Skeleton Sniper

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Skeleton SniperHardmode exclusive
Skeleton Sniper.gifOld-gen console version and Nintendo 3DS version
Classic mode icon.png Classic
Expert mode icon.png Expert
Master mode icon.png Master
Statistics
Type
Environment
AI TypeFighter AI
Damage60/120/180 (contact)
200400600 (Sniper Bullet)
Max Life400/800/1200
Defense28
KB Resist60%/64%/68%
BannerSkeleton Sniper BannerSkeleton Sniper Banner(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
Immune toPoisoned
Drops
Coins10 SC25 SC
Projectile created
Projectile created
Projectile created
  • Sniper Bullet
    Sniper Bullet

The Skeleton Sniper is a rare Hardmode, post-Plantera enemy that spawns in the Dungeon after Plantera is defeated. Skeleton Snipers attack from long-range, slowly approaching a targeted player and, as soon as it has a clear line-of-sight to the player, pause briefly before firing a single shot. This shot can be fired from offscreen, travels at an extremely high velocity, and deals enough damage to kill a player with 500 maximum health in three hits (two in Expert mode, one in Master mode).

It is one of the few entities that can be detected by the Lifeform Analyzer(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) or its upgrades.

The Skeleton Sniper spawns most often in areas of the Dungeon backed by Slab Walls, along with Rusty Armored Bones and Ragged Casters. Removing these naturally occurring back walls will prevent these enemies from spawning, but they can be respawned by placing Cursed Dungeon Slab Walls. These areas can further be identified by the presence of Ragged Brotherhood Sigils and Rusted Company Standards, but these banners are purely indicative and do not influence spawning.

Tips

  • The Sniper must pause again after being hit, so using rapid-firing long-range weapons at it will prevent it from attacking.
  • Weapons with good knockback are not advisable for this enemy, because knocking it back far enough will make it pause instantly when on solid ground and shoot the player with ease.

Trivia

  • The Skeleton Sniper's overall aesthetic bears striking resemblance to an undead Wehrmacht sniper from the WWI- or WWII-era. This follows the common "German Zombies" archetype in popular culture works of fiction.
    • The Skeleton Sniper's weapon of choice follows this aesthetic:
      • The weapon resemblance a traditional bolt-action rifle with wood furnishing, such as the Karabiner 98k which was the standard-issue service rifle in Germany during WWII.
      • The weapon may also be modeled after the FG 42, which was used by German paratroopers during WWII. The FG 42 was meant to be a replacement for a light machine gun, not a sniper rifle. However, a few were equipped with ZF4 scopes and used in a limited sniper role.
    • The Skeleton Sniper also appears to wear a Stahlhelm, a helmet commonly used by the German military during both World Wars.
    • The Skeleton Sniper will only occasionally drop a Rifle Scope, and it is not a guaranteed drop. This reflects the period during WWII where only a very small amount of semi-automatic and bolt-action rifles were equipped with scopes. The overwhelming majority of small arms in WWII were only fitted with iron sights, and very few actual snipers had the luxury of a scoped rifle. There were more marksmen and snipers than there were scopes.
  • Oddly enough, the Sniper Rifle dropped is a completely different type of sniper rifle, itself resembling a more modern L96A1.
  • The BestiaryBestiary entry for the Skeleton Sniper: "These eagle-eyed sharpshooters let nothing escape their crosshairs. Part of an elite military unit in their past lives."

History