User:Binkyuk

Sniper

A class able to inflict massive long range damage on enemy targets from a position of safety. They are good at inflicting critical hits, and can augment the chances further with their special Headshot ability. Special training can allow the sniper to provide long range cover fire, disarm enemies or reconnaissance.

The Sniper relies heavily on mobility, favourable terrain and the cooperation of squad mates to locate their marks. The Sniper is otherwise a poor close range combatant.

• The Sniper's primary weapon is the Sniper Rifle. This weapon offers high damage and a +20 Critical Chance to any shot, with the critical hit chance increasing on each tech upgrade, from Laser Sniper Rifle to Plasma Sniper Rifle.
• Sniper Rifles are also the only starting weapon that can fire at hostiles outside the units' view, using the Squad Sight Sniper ability.
• Snipers Rifles can only be fired or used for Overwatch with a full 2 actions or not at all. The Snap Shot ability eliminates this requirement and allows the Sniper to Move and Fire. However, this ability inflicts an accuracy penalty on all Sniper Rifle attacks.
• Sniper Rifles suffer an aim penalty when targeting enemies in close quarters, requiring a switch to the pistol. Of all the classes, the Sniper relies on the Pistol the most.
• Snipers may be trained to use their Pistols for greater damage (+2 points) with the Gunslinger ability, and can augment it further with higher tech pistols and the relevant Foundry upgrades.
• Snipers can Overwatch with their pistols at Squad Sight range. This is a bug that can be accessed on the PC release by reselecting the sniper and switching weapons. This cannot be done on the console releases.
• The Battle Scanner can reveal groups of enemies without activating them, and can also be thrown through UFO doors.

Rank	Ability
Squaddie	Headshot Fire a shot with +30% critical chance and extra damage on critical hits based on the tech level of the sniper rifle. 2 turn cooldown.
Corporal	Snap Shot Removes the sniper rifle's restriction on firing and Overwatch after moving. Any shots taken suffer a -20 Aim penalty.	Squad Sight Allows firing at targets in any ally's sight radius.
Sergeant	Gunslinger Confers 2 bonus damage with pistols.	Damn Good Ground +10 Aim and +10 Defense against enemies at lower elevation in addition to the usual elevation bonuses.
Lieutenant	Disabling Shot Allows the Sniper to fire a shot that causes the target's main weapon to malfunction. The target may use Reload to fix the weapon. The shot cannot inflict a critical hit. 2 turn cooldown. -10 Aim penalty	Battle Scanner Scanning device, when thrown creates a new source of vision for 2 turns. Can only be used 2 times per battle.
Captain	Executioner +10% Aim against targets with less than 50% Health.	Opportunist Eliminates the Aim penalty on reaction shots, and allows reaction shots to cause critical hits.
Major	Low Profile Makes partial cover count as full.
Colonel	In The Zone Killing a flanked or uncovered target with the sniper rifle does not cost an action.	Double Tap Allows both actions to be used for Standard Shot, Headshot, or Disable Shot, provided no moves were made. 1 turn cooldown.

Additional Notes

• The most important decision for a sniper is whether they are Squad Sight or Snap Shot. A Snap Shot sniper is more mobile (which is probably a role better suited to another class) , while a Squad Sight sniper will stay back and deliver long-range fire.
• The sniper then has the choice of taking Gunslinger or Damn Good Ground to either combat their weakness in close combat or capitalize on their strength. Mind that Gunslinger is quite redundant if a Sniper possesses Snap Shot already.
• If equipped with the Battle Scanner Snipers may also scout for hostiles without the need to send (and risk) a squad member.
  • Battle Scanners do not trigger alien "duck for cover" actions.
• Snipers can also train on their unique Disabling Shot perk, allowing them to temporarily disable an alien's weapon. This is useful for captures, or to shut down Cyberdiscs or Sectopods that you won't be able to kill this turn. Disabling Shot is also very useful to prevent mind controlled squad members from firing at your soldiers.
• Rank promotions will give Snipers the biggest increase in Aim when compared to the other classes (+40 points total). Their drawback is that upon reaching Colonel rank a Sniper will also receive less 1 Health Point than any of the other classes (+3 total) but the same Will (+14 total).
• Equipping the Sniper with armor that has a grappling hook is particularly helpful to establish a safe shooting position with wide field coverage and to use the Squad Sight and Damn Good Ground perks.
  • Archangel armor will also allow this. The sniper will benefit from Damn Good Ground while hovering.