Recon is a very popular class because the play style of being able to out range your target by a factor of about 4 is a huge advantage for the skilled marksman. The recon class has two functions: sniper and infiltrator. Both have a very similar play style, the sniper sits far away picking off opponents with head shots earning infiltrator and combat efficiency pins while the infiltrator uses active camouflage to sneak past enemies, capture control points, destroy commander resources (emp strike, orbital strike, sat track and uav). The default weapon is the Morretti SR4 Sniper Rifle. Any sniper rifle will kill the enemy with 1 shot in the head, so some very good snipers actually prefer this base weapon to the upgraded Zeller-H Sniper Rifle simply because of the larger clip size (Morretti has 6 and the Zeller 3). The author's opinion is that the Zeller-H has less drift allowing the player to equip something instead of the Gruber Stabilizer such as Demo Packs and APMs instead of just one with the stabilizer. This is a personal preference and each style can be adapted to.

The Sniper

The sniper is a classic style in any first person shooter, sit and wait for an enemy to enter your line of sight and annihilate them without them ever knowing the source of the fire. BF2142 is no different except they are more equipped to kill people at close range as well. While the classic style works well, sometimes one does get engaged in close combat and the sniper rifle is about the least efficient weapon at this range. However, it can be noted in alleys it can be quite effective regardless of range as long as the enemy isn't able to move much only forward and backward. Back to close range combat, you are given two options when jumped at close range, either use the sniper rifle or change weapons (to a pistol, APM, demo pack – active camo is not effective for *disappearing*). If friendly fire is OFF and you cannot hurt yourself demo packs are the most efficient close point blank weapon hands down. You simply drop one, change the mode of fire and detonate (this is discussed in the ranking quickly guide). This can effectively kill up to 3 surrounding enemies with one blast, while you get sent into the air slightly making yourself even harder to target for anyone still around. However, this is a terrible option if you have any teammates around or value your own life. A better solution is using APM mines and *bunny hopping* (jumping, kneeling, going prone to avoid the most bullets from an enemy). Try and circle around your mine until they detonate themselves on it, this can also take 1-3 players out per mine. APM mines also do not disappear after death. You can only have 2 APMs active at any time, and 5 demo packs. The last resort is the pistol, while worthless at any range in a combat situation it can be decent in close range situations if you aim for chest and head shots and they are not moving. Simply take a knee and click as fast as possible.

The Infiltrator

The infiltrator can only really be used once the Lambert Carbine has been unlocked. Since the other weapons available are only sniper rifles anyone trying to slip by defenses will presumably be in close proximity to the enemy and require an assault rifle. The carbine is stronger than the Voss but weaker than the Baur and reverse for accuracy. The recoil is quite high on this weapon so taking a knee or going prone is highly recommended when firing .

The first thing any good infiltrator will require is the IT-33 Active Camouflage unit (also known as IT-33 Optical Camouflage – perhaps a mistake on EA's part?). While this does NOT provide invisibility at any range it provides about 90% stealth which is easily enough to slip by people in active combat situations (best when an orbital strike is being used). This allows one to move with a 90% stealth through most situations, it should be known that any fall damage BREAKS camouflage but can instantly be clicked again to re-activate it. There is also a heating problem where ti cannot be used for more than about 30 seconds straight. It cools off a lot faster when used for short bursts and given a few seconds of cooling. The optimla strategy is to move from hiding place to hiding place with short few second breaks in between to allow maximum speed and concealment.

The next weapon for any infiltrator is an explosive of choice either an APM or RDX Demo Pack. If your plan is to destroy the strategic objectives then Demo Packs are required. If you plan on laying traps while your squad captures control points APMs may be better suited. If you choose Demo Packs one thing to remember is it requires 2 demo packs to take out a strategic objective except the orbital strike unit (big column/rocket like appearance with small base) which requires 3 demo packs. Make sure you have a support with you or the commander can drop you supplies. However, do not get supplies next to a strategic objective because it will repair it (commanders can repair their own strategic objectives by dropping supplies on them). Demo Packs can also effectively take out vehicles if you simply stick them to the body of a vehicle and detonate them. Some tricks for using APM mines is to put them in the entrance you expect your opponent to show up from. If they have a good commander he is watching where you are moving and likely to spawn people either in front of you or nearest to you to stop your movements. Know which ways are most likely for an enemy to enter and place them there. Always aim for bushes or any sort of cover if possible to conceal their presence. As a last resort corners work well for placing them simply because they come around it and get blown up before they have a chance to see it.

The recon class as a whole is quite a an effective killing class, snipers can rack up many points with infiltrator pings (ironically this is for every 5 headshots in a round), explosive efficiency pins (8 kills with explosives) and combat efficiency pins. While they often lack of the team work side of things they can often top the killing chart on a scoreboard.