WARDOGS · Recon Handbook

Sniper builds, ballistics & zeroing, kit, ammo · data: EVA data-mine (9 Oct) + Dexerto wiki, Season 1

Season 1 numbers. Season 2 lands Thu 15 Oct 2026: progression wipe, cash turns into Gold Bars, and Bulkhead is changing weapon damage, recoil and suppression. Re-check after the patch.

TL;DR

Best: AMR 50 (Recon 35), one headshot through any helmet. Mid-game: SV98 (Recon 19), or MK22 (Recon 25) for 2 body shots on L3.
Headshots: Mosin, SV98 and MK22 one-shot up to L2 helmets with FMJ, up to L3 with AP (Wardog 82). L4 helmets take 2.
Zero 100 m, aim center to 200 m. SV98 holdover: 43 cm at 300 m, 85 cm (2.1 mil) at 400 m, 6.4 m (6.4 mil) at 1,000 m.
Lead about 6 mil on a runner at any range: 0.6 s flight at 500 m, 1.2 s at 1,000 m. Players de-render past 1,000 m.
Ghillie head + body = no death cam, invisible to IR range finders. Move after every kill. Never buy the Scout Rifle.

Builds

AMR 50

End-game meta

Recon 35 · $200,000 · $8,800 per buy · 12.5 kg · .50 BMG

211.88Chest dmg

42RPM

900m/s

2,000 mFull dmg

0.68 sADS

NoneL1L2L3L4Body11122Head11111

Optic

6–10x MRAD/MOAor

Frontier 2.5–10x

Muzzle

GOL Multi-Cal Supp.or

AMR .50 Brake (−20% vert.)

Bipod

Pro Tilt

Mag

5 rnd (default)

Why: one headshot kills through every helmet out to 2,000 m. One body shot kills through L2 armor, two on L3–L4. It weighs 12.5 kg, so you move slowly.

MK22

Armor counter

Recon 25 · $150,000 · $6,400 per buy · 6.3 kg · .308 Win

118.82Chest dmg

46RPM

894m/s

1,000 mFull dmg

0.68 sADS

NoneL1L2L3L4Body12223Head11122

Optic

3–6x LPVOor

Frontier 2.5–10x

Muzzle

Flow-Through .308 Supp.or

Three Port (−22%)

Bipod

Pro Tilt

Mag

10 rnd (default)

Why: 2 body shots through L3 armor (the SV98 needs 3). One headshot through L2 helmets, through L3 with AP.

SV98

Best mid-game

Recon 19 · $100,000 · $5,200 per buy · 5.8 kg · 7.62×54R

108.92Chest dmg

46RPM

830m/s

1,000 mFull dmg

0.60 sADS

NoneL1L2L3L4Body12233Head11123

Optic

3–6x LPVOor

6x Marksman + Reflex

Muzzle

Hexagon 762 Supp.or

Deadeye Flash Hider

Bipod

SV98 Bipod (Recon 21)or

Pro Tilt· skip if you play mobile

Mag

10 rnd (default)

Why: one headshot through L2 helmets with FMJ, through L3 with AP (Wardog 82). The wiki lists its zero as 100 m only, so learn the holdover.

Mosin Nagant

Best early

Recon 10 · $50,000 · $4,500 per buy · 4.1 kg · 7.62×54R

108.92Chest dmg

46RPM

865m/s

500 mFull dmg

0.65 sADS

NoneL1L2L3L4Body12233Head11123

Optic

3–6x LPVO (Recon 11)or

6x Precision

Muzzle

Hexagon 762 Supp.or

Deadeye (Recon 9)

Bipod

None: wasted cash this early

Why: same damage as the SV98, but full damage only to 500 m and its zero starts at 200 m. A miss costs a slow bolt cycle.

SVD

Semi-auto · Recon 12

Recon 12 · $50,000 · $4,800 per buy · 5.3 kg · 7.62×54R

78.67Chest dmg

480RPM

800m/s

800 mFull dmg

0.53 sADS

NoneL1L2L3L4Body22334Head12223

Optic

6x Precisionor

3–6x LPVO

Muzzle

Deadeye Flash Hideror

SVD Brake (−18%)

Bipod

SVD Bipod (optional, Recon 14)

Why: fast follow-ups: 2 body shots on L1, 3 on L2–L3. Take it over the Mosin if you miss more than 1 in 10.

