Sniper (LWR)

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   Sniper

Long War Rebalanced Snipers are akin to the vanilla Sniper. 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.

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.		Magnum Magnum Sniper rifles, strike rifles and pistols gain +50% weapon damage. Standard and Precision shots pass through to enemy units behind the target (up to 24 tiles, non-reaction shots only, not amplified by target modifiers).		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.		Kitted Kitted Grants a medikit and a smoke grenade. If this unit does not have a scope, it gains a generic scope (+10 aim). If this unit does not have a plating, it gains a generic plating (+2 armor HP).		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.
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.		Shadowstep Shadowstep This unit gains +0.6 mobility and does not trigger reaction shots or pursuit when walking (not dashing). After repositioning, shots gain +25% crit damage until next turn.
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	Impact Impact Shots gain +10 penetration. Non-reaction shots disable their target's Overwatch and Reactive Targeting Sensors.		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%)	+12-20	-	+2-6
Lance Corporal	+0-1 (10%)	+2-6	-	+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	-	+1-3	-	-
Total	+0-6	+15-45	-	+2-8

Predictable Potential:

Rank	Attribute Gains
Specialist	+1	+16	-	+4
Lance Corporal	-	+4	-	+1
Corporal	-	+2	-	-
Sergeant	-	+2	-	-
Tech Sergeant	-	+2	-	-
Gunnery Sergeant	-	+2	-	-
Master Sergeant	-	+2	-	-
Total	+1	+30	-	+5

Tactical Advice

Snipers are quite similar to vanilla, but there are a few differences. 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 ITZ Sniper must first setup with a steadying turn before delivering a hail of three high powered sniper shots. On the next turn a normal shot may be fired to trigger a full free reload so the cycle may begin anew the following turn. This optimal turn pattern of Steadying > Shoot x 3 > Shoot + Reload is heavily reliant on positioning as the sniper has very few actions to spare for correcting said positioning. Additionally, any disruption (a hit taken while steadying, an alien flanking) can cut deeply into the effectiveness of this build. On the other hand, a timely Command charge from an officer or a lucky free action can greatly increase overall damage per turn.

Sample In The Zone Build: In the Zone -> Any -> Executioner or Ranger -> Precision Shot -> Any -> Any

In The Zone In The Zone

Disabling Shot Disabling Shot Kitted Kitted Sharpshooter Sharpshooter

Executioner Executioner Ranger Ranger

Precision Shot Precision Shot

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

Extra Conditioning Extra Conditioning Lone Wolf Lone Wolf

Recommended Weapons: Sniper rifle. A strike rifle is not recommended due to the mandatory steadying setup of ITZ which discourages movement. Secondary Autopistol.
Recommended Equipment: High Cap Mags (if Kitted wasn't taken), Aim-increaser, Bipod, Damage boosters, Special ammo.

Notes:

• Several ranks have a wide perk choice for the build:
  • At CPL, A steadied Disabling Shot is nearly guaranteed so it can be a useful utility, Kitted eliminates the need for extra ammo from an item, and Sharpshooter is a straightforward aim increase that is relevant for most of your shots.
  • At SGT, Executioner makes your main shots more reliable while Ranger gives you a little bit of everything and a significantly better secondary weapon to use while on the move.
  • At GSGT, Impact gives overwatch-clearing utility and a bit of damage, Vital Point Targeting gives your initial steadied shot 30% more damage, and Bring 'Em On is a damage/survivability increase that becomes better when the situation gets worse.
  • At MSGT, Extra Conditioning gives you a little bit of flexibility and a precious free action chance, but Lone Wolf is a generic stat-increasing perk.

Magnum Sniper

The Magnum 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, steady their weapon, or enter overwatch to prepare to respond to alien actions. The former offers more flexibility with high instant damage on the normal shot (+65% from Magnum). Steadying offers more aim and pen but delays a turn. Overwatch sacrifices crits and the ability to pick a specific target for cover bypassing and a potential second shot from psionics or gene mods. Due to the inability of this build to fire more than once per turn outside of Inner Fire or Enhanced Metabolism, any missed shot has a high opportunity cost. Steadying is generally a good idea if preparing to pick off a specific high value target. As well, the build can choose to use a Strike Rifle to be more mobile.

Sample Magnum Overwatch Build: Magnum -> Sharpshooter/Kitted -> Opportunist -> Precision Shot -> Vital Point Targeting or Bring 'Em On -> Any

Magnum Magnum

Sharpshooter Sharpshooter Kitted Kitted

Ranger Ranger Executioner Executioner Shadowstep Shadowstep

Precision Shot Precision Shot

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

Extra Conditioning Extra Conditioning Lone Wolf Lone Wolf

Recommended Weapons: Sniper or Strike Rifle. Sniper rifles for more damage and penetration; Strike rifles for more flexibility and maneuverability.

Recommended Equipment: High Cap Mags, Aim-increaser, Damage boosters, Special ammo.

Notes:

• Strike Rifle users will value Shadowstep a lot more due to the 30% extra crit after moving, extra movement, and ability to avoid being locked down by enemy reaction fire
• Impact pairs well with Shadowstep to remove Overwatch without consumables, VPT will increase damage significantly against biological targets while on Overwatch or flanking, and 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 (~85 after initial promotion) thanks to aim boosting perks such as Sharpshooter and Executioner. If the extra aim isn't needed then damage boosting perks 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 or Kitted). It also works with secondaries, making pistols quite potent in a pinch.

Sample Double Tap Sniper Build: Double Tap -> Any -> Ranger -> Precision Shot -> Any -> Any

Double Tap Double Tap

Disabling Shot Disabling Shot Kitted Kitted Sharpshooter Sharpshooter

Ranger Ranger

Precision Shot Precision Shot

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

Extra Conditioning Extra Conditioning Lone Wolf Lone Wolf

Recommended Weapons: Sniper rifle, Strike Rifle (if range and mobility is important). Secondary autopistol.
Recommended Equipment: High Cap Mags, Aim-increaser, Damage boosters, special ammo.

Notes:

• Like on ItZ Snipers, several ranks have wide perk choices:
  • At CPL, Disabling Shot is quite reliable when used on the second shot and also can use the maim chance after injuring an enemy, Kitted + an ammo item lets you double shoot -> shoot -> double shoot due to having 5 ammo, and Sharpshooter is a generic aim increase to help with reliability.
  • At GSGT, Impact gives you a bit of utility and damage, VPT makes Strike Rifle or Autopistol flanks much more potent, and BeO is a generic damage/survivability increase (but only for the primary weapon).
  • At MSGT, EC lets you position more flexibly while also having a small free action chance that works well with Double Tap's multiple shots, and Lone Wolf is a generic stat-increaser that can increase your lethality.
• Ranger turns your Autopistol into a quite potent weapon, as it can benefit from many of the Sniper's perks including Double Tap, VPT, Impact, EC, and Lone Wolf.

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