Hir Ranthar
Amarr Templars
Amarr Empire
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Posted - 2013.02.02 22:19:00 -
[1] - Quote
I concur with a lot of what is said here, but I'll add in my two cents. (And I am by no means a great sniper.)
I personally started out this build with a charge sniper rifle, and have since moved over the the tactical. Some people find the Charge easier to shoot due to the hold and release firing mechanism, and it takes some adjusting. As was mentioned, if you are really good at placing shots, a charge may be best for you because it does the most damage in a single shot. The downside is that if that shot isn't perfect, your target is going to be able to escape your line of sight. (At least, most of the time.) Also, charge snipers are TERRIBLE for sniping in the field or in any situation that you may run into infantry that you need to put down before they can reach you.
On the other hand you have the tactical sniper rifles. Tacticals have only 3 shots in a single magazine, and a lower damage rating, but they have a much higher rate of fire, which lets you easily get 2 or even 3 shots downrange before the target can respond and find cover. I find Tacticals the absolute BEST for counter sniping,(since you have a better chance of hitting with more shots) or for taking down heavies. Also, Tactical snipers exist at multiple tiers, and get better scopes/zoom at higher levels, so as a whole, they are a better long term rifle, and with better zoom you can be a better asset to your squad.
My own sniper build is on a Dragonfly (same as a tier 1 gallente scout suit) scout since I have been using my SP on skills besides my dropsuit. Your priorities as a sniper are, as the others have said, the Profile Dampening and Dropsuit Command skills. Together, these will give you a 50% decrease in your scan profile. Improving your armor and shield maximums are also very useful, so I recommend putting SP into those skills as well. After that, it is partially up to you. I have put points into increase my scan range, which helps me pick up Redberries a bit better, but it isn't really vital.
I do usually equip a shield cycler (or w/e they are called) to improve the recharge time on my shields in case an enemy sniper gets a shot off at me. I also always sport two profile dampners as advanced as my skills allow. Besides that, work on improving your light weapon skill sets to improve your overall performance, choose what type of sidearm you want, and level your operation skills.
So, as a whole I recommend prioritizing skills this way for a sniper (these terms are very general):
Sniper rifle operation (for whatever rifle you want to use, then just hold off on it for a while.)
Dropsuits and profile dampening (to improve your options and to some degree your survivability in battle.)
Armor and shields (So you stay alive longer.)
Circuitry type stuff, including light weapon upgrade to improve your cpu max and use. (So you can use more advanced equipment.)
Light weapon skills (To improve your effectiveness)
Sidearm specialization skills (So that when you are in a tight space, you can still kill that annoying assault who climbed up to your perch.)
I personally don't level nanocircuitry and just carry a militia nanohive. It fulfills my needs well enough, but that part really comes to personal preference and how you want to snipe.
Good luck, and welcome to the family of snipers!
~Ranthar |