BMR-308

Semi .308 DMR

Recon 30 · $125,000 · $6,000 per buy · 3.9 kg · .308 Win

85.82Chest dmg

450RPM

880m/s

500 mFull dmg

0.52 sADS

NoneL1L2L3L4Body22234Head11223

Optic

Spectr 4xor

4x Combat Prism + Reflex

Muzzle

Three Port (−22%)or

BMR-308 Supp. (Recon 33)

Grip

RVG Vertical

Why: 2 body shots through L2 armor at 450 RPM, one headshot through L1. It takes a foregrip, unlike the bolt rifles. No LPVO or 6x scopes.

SKS

Starter / avoid

Recon 5 · $25,000 · $2,400 per buy · 3.85 kg · 7.62×39

60.08Chest dmg

420RPM

735m/s

400 mFull dmg

0.53 sADS

NoneL1L2L3L4Body23345Head12234

SKS

DTK-1 Brake (−20% vert, −10% horiz)+ default 6x

Scout

Do not buy the Scout Rifle: 2 headshots even on no helmet

Why: the SKS is fine for Recon 5–9. 2 body shots on no armor, 3 on L1–L2.

Ballistics & zeroing

Weapon	Zero	200 m	300 m	400 m	500 m	600 m	800 m	1,000 m
AMR 50	100 m	12 cm0.6 mil	36 cm1.2 mil	73 cm1.8 mil	121 cm2.4 mil	182 cm3.0 mil	339 cm4.2 mil	545 cm5.5 mil
MK22	100 m	12 cm0.6 mil	37 cm1.2 mil	74 cm1.8 mil	123 cm2.5 mil	184 cm3.1 mil	344 cm4.3 mil	552 cm5.5 mil
SV98	100 m	14 cm0.7 mil	43 cm1.4 mil	85 cm2.1 mil	142 cm2.8 mil	214 cm3.6 mil	399 cm5.0 mil	641 cm6.4 mil
Mosin Nagant	200 m	center	20 cm0.7 mil	52 cm1.3 mil	98 cm2.0 mil	157 cm*2.6 mil	315 cm*3.9 mil	524 cm*5.2 mil
SVD	100 m	15 cm0.8 mil	46 cm1.5 mil	92 cm2.3 mil	153 cm3.1 mil	230 cm3.8 mil	429 cm5.4 mil	690 cm*6.9 mil
BMR-308	100 m	13 cm0.6 mil	38 cm1.3 mil	76 cm1.9 mil	127 cm2.5 mil	190 cm*3.2 mil	355 cm*4.4 mil	570 cm*5.7 mil

Holdover = how far above the target to aim, in cm and in mil (1 mil = 1 cm per 10 m, the hash marks on MRAD scopes). Lead = how far ahead to aim at a target running 5 m/s (an assumed sprint speed, WARDOGS does not publish one). Calculated from muzzle velocity (g = 9.81, no drag inside the full-damage range). Check it in the firing range: patches change velocities.

Players de-render past 1,000 m. Beyond that, only the AMR on static targets makes sense. The Mosin row is sighted in at 200 m, its lowest zero.

Zeroing rules

Sight in at 100 m and aim center chest out to 200 m. The round lands a hand-width low at 200 m, which is still chest.
Between steps (for example 160 m): keep the lower zero and aim at the top of the head. A low miss still hits neck or chest. Dialing up to 200 m and aiming low sends the round over the head.
Long shots: PgUp/PgDn dial the zero in 100 m steps, then aim dead center. If you don't want to dial, use the holdover table.
Past the full-damage range the round loses speed as well as damage, so it drops more than the table says (marked *).

Holdover at 100 m zero

0–200 m: center
400 m: 1st–2nd hash below center
1,000 m: where the line becomes the thick bottom bar

Zero per rifle + optic

Weapon	Weapon zero	Optic	Optic zero	You can dial
AMR 50	100–300 m	6–10x MRAD	100–1000 m	100–300 m
MK22	100–300 m	3–6x LPVO	100–600 m	100–300 m
SV98	100 m only	3–6x LPVO	100–600 m	100 m
Mosin Nagant	200–800 m	3–6x LPVO	100–600 m	200–600 m
SVD	100–1100 m	6x Precision	100–600 m	100–600 m
BMR-308	100–300 m	Spectr 4x	100–400 m	100–300 m

You can only dial where the rifle's range and the optic's range overlap. The SV98 does not dial at all: hold over.

