If you’re looking to master the battlefield from a distance, the Sniper build for the Sharpshooter class in XCOM 2 is the perfect choice. While the Gunslinger excels at close-quarters versatility, the Sniper offers precision lethality from afar. In this guide, we’ll walk through the best promotions, gear, and strategies to help you build an elite long-range Sharpshooter.

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Best Sharpshooter Abilities (Sniper Build)

1. Long Watch vs. Return Fire

• Recommended: Long Watch
  Long Watch allows your Sniper to enter Overwatch with their primary weapon, even without seeing the enemy directly. This complements the Sniper’s role perfectly—holding long lines of sight and punishing enemies from a distance.

2. Deadeye vs. Lightning Hands

• Early Game: Lightning Hands
• Late Game: Deadeye
  Lightning Hands gives you a free pistol shot—great when your Sniper’s aim is still developing. Later, when aim is boosted via scopes and PCS upgrades, Deadeye becomes more viable for high-damage shots against priority targets.

3. Death From Above
A critical mid-tree skill. If you score a kill from an elevated position, you regain one action. While it doesn’t grant a second sniper shot, it’s perfect for reloading, repositioning, entering Overwatch, or activating Kill Zone.

4. Kill Zone
A cornerstone of the Sniper build. Kill Zone puts your Sniper into Overwatch with reaction fire on every enemy that moves through a cone-shaped area. Activate it before engaging to shred advancing enemies during their turn.

5. Steady Hands vs. Aim

• Recommended: Steady Hands
  Steady Hands provides +10 aim and +10 crit chance after remaining stationary in the previous turn. It’s tailor-made for Snipers, who often stay anchored on high ground. Aim, on the other hand, requires hunkering down, which sacrifices damage output.

6. Serial
Serial is your late-game powerhouse. Every kill with your sniper rifle resets the action—letting you chain multiple kills in one turn. Set it up by weakening enemies first with other squad members. Even two back-to-back kills makes Serial game-changing.

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Optimal Gear Loadout

Primary Weapon Mods

• Scope: Maximizes your aim—essential for long-range consistency. Upgrade to superior scopes as soon as they’re available.
• Expanded Magazine: Kill Zone and Serial can empty a clip fast. This ensures fewer reload interruptions during critical turns.

PCS (Personal Combat Sim)

• Recommended: Aim PCS
  An Aim boost turns your Sniper into a reliable damage dealer, especially valuable for Deadeye and critical late-game shots.

Ammo Choices

• Early Game: Tracer Rounds – Provides a flat aim boost, helping offset early weapon penalties.
• Late Game Options:
  • AP Rounds – Ignore armor. Best against MECs, Mutons, and Sectopods.
  • Dragon Rounds – Adds burn damage, ideal for wear-down tactics.
  • Venom Rounds – Applies poison, reducing enemy aim and mobility.

Armor Upgrade

• Spider Suit (Recommended):
  Grants a free grappling hook move for instant high-ground access without consuming an action. Perfect for repositioning and keeping your Sniper deadly from above.

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Tactical Tips for Sniper Domination

• High Ground Always Wins:
  Position your Sniper on elevated terrain for aim bonuses and Death From Above activations.
• Kill Zone Timing:
  Use Kill Zone before revealing enemies to capitalize on their movement phase and deal massive reactive damage.
• Coordinate with Your Squad:
  Let Specialists and Grenadiers weaken enemies so your Sniper can clean up with Serial or high-damage shots.
• Ammo Flexibility:
  Always match your special ammo to the mission—AP for armor-heavy pods, Venom or Dragon for clustered organic enemies.
• Invest in Upgrades Early:
  A powerful Sniper hinges on good gear—prioritize weapon upgrades (especially scopes and magazines) in the early campaign.

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Conclusion

A properly built Sniper is a surgical tool—lethal, precise, and efficient. With the right abilities, equipment, and positioning, your Sharpshooter will be the backbone of your kill zone, eliminating threats before they can even act.

If this guide helped you, share it with fellow Commanders. For more squad builds and tactical breakdowns, subscribe to our channel or check out our other XCOM 2 class guides.

Good luck, Commander. The battlefield is yours to watch over.