I am experimenting with soviet snipers since ages and I would like a few tips from players and or strategist on how to use them the most effective.
Thus far I have used them in combination with guard motor. I open with a sniper then one or two cons and go into double guards and then double heavy mortor and eventually into either su85 or double t34/85 lol.
Anyways, I have concluded that early soviet sniper play vs Ostheer players that don´t get a sniper of themselves to be very effective and can win you the game within a minute or 10. I have found putting them in buildings will let them win vs grenadiers and pioneers, even if these charge the building and hug its corners. But I have not yet faced a very potent player. So my question is: "how best to use the soviet sniper vs a good player?".
Any tips? Any things I need to know?
Thanks in advance.
oh edit, my rank is 463 at the moment 
Hey cloth,
okey so here is the way i use soviet T1 (not saying it's the best way, but after quite a bit of experimenting this works the best for me)
I would advice
not to build it straight away and open with a sniper. The reason being is as allied player, you really have to take advantage of your early game and get as much map control as possible.
The build i suggest is: double con, 2nd engineer squads, let you second engi build T1, get a sniper and if you have room get a M3 after. this way you still get quite a bit of map control with the conscripts and another advantage is that you keep your opponent guessing and not give away the info you're going T1 right away.
After comes the most diffecult part when going for a T1 build, dealing with light armor. Guards motor is a excellent choice for this, 1 guard squad should be able to hold of light armor quite well, you can always get AT nade upgrade if you feel like you need it. Remember this is only a temporary solution to keep you in the game for a bit. you can try going with Tank hunters or Urban defense tactics aswell, however these docterines are diffecult to play.
after this you have 2 options:
If you're low on fuel, get T2 and make a AT gun
If you have enough fuel, get T3 and either make a T70 or SU-76 (whichever you feel comfertable with)
When you survived this part its up to you how to continue and what units to get. I have to say that T1 requires good micro and game reading to make it work, you don't get 2nd chances if you make a mistake here. Keep the sniper alive and make optimal usesage of it.
Goodluck!