Sniper build (bolt action vs semi-auto, perks,..)

[Mordresh]

Hi,

I've created a new character and working my way into a sniper build.
I've picket the Cloak perk and the Assassin's Cache as it seems one can never have to much ammo, especially as I'm carrying two rifles in my load-out.

My main weapon is currently a bolt action one and my second weapon a semi-auto one for more closer/quicker encounters. I have a couple of questions:

- What's the pro's and con's about bolt-action vs semi-auto from the game's perspective? Are there even difference such as range because I don't see any "range" stat.
- What perks should I be focusing on around the cloak perk? I'm thinking about taking "Nerves of Steel" the 15% Crit modifier when mobs runs towards me as this sounds to be handy as I'm leveling up.
- My weapon is currently EGO 80, I'm also EGO 80. Can weapons be upgraded or is it just a "move on to another one, throw the previous one away" ?
- The other day some snare grenades dropped, blue ones. Whats the deal with these grenades, the snare was a whopping 4% ?? Is this normal, I mean a 4% speed reduction in speed seems like nothing right?
- How are sniper builds in PVP ?

Any input is appreciated!

[Storm58]

Hi,

I've created a new character and working my way into a sniper build.
I've picket the Cloak perk and the Assassin's Cache as it seems one can never have to much ammo, especially as I'm carrying two rifles in my load-out.

My main weapon is currently a bolt action one and my second weapon a semi-auto one for more closer/quicker encounters. I have a couple of questions:

- What's the pro's and con's about bolt-action vs semi-auto from the game's perspective? Are there even difference such as range because I don't see any "range" stat.
- What perks should I be focusing on around the cloak perk? I'm thinking about taking "Nerves of Steel" the 15% Crit modifier when mobs runs towards me as this sounds to be handy as I'm leveling up.
- My weapon is currently EGO 80, I'm also EGO 80. Can weapons be upgraded or is it just a "move on to another one, throw the previous one away" ?
- The other day some snare grenades dropped, blue ones. Whats the deal with these grenades, the snare was a whopping 4% ?? Is this normal, I mean a 4% speed reduction in speed seems like nothing right?
- How are sniper builds in PVP ?

Any input is appreciated!

Can't help out too much, but lets see what I can do to confuse you more...

1) Pros for Bolt Action: Does more damage per shot, typically a much higher crit shot as well. Forces you to take better aim (meaning long pauses between shots, so you better make 'em count!). Doesn't deplete your ammo quite as fast.

Pros for Semi: Can get guns with multiple shot bursts. This can make headshots nice and fun. Quicker firing, more shots at the target. More forgiving if you miss with a shot.

2) Weapons can be upgraded using Arkforge. It is a currency that drops from certain events (Sieges, for example I believe) as well as from lockboxes, if you are lucky. You spend the Arkforge in the same screen as the one to add mods and slots to your weapon. I believe it upgrades the weapon up 100 EGO at a time, but not over your current character's EGO level. The rarity of the weapon is what dictates the cost in Arkforge to upgrade it.

3) I'm guessing by "snare" grenades that you are talking about bio grenades. If that is the case, the bio grenades not only "snare" the target (which is really not too handy in most instances), but also decrease their damage output and make it so that they are more susceptible to "armor" damage. The bio grenades also seem to immediately take down any Dark Matter's front shield (the thing he hides behind).

4) Personal opinion here, but you may have a wicked time with a two-sniper-gun build. Not only will you chew through your tiny ammo supply within a couple of enemies, but sniper rifles are starting to lose their pizazz. They normally should kill normal mobs with one or two headshots but now the mobs are taking an obscene amount of headshots to die due to DLC 5. Mobs' armor also decreases the usefulness of sniper rifles in most cases.

I'm sure that damages will be adjusted so that sniper rifles are more like sniper rifles, but for the time being, I wouldn't use any sniper if other players are around, let alone two snipers for your whole loadout. As far as perks, not too sure on that.

Have fun though and here's to hoping that headshots become something again!

[Hopeisdead]

In PvP they are good.

[grembler1]

My sniper build though not optimal is a bolt action at range - better 1 shots and a lmg for close. Smg eats ammo faster and a shotgun doesnt seem to do as much damage. It was a good set up for solo side missions etc. perks i like execution, ambush, fortitude, cellular, nerves of steel, I also use respark shield when soloing - may have lower hp which is why i use fortutude by it regens fastest.

[Critical Errors]

My sniper build though not optimal is a bolt action at range - better 1 shots and a lmg for close. Smg eats ammo faster and a shotgun doesnt seem to do as much damage. It was a good set up for solo side missions etc. perks i like execution, ambush, fortitude, cellular, nerves of steel, I also use respark shield when soloing - may have lower hp which is why i use fortutude by it regens fastest.

Find a decent pistol to use for your secondary slot. A decent Autopistol or Wolfhound would benefit from the same perks as most sniper builds. You can use a Zoom scope on them as well if you prefer that type of targeting.

[Deunan]

I've picket the Cloak perk and the Assassin's Cache as it seems one can never have to much ammo, especially as I'm carrying two rifles in my load-out.

