Sniper (LWR)

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   Sniper

Long War Rebalanced Snipers are akin to the vanilla Sniper, the main difference being that overwatch works with Squadsight. With Squadsight as their first ability, they're able to inflict long range damage on enemy targets from a position of safety.

Primary Weapon: Sniper Rifles, Marksman Rifles, Assault Rifles, Carbines, SMGs.

Secondary Weapon: Pistols, Machine Pistols.

Class-Limited items: Sniper Rifles.

Abilities

Rank	Ability
Specialist	Squad sight Squadsight Allows firing with long-range weapons around some obstacles and beyond 18 tiles at targets with a spotter (an ally at 0 AP that can see the target). Grants +2 aim per ally (+8 per scout) can see the target and -5 aim for each tile beyond 18. Overwatch and reaction shots are still limited to 18 tiles. Other abilities that consider the number of enemies in sight will also include any enemies in squadsight. Low Profile Low Profile Partial cover grants the defense and DR bonus of full cover.
Lance Corporal	In The Zone In The Zone Shooting with a steadied weapon allows this unit to fire 3 additional chain shots until they run out of ammo or targets. Chain shots have a stacking -20 crit malus. If this unit has not moved, standard shots outside an ITZ chain gain +15 aim/crit and trigger a free reload.		Mayhem Mayhem Suppression damages enemies immediately with a round of suppressive fire. Suppressive Fire can cause bleeding.		Double Tap Double Tap Shooting allows this unit to fire an extra shot if not out of ammo or targets. The extra shot gains +20 aim/crit if it's the same target. 1 turn cooldown after 2nd shot is used.
Corporal	Sharpshooter Sharpshooter All shots gain +15 aim against biological targets.		Holo Rounds Holo Rounds Firing at a target holos them for 3 turns [Prevents stealth, incoming shots gain +10 aim and +10 penetration].		Impact Impact Shots gain +10 penetration. Non-reaction shots disable their target's Overwatch and Reactive Targeting Sensors.
Sergeant	Ranger Ranger Grants +1 damage to all weapons and equipment, +0.6 mobility, and +10% throw/rocket range. Sidearms additionally gain +2 damage, +20 aim, and 1 AP reloads.		Executioner Executioner Grants +1 damage and +20 aim against targets at or below half HP. Double the effects if using a sidearm.		Opportunist Opportunist Reaction shots gain +10 aim and can critically hit.
Tech Sergeant	Precision Shot Precision Shot Fire a shot that has no squadsight penalties, +30 aim, and +30 crit. The shot will never graze. 3 turn cooldown. Only for Strike/Sniper Rifles.
Gunnery Sergeant	Disabling Shot Disabling Shot Fire a 0 AP 1 damage shot that disables the target's main weapon. Grants +1 ammo to primary weapons. Does not work against mechanical targets (except SHIVs). Cannot be used after activating In The Zone. 3 turn cooldown. Only for Sniper/Strike Rifles.		Vital Point Targeting Vital Point Targeting When hitting humans or autopsied biological aliens: steadied shots, reaction shots, or shots at targets not protected by cover double the bleed chance and deal 30% more damage.		Bring 'Em On Bring 'Em On This unit gains +0.5 damage on standard shots and incoming non-psionic attacks have a +5% graze chance for each enemy in sight.
Master Sergeant	Extra Conditioning Extra Conditioning Grants +2 armor HP and +0.6 mobility, and a 10% chance for all end-in-idle actions to cost 0 AP.			Lone Wolf Lone Wolf Grants 10 aim, crit, def and crit resist if not within 6 tiles of an allied unit.

Stat Progression

Rank	Attribute Gains
Specialist	+0-1 (50%)	+7-21	-	+2-6
Lance Corporal	+0-1 (10%)	+1-3	-	+0-2
Corporal	+0-1 (10%)	+1-3	-	-
Sergeant	+0-1 (10%)	+1-3	-	-
Tech Sergeant	+0-1 (10%)	+1-3	-	-
Gunnery Sergeant	+0-1 (10%)	+1-3	-	-
Master Sergeant	-	-	+0-1	-
Total	+0-6	+12-37	-	+2-8

Predictable Potential:

Rank	Attribute Gains
Specialist	+1	+14	-	+4
Lance Corporal	-	+2	-	+1
Corporal	-	+2	-	-
Sergeant	-	+2	-	-
Tech Sergeant	-	+2	-	-
Gunnery Sergeant	-	+2	-	-
Master Sergeant	-	+1	-	-
Total	+1	+25	-	+5

Tactical Advice

Snipers are quite similar to vanilla, but there are a few differences. Overwatch now has unlimited range with Squadsight. In The Zone and Double Tap remain good choices for taking multiple shots per turn, but the addition of high damage from Mayhem gives Snipers a high damage per shot option. Watch your ammo consumption with Double Tap and ITZ; high cap mags are a good item for them.