Leading moving targets

Weapon	100 m	200 m	300 m	500 m	800 m	1,000 m
AMR 50	0.11 s0.6 m lead	0.22 s1.1 m lead	0.33 s1.7 m lead	0.56 s2.8 m lead	0.89 s4.4 m lead	1.11 s5.6 m lead
MK22	0.11 s0.6 m lead	0.22 s1.1 m lead	0.34 s1.7 m lead	0.56 s2.8 m lead	0.89 s4.5 m lead	1.12 s5.6 m lead
SV98	0.12 s0.6 m lead	0.24 s1.2 m lead	0.36 s1.8 m lead	0.60 s3.0 m lead	0.96 s4.8 m lead	1.20 s6.0 m lead
Mosin Nagant	0.12 s0.6 m lead	0.23 s1.2 m lead	0.35 s1.7 m lead	0.58 s2.9 m lead	0.92 s4.6 m lead	1.16 s5.8 m lead
SVD	0.12 s0.6 m lead	0.25 s1.2 m lead	0.38 s1.9 m lead	0.62 s3.1 m lead	1.00 s5.0 m lead	1.25 s6.2 m lead
BMR-308	0.11 s0.6 m lead	0.23 s1.1 m lead	0.34 s1.7 m lead	0.57 s2.8 m lead	0.91 s4.5 m lead	1.14 s5.7 m lead

Leading moving targets

Lead in mil stays the same at every range inside the full-damage range: target speed ÷ bullet speed × 1000. A 5 m/s runner needs about 6 mil with an 830–900 m/s rifle and about 13 mil with a 380–400 m/s SMG.
Players stop about every 10 s to scope in or check the map. Shoot then, and you don't need to lead at all.
Running straight at you or away from you: no lead, aim for the drop only.

Your notes vs. the maths: the notes say lead 1 s at 500 m and 2 s at 1,000 m. At 830 m/s the bullet takes 0.6 s and 1.2 s. Start with the calculated lead and adjust in the firing range.

Kit

L4 Helmet · $3,000Wardog 100. Survives an AP headshot from a Mosin, SV98 or MK22. L3 survives FMJ ones.

L3 Armor · $2,00010.5 kg. Best protection before the 18 kg L4.

Operator Backpack · $80015 slots. The Scout Backpack (8 slots, $350) is lighter.

Ghillie Headwear · $2,500Recon 24. Only works with the suit.

Ghillie Body Suit · $3,000Recon 24. Victims get no death cam, and IR range finders can't see you.

Range Finder · $400Recon 8. Exact distance, so you know which zero or holdover to use.

IR Range FinderPulled from the vendor on 2 Oct (too strong). Returns in Season 2 and needs batteries.

Binoculars · $75Spotting pays: 5–100 XP per target, 25–500 XP when it gets destroyed.

Claymore · $900Recon 22. Motion-triggered. Covers the stairs or path to your nest.

Small Hammer + supplies$100. Recon tent (hides you from IR scopes), sandbags, hedgehogs.

GGX 17 · $200Close-range backup.

2× Smoke · $100Break line of sight when you get counter-sniped.

IFAK · $800Full heal after you take a hit.

ParachuteBasic $100 or Sport $1,000 (9 kg). Bail off roofs when pushed.

This kit weighs about 25 kg, which puts you in Medium.

Armor & helmets

Tier	Armor	Helmet	Blocks (FMJ)
L1	$400 · 3 kg	$200	30%
L2	$1,000 · 4.5 kg	$500 · 1.6 kg	40%
L3	$2,000 · 10.5 kg	$1,500 · 3 kg	55%
L4	$4,000 · 18 kg	$3,000 · 4.5 kg	65%

Skip the L2 helmet: it only saves you a shot against 2 of 28 guns (BMR-308, M1911). Go L1 straight to L3. Armor unlocks: L2 Wardog 30, L3 Wardog 60, L4 Wardog 100.

Weight classes

Kit weight	Class	Move speed	Notes
under 10 kg	—	full
10–17 kg	Light	−5%
17–27 kg	Medium	−13%	slower ADS, less stamina regen
27–40 kg	Heavy	−20%	no tactical sprint
40 kg +	Super Heavy	−20%	no sprint, slowed

Source: WarDogs.News weight-class table. Other guides give −12% / −19%. An Adrenaline Pen drops you one class for a short time.