I generally try to path to the two perks for an EGO power that increase the duration (Infiltrator) and decrease the recharge time (Shadow's Core), so for Cloak that's Hunter's Stance which is also good in of itself for the crit damage increase and Nerves of Steel which is also very useful for sniping. Assassin's Cache is okay but it's fungible with an Ammo Spike once your ability to drop a spike regenerates (Damage Spike being the first one you use) and since it doesn't bridge out to one of the first two perks I mentioned I never have it in my perk loadout.

Storm58 is correct in noting that you're going to eat through your ammo very quickly with a two sniper rifle loadout. If you're really good at sniping I would stick with the Bolt Action one and if you're easing your way into it the semi-automatic one might be the better way to go. I would use whatever weapon you're most comfortable with for non-sniping combat in the second slot for when mobs close the distance you and them. Unfortunately for PvE, sniping is a bit broken since they recently introduced scaling. When you get an EGO rating boost from a Threat Level running in your area, it doesn't boost you up to the level of the mobs nothwithstanding what the Defiance team stated in the preview articles so you will have to land half a dozen head shots or more to down mobs scaled to tier 4.

[dramaQkarri]

I generally try to path to the two perks for an EGO power that increase the duration (Infiltrator) and decrease the recharge time (Shadow's Core), so for Cloak that's Hunter's Stance which is also good in of itself for the crit damage increase and Nerves of Steel which is also very useful for sniping. Assassin's Cache is okay but it's fungible with an Ammo Spike once your ability to drop a spike regenerates (Damage Spike being the first one you use) and since it doesn't bridge out to one of the first two perks I mentioned I never have it in my perk loadout.

Storm58 is correct in noting that you're going to eat through your ammo very quickly with a two sniper rifle loadout. If you're really good at sniping I would stick with the Bolt Action one and if you're easing your way into it the semi-automatic one might be the better way to go. I would use whatever weapon you're most comfortable with for non-sniping combat in the second slot for when mobs close the distance you and them. Unfortunately for PvE, sniping is a bit broken since they recently introduced scaling. When you get an EGO rating boost from a Threat Level running in your area, it doesn't boost you up to the level of the mobs nothwithstanding what the Defiance team stated in the preview articles so you will have to land half a dozen head shots or more to down mobs scaled to tier 4.

Also there's that pesky habit mobs now have at threat level 10 where they can now throw their 'nades perfectly on target to kill you from 3 stories down and 2 blocks over...

Stay safe out there.

[Eltruism]

FRC Particle Repeater - Fire nano - Mastered, increased clip size - all utility MODS, don't need crit or dmg modifiers, since, it always one shots everything.

Semi-auto sniper rifle.

Holding the trigger increases the amount of damage inflicted.

1 shot kills, 1 shot kills everywhere...even vs vehicles.

Add a simple sight that keeps the original design intact so you can see the charge and you're pretty much set.

The holding of the trigger, IMO, makes it even more efficient, since, you have to seek your targets between shots - thus, the time spent holding the trigger, and increasing it's damage, is not wasted time.

You could go all out utility with the perks, it would not change the fact that it one shots everything.

I like it's effect too...it leave's a very slim smoke trail - make's it look like a very potent rail gun.

Also, the our of zoom aiming is epicaly accurate.

[Overwatch]

Why on earth would a Sniper carry 2 Sniper rifles ?
The only time a Sniper ever carries 2 Sniper Rifles is when he is going to the gun range to sight them in.
Sure this is a game and is not truly reflective of reality.
My Sniper build consist of Semi Auto and a Light Machine Gun.
I have not played in a couple of weeks since the new DLC so it is difficult to remember exactly what they are.
The Sniper you can hold the trigger and it charges the round for more damage.
The Light Machine gun I think is the FRC Assualt rifle. When you look through the scope it has a red triangle picture. Works good for close in sniping too.

[Atticus Batman]

Why on earth would a Sniper carry 2 Sniper rifles ?
The only time a Sniper ever carries 2 Sniper Rifles is when he is going to the gun range to sight them in.
Sure this is a game and is not truly reflective of reality.
My Sniper build consist of Semi Auto and a Light Machine Gun.
I have not played in a couple of weeks since the new DLC so it is difficult to remember exactly what they are.
The Sniper you can hold the trigger and it charges the round for more damage.
The Light Machine gun I think is the FRC Assualt rifle. When you look through the scope it has a red triangle picture. Works good for close in sniping too.

For once I may agree with Overwatch. I believe Overwatch is talking about the Frc Particle Repeater. Although right now I am using an OJ no-nano Cyclone (semi-auto, when fully charged fires a 3 round burst, I believe it is an Arkbreaker weapon.) with a Purple Bio-nano Votan Auto-fragger (combat shotgun, pulling the trigger fires 3 consecutive shots) as my backup. For shields I use a (purple) Rebel Fortifier IV EX, wich causes me to take 6% less damage while standing still. I also use a damage spike, and power stim.

You will have to be over ego 1000 to equip all nine perks, but here's what I use:

CLOAK.

the perks are:

1:Shadow's Core
2:Shadowed Strike
3:Infiltrator
4:Failsafe
5:Height advantage
6:Cellular armor
7:Nerves of Steel
8:Ambush
9:Hunter's stance