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:

Abilities

Rank	Ability
Specialist	Squadsight Allows firing with long-range weapons around some obstacles and beyond 18 tiles at targets with a spotter (an unconcealed ally at 0 AP that can see the target). Grants +3 aim per ally that can see the target and -5 aim for each tile beyond 18. Does not apply to overwatch or reaction shots.
Lance Corporal	In The Zone Shooting with a steadied weapon allows this unit to fire up to 2 extra shots until out of ammo or targets. Standard shots that are not part of an ITZ chain gain +10 aim and grant an automatic reload.		Mayhem Suppression has 1 turn less cooldown and deals suppressive fire damage immediately.		Double Tap Shooting or using burst allows this unit to fire an extra shot (at +25 aim/crit if it's the same target) if not out of ammo or targets. 1 turn cooldown after 2nd shot is used.
Corporal	Bullseye Grants +25 aim and crit if shooting at 2AP or against a target on overwatch (double if both).		Executioner Grants +15 aim (+50 aim for pistols) against targets at or below half HP.		Death From Afar Grants +10 aim when firing at squadsight range.
Sergeant	Ranger Grants +1 damage to all weapons and equipment, +0.6 mobility, and +10% throw range. For sidearms: No long-range aim penalty and reloading costs only 1 AP.		Holo Rounds Firing at a target during this unit's turn holos [Prevents concealment/stealth, incoming shots gain +20 aim and +1 penetration] them for 3 turns.		Sharpshooter All shots with the primary weapon gain +15 aim and crit against biologic targets.
Tech Sergeant	Precision Shot Fire a shot that has no squadsight penalties, +30 aim, and +30 crit. The shot will never graze. 2 turn cooldown. Only for Strike/Sniper Rifles.
Gunnery Sergeant	Disabler All shots gain a 20% chance to jam enemies weapons, forcing a reload before they can fire again (each enemy weapon can only be jammed once). Grants Disabling Shot. Disabling Shot If this unit has a sniper/strike/arc rifle: Fire a shot that disables a target's main weapon if it connects. The shot deals 1 damage and costs 0 AP. Does not work against mechanical targets. Cannot be used after activating Double Tap or In The Zone. 3 turn cooldown. Grants +1 ammo to non-arc primary weapons.		Vital Point Targeting Steadied shots, reaction shots, or shots at targets not protected by cover deal 30% more damage when hitting humans or autopsied biological aliens.		Bring 'Em On Grants additional shot damage equal to half the number of enemies in sight. Grants additional aim and graze chance equal to 5x the number of enemies in sight.
Master Sergeant	Extra Conditioning Grants +3 armor HP, +0.6 mobility, 10% throw range, and a 10% chance for all end-in-idle actions to cost 0 AP.			Lone Wolf Grants 10 aim, crit, and defense if not within 4 tiles of an allied unit.

Attribute Progression

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 +100% damage from Mayhem gives Snipers 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 extreme ranges, but only allow firing if the user hasn't moved unless, but they can also use Strike Rifles, which are shorter range sniper rifles that can be fired after moving. Snipers can use Assault Rifles as well, but this isn't particularly useful in practice, since the Infantry class generally performs better with Assault Rifles. As in vanilla, Snipers gain the most aim of any class.

Sample Builds

Heavy Sniper

This build orients the Sniper into an effective, single target, high damage, unit with effective action economy. While this Sniper is less effective in the early game, it will gain power as the Sniper levels up and as better equipment becomes available. Mayhem doubles the damage output of the Sniper when it strikes a target, assuming a high damage hit of 7 damage with a ballistic Sniper rifle, Mayhem can transform that to 14 damage, Mayhem also helps the Sniper punch through enemy damage resistance. Death From Afar and the end game Lone Wolf gives a near universal boost to the Sniper who typically should be operating at squadsight range, although all Corporal perks are viable for this build. Sharpshooter helps the Sniper hit and punch through targets in cover. Vital Point Targeting provides a further significant boost to damage output to exposed organic targets.

Sample Heavy Sniper Build: Mayhem -> Death From Afar -> Sharpshooter -> Precision Shot -> Vital Point Targeting -> Lone Wolf.

Mayhem

Death From Afar

Sharpshooter

Precision Shot

Vital Point Targeting

Lone Wolf

Note: High Will snipers can benefit from certain psionic items that boost accuracy.

Recommended Equipment: Scope, High Cap Mags, Neural Gunlink, Alloy Bipod.

See also

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