Ammo

Caliber	Ammo	No armour	L1	L2	L3	L4	Unlock
7.62×54R (Mosin, SV98)	FMJ	108.92 (1 shots)	76.24 (2)	65.35 (2)	49.02 (3)	38.13 (3)	default
	HP	217.82 (1 shots)	32.36 (4)	23.54 (5)	10.31 (10)	1.48 (68)	Wardog 28
	AP	87.14 (2 shots)	74.07 (2)	69.71 (2)	63.18 (2)	58.83 (2)	Wardog 82
.308 (MK22)	FMJ	118.82 (1 shots)	83.17 (2)	71.3 (2)	53.48 (2)	41.6 (3)	default
	HP	237.62 (1 shots)	35.3 (3)	25.68 (4)	11.24 (9)	1.62 (62)	Wardog 65
	AP	95.05 (2 shots)	80.8 (2)	76.05 (2)	68.92 (2)	64.17 (2)	Wardog 140
7.62×54R (SVD)	FMJ	78.67 (2 shots)	55.07 (2)	47.21 (3)	35.41 (3)	27.54 (4)	default
	HP	157.32 (1 shots)	23.38 (5)	17 (6)	7.45 (14)	1.08 (93)	Wardog 28
	AP	62.93 (2 shots)	53.5 (2)	50.35 (2)	45.64 (3)	42.49 (3)	Wardog 82

Chest damage per hit, with shots to kill in brackets. EVA data-mine.

Headshots to kill

Rifle	Ammo	None	L1	L2	L3	L4
AMR 50	FMJ	1	1	1	1	1
MK22	FMJ	1	1	1	2	2
MK22	AP	1	1	1	1	2
Mosin / SV98	FMJ	1	1	1	2	3
Mosin / SV98	AP	1	1	1	1	2
SVD	FMJ	1	2	2	2	3
BMR-308	FMJ	1	1	2	2	3

Which ammo

FMJ is the default. Armor blocks 30 / 40 / 55 / 65% of it at L1 / L2 / L3 / L4.
HP does 2× to flesh, but armor blocks 85–99% of it. Only use it on players with no armor, or aim for arms and legs.
AP does 20% less to flesh, but armor only blocks 10–20%. It wins against L3–L4 armor and helmets.
Headshots do about 2.1×. L3 and L4 helmets also cover the neck. L4 armor also covers the upper arms and pelvis.
HP and AP rounds unlock on the Wardog (career) track. The vendor sells the tracer versions.

Arms and legs (no armor there)

Caliber	FMJ	HP	AP
7.62×54R (Mosin, SV98)	39.6	79.2	31.7
.308 (MK22)	43.2	86.4	34.6
7.62×54R (SVD)	33	66	26.4

HP to the legs: a Mosin or SV98 kills in 2.

Field rules

Positioning

No towers or peaks. The skyline silhouettes you.
Mid-ground near your team's push, with solid cover behind you, so teammates can revive you.
Move after every kill, and after any miss the target noticed.
Build a recon tent to hide from IR scopes. Block stairs and ladders with sandbags or hedgehogs.

Engagement

Patience. Players stop about every 10 s to scope or check the map. Shoot then.
Range it first with the range finder, then dial or hold over.
Lead about 6 mil on a runner, at any range.

Death camera

Body-shot kill	camera zooms onto you
Headshot kill	camera turns toward your general direction
Ghillie suit worn	no death cam

Recon XP

Action	XP	Cash
Sniper, DMR or bow kill	250	$2,750
Headshot kill (recon weapon)	275	$3,000
Spot a target	5–100	$50–1,000
Spotted target destroyed	25–500	$200–10,000

EVA. Spotting pay scales from an AT mine up to a Havoc, structures included.

Pre-match checklist

Zero set to 100 m (Mosin: 200 m)
Ghillie head + body on
Range finder
2 smokes · heals · parachute
Sidearm loaded

Progression ladder

Level	Unlock	Cost	Why
1–4	Binoculars + pistol	$75	spot for XP and cash. Skip the Scout Rifle.
5	SKS	$25,000	first marksman rifle
6	DTK-1 Brake	$7,500	SKS recoil
8	Range Finder	$15,000	exact distance
10	Mosin Nagant	$50,000	1-shot heads to L2
11	3–6x LPVO	$15,000	the optic for most rifles
12	SVD	$50,000	if you miss a lot
15	Hexagon 762 Supp.	$15,000	stealth
19	SV98	$100,000	best mid-game
24	Ghillie head + body	$140,000	no death cam
25	MK22	$150,000	armor counter
30	BMR-308	$125,000	semi .308
35	AMR 50	$200,000	end-game
46	Pro Tilt Bipod	$50,000	best bipod

Unlocked by other roles: 7.62×54R AP ammo: Wardog 82 · L4 helmet: Wardog 100 · Orpheus Max Brake (SVD, Mosin, SV98): Support 45