XCOM 2
XCOM 2

Sharpshooter

Dominate XCOM 2's battlefield with the Sharpshooter. Master Sniper or Gunslinger specializations for long-range precision or close-quarters combat.

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Sharpshooter

The Sharpshooter is XCOM 2's premier ranged specialist, capable of delivering devastating damage from extreme distances or unleashing a flurry of pistol shots up close. Their versatility allows for two distinct and powerful specializations: the traditional Sniper, who excels at eliminating high-priority targets with pinpoint accuracy, and the Gunslinger, a mobile combatant who leverages their pistol for rapid-fire engagements and area-of-effect damage. While incredibly potent, Sharpshooters are often vulnerable in close quarters, making careful positioning and squad synergy paramount to their survival and effectiveness.

Sharpshooter - XCOM 2 screenshot
A Sharpshooter lining up a critical shot from a vantage point.

Sharpshooter Specializations

Understanding the two primary paths for your Sharpshooter is crucial for effective squad building. Each path offers unique strengths and playstyles.

1. The Sniper: Long-Range Annihilation

The Sniper focuses on maximizing damage and utility with their sniper rifle. This build excels at taking out dangerous enemies from afar, providing overwatch support, and controlling the battlefield. They thrive when positioned on high ground, granting them significant aim bonuses and clear lines of sight. A Sniper's primary role is target elimination and area denial.

Recommended Sniper Build & Strategy

This build prioritizes maximizing sniper rifle damage, critical hit chance, and battlefield control through powerful overwatch abilities. Your Sniper should always seek high ground at the start of an engagement to gain an aim advantage and maximize their range.

  • Squaddie: Long Watch
    • Effect: Allows overwatch shots to be taken at extreme ranges, beyond normal sight lines.
    • Strategy: Essential for a sniper. This allows your Sharpshooter to cover a vast area and engage enemies before they even enter your squad's direct line of sight, setting up ambushes or providing crucial early damage.
  • Corporal: Deadeye
    • Effect: Grants +20% Aim for the current shot, but reduces damage by 2.
    • Strategy: Use this for high-HP, high-defense targets or when you absolutely need to hit a critical shot. The aim bonus is invaluable against enemies with high dodge or when your Sharpshooter is at a disadvantage. The damage reduction is often negligible compared to the benefit of a guaranteed hit.
  • Sergeant: Lightning Reflexes
    • Effect: The first reaction shot against this unit in a turn will always miss.
    • Strategy: While not directly offensive, this is a crucial defensive ability for a sniper, who often operates alone or in exposed positions. It allows your Sharpshooter to safely move into a better firing position or reposition without fear of triggering enemy overwatch.
  • Lieutenant: Kill Zone
    • Effect: Fire a reaction shot at every enemy that moves into or attacks within a cone-shaped area.
    • Strategy: This is a game-changer. Position your sniper to cover chokepoints or enemy spawn points. Kill Zone can wipe out entire pods of Advent troops if they move carelessly, making it one of the most powerful area-denial abilities in the game. Combine with Squadsight for maximum effect.
  • Captain: Steady Hands
    • Effect: Grants +10 Aim and +10 Critical Chance for the next shot if the unit did not move during its turn.
    • Strategy: This is the core of a stationary sniper's power. Always try to position your sniper so they don't need to move, allowing them to benefit from this significant accuracy and damage boost. This makes follow-up shots incredibly reliable and lethal.
  • Major: Serial
    • Effect: If you kill an enemy with your first action, subsequent kills this turn do not cost an action.
    • Strategy: The ultimate cleanup ability. After taking out a high-priority target, Serial allows your sniper to chain kills on weaker enemies, potentially clearing an entire pod in a single turn. Requires careful target prioritization to ensure the first kill is secured.
  • Colonel: In The Zone
    • Effect: Killing an enemy with a standard shot or a Deadeye shot does not end your turn, provided the target is flanked or exposed.
    • Strategy: This ability synergizes incredibly well with Serial and Kill Zone. It allows your sniper to continue firing as long as they are killing flanked or exposed enemies, turning them into a one-person army. With good positioning and target selection, a Colonel Sharpshooter with In The Zone can single-handedly clear multiple enemies in a turn.
Sniper Loadout Recommendations
  • Weapon: The best available Sniper Rifle (Magnetic, Plasma). Prioritize upgrades that increase damage, critical chance, and magazine size.
    • Weapon Upgrade 1: Hair Trigger (Chance for free action) or Laser Sight (+Crit Chance).
    • Weapon Upgrade 2: Expanded Magazine (More shots before reload) or Advanced Scope (+Aim).
  • Armor: Warden Armor for survivability and utility.
  • Utility Item:
    • Perception PCS: Boosts Aim, crucial for consistent hits.
    • Tracer Rounds: Provides a temporary Aim bonus to all allies against the targeted enemy.
    • Skulljack: For hacking objectives or gaining intel.
    • Mindshield: Protects against psionic attacks, especially useful against Sectoids and Avatars.

