In the latest experimental version of Conflict you must rank up to Sergeant to be able to use a Sniper Rifle with Optic, and I think this is a mistake because it takes a lot of FUN out of the game & forces players to use iron-sights against distant targets which is not a pleasant experience, especially for players new to the Arma Reforger experience.

By all means use the rank system to restrict players from playing "barbie" at the arsenals, wasting time & using up supply points, but I think every player (if supplies are available) should have the chance to grab a marksman rifle with a scope.

For newer players they already have the challenge of not knowing where they are or where to go, the commentator speaking in a foreign language (if you play as the Soviets), friendly fire, not knowing who or where the enemy are and what they should be doing. Add in that they can't use a sniper / marksman rifle and I'm sure this will have a negative effect on player retention.

Scarcity in first person or third person shooters is seldom a good idea. Casual players come to Reforger, learn the tricky mechanics, and will stay, if it's fun. I fear that not allowing them an optical scope of any kind as a starting loadout takes away some of this fun.

Hell Let Loose suffers from this - only two snipers per squad. Battlefield 5 famously touted "scarcity" as a selling point of the game , as if playing a shooter where you went into battle without a full load of ammo & only one bandage was a good idea, which it wasn't.

Please keep the rank limits for the more powerful weapons, big bags, support structures, end-game vehicles and clothing, but also please let us have snipers and optics as Privates.

Thanks, Rob.