Non-Video Game Examples:
64
65	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
66	* ''Manga/DesertPunk'': The Shimmer Sniper deliberately invokes this trope as his calling card in the second episode. Desert Punk points out how stupid it is and calls Shimmer Sniper an amateur and poser for deliberately giving his position away.
67	* ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'':
68	** ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureGoldenWind Golden Wind]]'': During Bucciarati's battle against Secco, both them catch a glimpse of a light reflecting off a binoculars belonging to the MysteriousBacker who's watching from Rome's coliseum.
69	** ''[[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureJoJolion JoJolion]]'': A variation. While chatting with Yasuho, Josuke is briefly blinded by a light getting reflected off a pair of cans as Karera uses them to get Josuke to notice her from afar.
70	[[/folder]]
71
72	[[folder:Films — Animated]]
73	* In ''WesternAnimation/BambiII'', the Great Prince spots the glint of Man's rifle right before he starts shooting at him and Bambi, at which point the two get the hell out of dodge as fast as they possibly can.
74	[[/folder]]
75
76	[[folder:Films — Live-Action]]
77	* ''Film/EnemyAtTheGates'': During the Tractor Factory duel, Vasily Zaytsev, being PinnedDown by [[BigBad Major Konig]], decides to exploit this trope against the latter with the help of Tanya, by having her use broken glass to reflect sunlight into the Major's sniper scope, temporarily blinding the German, giving his exact position away, and allowing Vasily to shoot the Major's exposed hand.
78	* ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheLastCrusade'': Indy, Henry, and Sallah are spotted by the German motorcade on a hillside overlooking their route by a glint off of Indy's binoculars[[note]]If you pay attention, however, it's clear that the sun is ''behind'' Indy, meaning there's no way he would have any kind of glint, but it's still funny[[/note]]. The motorcade stops and the tank opens fire on their position, destroying Sallah's car.
79	* ''Film/TheProfessional'': Leon explains to Mathilda that this is why the sniper rifle's scope has a cover, which -- in order to reduce the chances of being spotted by its glint -- is only to be opened at the last possible minute.
80	[[/folder]]
81
82	[[folder:Literature]]
83	* In the ''Literature/{{Quiller}}'' novel "The Tango Briefing", a sniper conducting a war of nerves on another Bureau agent does this deliberately.
84	* ''Literature/SongOfSusannah'': Immediately after arriving in Maine from Mid-World, Roland and Eddie get into a firefight with Enrico Balazar's enforcers. It begins with Roland catching a circular flash of light from the woods and thinking, "in his experience only two things made that unique reflection: eyeglasses, and the long scope of a weapon." Cue sniper fire.
85	[[/folder]]
86
87	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
88	* ''Series/{{Leverage}}'': In "[[Recap/LeverageS03E13TheMorningAfterJob The Morning After Job]]", Nate gets an early warning about a sniper sent to kill his crew's current mark when he spots a suspicious glint in a window across the street.
89	%% Needs Context * ''Series/TheProfessionals'': So-called {{Professional Killer}}s make this mistake in "Blood Sports" and "Long Shot". You would think they'd know better.
90	[[/folder]]
91
92	[[folder:Western Animation]]
93	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'': In "The Ballad of Hopediah Plantar", when only Mama Hasselback is the only opponent left, she notices the glint of a metal slingshot in the distance, causing her to realise what's actually been knocking out the gang members.
94	[[/folder]]
95
96	[[folder:Real Life]]
97	* Defied, and exploited: This trope is precisely why UsefulNotes/SimoHayha never used a scoped rifle (that, and the issue of sniper scopes becoming frosted over due to the harsh winter conditions of Finland), as the scopes reflected light that was itself reflected from the snow that covered the Finnish battlefields.[[note]] Finnish terrain was heavily forested, which limited the distance between combatants during engagements. Also, any properly trained marksman can easily hit a man-sized target from a few hundred meters away with only the rifle’s iron sights. Adding a scope in such (relatively) close quarters would have been unnecessary.[[/note]] In fact, several of the Soviet snipers that tried and ultimately failed to kill him were themselves given away thanks to the glints of their rifles, which Simo used to his advantage.
98	* During UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar, this was how Carlos Hathcock spotted the sniper who was trying to take him out. Aiming for the reflected light ended up resulting in one of the very few real-life examples of the Scope Snipe. By Hathcock's own admission, the main reason that he was able to pull this off was that the sniper had him right in his sights, and he'd spotted the tell-tale glint by sheer chance and decided to take a shot at it; if the other sniper had gotten on the trigger first, Hathcock would have been done for.
99	* There are few devices that are fitted to scopes that are intended to reduce this. One is simply making the tube the scope is housed in extend over the forward lens so it will glint at less ranges. Another is a honeycomb like structure that fits over the lens that breaks up the glint but is almost imperceptible to the shooter.
100	[[/folder]]

Context Main / SniperScopeGlint