2. The Gunslinger: Close-Quarters Firepower

The Gunslinger specializes in pistol combat, transforming the Sharpshooter into a highly mobile, multi-target damage dealer. This build is less reliant on high ground and excels at clearing weaker enemies, finishing off wounded targets, and providing consistent damage output. They are surprisingly effective against armored units with the right abilities and upgrades.

Recommended Gunslinger Build & Strategy

This build focuses on maximizing pistol damage, action economy, and area-of-effect capabilities. Your Gunslinger should be positioned to engage multiple targets or provide rapid follow-up shots.

  • Squaddie: Return Fire
    • Effect: Automatically fire a pistol shot at the first enemy that attacks this unit each turn.
    • Strategy: Excellent for consistent damage and punishing aggressive enemies. It's a free shot that can often finish off weakened foes or soften up stronger ones.
  • Corporal: Lightning Hands
    • Effect: Fire a free pistol shot. This action does not end your turn.
    • Strategy: A cornerstone of the Gunslinger. This free action allows for an additional pistol shot each turn, significantly increasing damage output or allowing for a quick kill before moving or taking another action.
  • Sergeant: Quickdraw
    • Effect: Firing your pistol with your first action no longer ends your turn.
    • Strategy: This ability synergizes perfectly with Lightning Hands and other pistol abilities. It allows your Gunslinger to fire a pistol shot, then move, reload, or even fire another pistol shot (if Lightning Hands is still available). Great for hit-and-run tactics.
  • Lieutenant: Faceoff
    • Effect: Fire a pistol shot at every visible enemy within pistol range.
    • Strategy: The Gunslinger's primary area-of-effect ability. Use this to clear out multiple low-HP enemies or to apply shred/poison to a group. It's incredibly powerful for crowd control and softening up pods.
  • Captain: Steady Hands
    • Effect: Grants +10 Aim and +10 Critical Chance for the next shot if the unit did not move during its turn.
    • Strategy: While Gunslingers are more mobile, this ability is still valuable for turns where you need to maximize damage on a single target. If you can position your Gunslinger without moving, the aim and crit bonus makes their pistol shots even more lethal.
  • Major: Fan Fire
    • Effect: Fire three pistol shots at a single target.
    • Strategy: This is your single-target burst damage ability. Use it to quickly eliminate high-threat enemies or to shred armor. Combined with superior pistols and upgrades, Fan Fire can be devastating.
  • Colonel: Quickdraw (If not already taken at Sergeant, otherwise Serial or In The Zone for hybrid play)
    • Effect: Firing your pistol with your first action no longer ends your turn. (If taken at Sergeant, consider Serial for chain kills or In The Zone for continued action on flanked/exposed kills, making a hybrid build.)
    • Strategy: If you didn't take Quickdraw at Sergeant, it's essential here for maximizing pistol action economy. If you already have it, Serial can turn your Gunslinger into a cleanup machine, while In The Zone allows for continuous pistol fire on multiple targets if they are flanked or exposed, making for a very aggressive, mobile Sharpshooter.
Gunslinger Loadout Recommendations
  • Weapon: The best available Pistol (Magnetic, Plasma). Prioritize upgrades that increase damage, critical chance, and magazine size.
    • Weapon Upgrade 1: Laser Sight (+Crit Chance) or Repeater (Chance for instant kill).
    • Weapon Upgrade 2: Expanded Magazine (More shots before reload) or Autoloader (Free reload).
  • Armor: Warden Armor for survivability and utility.
  • Utility Item:
    • Perception PCS: Boosts Aim, especially useful for Faceoff.
    • Advanced Grenade: For shredding armor or clearing cover.
    • Talon Rounds: Increases critical hit chance, synergizes well with multiple pistol shots.
    • Bluescreen Rounds: Essential for dealing with robotic enemies, as pistol shots can apply the bonus multiple times.

General Sharpshooter Tips & Pitfalls

  • Positioning is Key: For Snipers, always seek high ground. For Gunslingers, maintain medium range to maximize pistol effectiveness while staying out of immediate danger.
  • Line of Sight: Snipers require clear lines of sight. Be mindful of environmental obstructions. Gunslingers are less restricted but still benefit from good angles.
  • Squad Synergy: Pair Snipers with Rangers or Specialists who can spot enemies or provide defensive buffs. Gunslingers work well with Grenadiers for armor shredding, allowing their pistol shots to do more damage.
  • Reload Management: Both specializations can burn through ammo quickly. Plan your reloads carefully, especially with abilities like Serial or Faceoff. Autoloaders and Expanded Magazines are highly recommended.
  • Mind the Flank: While Snipers are often out of immediate danger, a poorly positioned Gunslinger can quickly be flanked and overwhelmed. Use cover effectively.
  • Early Game Weakness: Sharpshooters can feel weak at Squaddie and Corporal ranks. They truly shine once they unlock their signature abilities like Kill Zone, Faceoff, and Lightning Hands. Protect them in the early game.