Gunner (Long War)
The Gunner class is similar to a suppression specialized Heavy in vanilla XCOM. Their signature ability is Suppression, and they are the only class that can use the Light Machine Gun and Squad Automatic Weapon line of weapons. Suppression is improved over vanilla, working to restrict the target's ability to use rockets and grenades as well as its vanilla effects. To compensate, the Gunner loses the vanilla Heavy's rockets.
- Primary Weapon: SAWs, LMGs, Assault Rifles
- Secondary Weapon: None
Abilities
Stat Progression
Rank | HP at level | Total HP | Aim at level | Total Aim |
---|---|---|---|---|
Specialist | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
Lance Corporal | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
Corporal | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
Sergeant | 0 | 2 | 3 | 12 |
Tech Sergeant | 1 | 3 | 3 | 15 |
Gunnery Sergeant | 0 | 3 | 3 | 18 |
Master Sergeant | 1 | 4 | 3 | 21 |
Tactical Advice
Role: Medium Range Offense / Offensive Support
The Gunner is akin to the vanilla Suppression Heavy, but with a key difference: the Long War Gunner has mediocre aim, compared to the vanilla Heavy's abysmal aim, meaning that unlike the vanilla Heavy she can put out reasonable damage with the machine gun when nothing needs suppressing.
In a sense the Gunner's first "perk" is their ability to use SAW and LMG-type weapons. SAWs have higher damage and larger magazines than assault rifles, with a mobility penalty. LMGs are even more restricted on mobility, but have even higher damage and larger magazines, have extended range, and suffer no aim penalty and can crit when taking their reaction shot at a target that's being suppressed. A major decision when building a Gunner is deciding if they will use a LMG or SAW-type weapon. SAW gunners have more mobility but shorter range, so will value some mobility and defense as well as offense. LMG gunners will be more interested in offense. Note that Suppression works at the LMG's full range.
Gunners have a lot of flexibility in their builds, with many viable combinations. Several strong utility perks are available, including Holo-Targeting and Shredder Ammo and of course Suppression. Gunners can make Suppression area effect with Danger Zone and make it inflict damage with Mayhem. Some strong offensive perks are also available in Double Tap, Rapid Fire and HEAT Ammo.