i like the sv98 with a 7x or 8x zoom with the straight bolt. it gives enough zoom to snipe but doesn't hamper you severely as the 12x. attach a laser sight for a quick from the hip shot for a failed knife attempt and you're in good shape.

the recon seems the least helpful position on the squad. the spawn beacon destroys once the recon uses it. the MAV is great until it inevitably gets shot down then you're outta luck unless you find a support with ammo (good luck with that if you're pugging)

i pair my f2000 with the tactical light. it feels cheap but then so does the defense on operation metro and i've seen a noticeable jump in the length per life. i'd like to use the heavy barrel but, to quote your father-in-law, it makes it climbs too much. the most important thing i learned for the assault class is to keep in full auto but shoot in short bursts.

i can on average get in the top three with the assault kit. the health kit is very helpful even with the disappointing inclusion of health regeneration. the recon kit is a different story but very enjoyable to snipe from over 300m.

Brad,

Put some frag-rounds in the shottie and you'll have some very satisfying (albeit probably over-powered) one-shot cross-map kills.  Whenever I pull out my semi-shottie with frag-rounds my buds laugh and say "here comes monk with his mini-APC"  hehe

Suffice it to say there are definitely a few "over powered" things in BF3 at the moment, IRNV being probably the main one.  I have personally never used it (my .9 and finally climbing KDR is all my own skill or lack thereof  ) and I always refer to people who do use it as being "IRNV-nubs".  So sorry to say it brad, but (for the moment) you're an IR-nub!  l also think tac-lights shouldn't blind as much in daylight and scope-glint (especially for the sniper) is too much as well.

That's one of the things I think that make the recon class so undesireable at the moment.  I mean at least tone down the scope-glint if the sniper is in the shadows/dark? 

I haven't played for awhile, class has gotten in the way but when winter break comes when you need a medic I will be there.

Well I don't know what they have done to the guns nerf wise ie big patch just dropped and I haven't played for 2 weeks. I was loving the KH2002. M4 ie accuracy to put you down quick. Scar and knife. 870MCS in subways was fun. Just don't miss in range fights, derp. I only got to level 20.

I hope teammate flashlights don't blind as much as enemies (god when my squad was doing camping all we did was flash each other while waiting for victims.) Most the time though I do run in though, over the years my kill death ain't as good as it use to be... At least I am still positive lol.

Only thing I really miss is recon with C4.... remember the old days of being able to fight armored vehicles (yes I know call in airstrikes) or when your team was worthless and pissed you off so you just hug them with C4...