I've come across two different views on what is objectionable sniping, and I'd like to get some feedback by posting this here. Three situations, as follows:

(1) I launch an attack first. The other player launches later. His ETA is shorter than mine.

(2) I launch an attack first. The other player launches later. His ETA is the same as mine.

(3) Both players launch at the same time, and both ETAs are the same.

I think (3) is just unfortunate, and there's nothing you can do about it. Displays may not refresh on time, or you simply don't see him, etc. It will just have to be resolved in a friendly manner, or fight it out and winner gets the conquer.

I think (2) is clearly sniping. I think everyone will agree with that.

But is (1) sniping? Although the other player launched later, his ETA is shorter. Does launching first, even though you have a longer ETA, give you any moral right to claim the target?

I think any code of play has to be fair, which means that neither player can abuse it. If (1) is defined as sniping, the alleged victim can abuse it. Whether he has planned badly, or is just unlucky, the fact is that his attack is relatively less viable compared with the shorter ETA attack. How can someone who launches with, say, a 6 tick ETA claim that someone who launched later but only has a 3 tick ETA be prejudicing him? It's just a case of bad luck or bad planning.

What do you guys think? Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I think sniping is something we can't stop,I mean crystals are
so shinny that other players can spot it

I will respect an ally's attack over my own as long as it is within 5 ticks distance to the target. Anything beyond that, tough luck. 6 ticks is a stretch as you have anywhere from 3-4 hours depending on when you launch the attack, for anyone closer to get on and jump in front of you. That's way too long to invest 12 hours of flight time on a gamble, and anything beyond that is entering the realm of ludicrous and ridiculous expectation.

Besides, when you're getting more than 5 ticks away from a target, it's hard to even spot incoming ships. I'm only willing to check a radius so wide before launching my own attack.

Finally, if you don't jump in front of your ally's 6+ tick attack, you have to assume that enemies or neutral persons will. An attack is an advertisement that something good is on the other end. It leads people right to plausible targets.

Whenever I find a good target that is outside my realistic range, I message my close allies that DO have a gate nearby. If I can't get it, then I want someone who will help me to benefit from the find.

Sniping cannot be stopped as it cannot be seen as "Against" the rules. Its all a matter of out manoeuvring your opponents to get to an attack faster..

Yet, it is a pain in the ass when it happens to you. I would never snipe and attack off an ally unless their ETA was ridiculously high and there is a good chance someone else would do the same as me anyway.

1. is not sniping
2. is sniping
3. is sniping if done deliberately (sending enough units to not only kill the target but also the other attackers)

- Xeeron

sniping ohh ....

I think the first one and the second are definately sniping. I've been sniped and have sniped a lot of times. However, I don't snipe to sub, main alliance or members of my alliance. But if u snipe some one and he knows, he will try to stop you, either by increase his army or msg you. Or he will retreat to save oil.

2 and 3 are both sniping, but i try to negotiate with a player, rather than sniping.

1, and 2, are both sniping, 3, happens all the time only thing you can do is discuss it or fight together and whoever put in more wins..

But yes 1 and 2 are the definition of sniping, if your units can clearly be seen from where the other guys attacks from even worse, if you are already 1 tick out and they send a fleet that is still 1 tick before yours that is still sniping, probably what makes me angriest of all types of sniping.