What are the abilities and strategies for playing the Sniper hero in Dota 2?

Sniper in Dota 2 is a ranged carry hero known for his ability to deal damage from afar, excelling at picking off enemy heroes before they can close the distance. His abilities comprise of Shrapnel, which provides area control and slows enemies; Headshot, which gives a chance to deal extra damage and briefly slow with each attack; and Take Aim, increasing his attack range significantly. His ultimate, Assassinate, is a long-range nuke that targets a single enemy hero. Sniper's strategies often revolve around positioning, as he must stay at the edge of skirmishes due to his lack of mobility and escape mechanisms. To maximize his potential, one should focus on itemization that boosts damage output (like Maelstrom or Daedalus) and improves survivability or positioning (such as Shadow Blade or Hurricane Pike). Additionally, teammates should work to create space for Sniper to farm in the early game and protect him during team fights, enabling him to leverage his immense range and damage capabilities most effectively.