Snipers can use Sniper Rifles, which are powerful and effective at ranges, but only allow firing if the user hasn't moved. They can also use Strike Rifles, which can be fired after moving but have a larger penalty to aim at large Squadsight ranges and noticably less damage potential. Snipers can use Assault Rifles as well, but this isn't particularly useful in practice.

Sample Builds

In The Zone Sniper

The sniper specializes in dealing high single target damage mainly by overwatch. It is extremely effective against targets in cover and biological units. If the shot connects, there is a high chance that the target is dead and a small chance to have its action interrupted. Due to VPT, it is recommended to have a source of flush or be flanking biological units to increase the damage potential.

Sample Overwatch Build: Mayhem -> Impact -> Opportunist -> Precision Shot -> Vital Point Targeting -> Extra Conditioning.

Mayhem Mayhem

Impact Impact

Opportunist Opportunist

Precision Shot Precision Shot

Vital Point Targeting Vital Point Targeting

Extra Conditioning Extra Conditioning

Mayhem Overwatch Sniper

The Mayhem Overwatch Sniper specializes in delivering high single target damage at Squadsight range. Depending on the situation, the Sniper must decide whether to shoot directly at a high value target or to enter overwatch to prepare to respond to alien actions. The former offers more flexibility with high damage on the normal shot(+50% from Mayhem) while the latter sacrifice the ability to pick a specific target for truly devastating damage on the reaction shot (+100% from Mayhem and Opportunist and a near guaranteed stagger with Impact). Due to the inability of this build to fire more than once per turn, any missed shot has a high opportunity cost and thus only high aim Snipers (> 90 after initial promotion) should be considered. Even then, steadying is generally a good idea if preparing to pick off a specific high value target.

Sample Mayhem Overwatch Build: Mayhem -> Impact -> Opportunist -> Precision Shot -> Vital Point Targeting or Bring 'Em On -> Extra Conditioning.

Mayhem Mayhem

Impact Impact

Opportunist Opportunist

Precision Shot Precision Shot

Vital Point Targeting Vital Point Targeting Bring 'Em On Bring 'Em On

Extra Conditioning Extra Conditioning

Recommended Weapons: Sniper rifle or strike rifle on close combat maps. Secondary autopistol. Recommended Equipment: High Cap Mags, Scope/Alloy bipod, Damage boosting ammunition or Flak ammo.

Notes:

• VPT will increase damage significantly against biological targets while BEO will provide a more general damage increase

Double Tap Sniper

The Double Tap Sniper is a middle ground between the setup reliant In the Zone and the immediate power of Mayhem. It has the least potential damage, but its distinguishing strength is its flexibility and ease of use. It features both burst and sustained damage, depending on how you choose to spend the sniper's shots - concentrating your fire on one target, or weakening two targets. Out of all three Sniper builds it is the most forgiving on mediocre aim rolls (~80 after initial promotion) thanks to aim boosting perks such has Holo Rounds and Executioner. If the extra aim isn't needed then damage boosting perk may be picked instead. Finally, do keep in mind that Double Tap activates every other turn and thus a turn spent steadying between activations is more optimal damage wise (when equipped with High Cap Mags).

Sample Double Tap Sniper Build: Double Tap -> Holo Rounds or Impact -> Executioner or Ranger -> Precision Shot -> Disabling Shot or Vital Point Targeting or Bring 'Em On -> Extra Conditioning

Double Tap Double Tap

Holo Rounds Holo Rounds Impact Impact

Executioner Executioner Ranger Ranger

Precision Shot Precision Shot

Disabling Shot Disabling Shot Vital Point Targeting Vital Point Targeting Bring 'Em On Bring 'Em On

Extra Conditioning Extra Conditioning

Recommended Weapons: Sniper rifle or strike rifle on close combat maps. Secondary autopistol. Recommended Equipment: High Cap Mags, Scope/Alloy bipod, Damage boosting ammunition or Flak ammo.

Notes:

• Holo Rounds can be switched for Impact if the extra aim and utility isn't needed.
• Executioner can be switched for Ranger if the extra aim isn't needed. Ranger is also a good choice for close combat maps where a strike rifle flanker is a better alternative to the sniper rifle.
• The Gunnery Sergeant perks are all viable. Pick Disabling shot for added utility, VPT or BEO for extra conditional damage.

See also

Long War Rebalance: Soldiers
Soldiers	Soldiers Assault Infantry Rocketeer Gunner Sniper Scout Medic Engineer
MEC	MEC Troopers Marauder Goliath Jaeger Shogun
Sub-classes and abilities	Officers Psionics Gene Mods S.H.I.V.s