Newb Sniper/Ar build

[Easyprey]

Howdy.

After a few test runs, I started my current playthrough on Hard difficulty.

I'm currently lv 22, considedring to go in Expedition. I have to admit I'm pretty satisfied with my build (combat wise at least ...), I didn't follow any precompiled build, just read around casually, mostly to understand what feats actually did, gameplay mechanics, etc..

Since I've got snipe, I open fight from stealth with it. Got my hands on the Dragunov, refubished it pretty soon. Added killing spree, then commando.
I regularly kill 4 target during first round, if things don't work out smoothly I pop premeditation+ time contraction + adrenaline.
I use traps only but seldomly. I made vast use of molotov cocktails early on for area denial and setting stuff on fire, now much less.

Ofc if I somehow miss a 95% snipe & aimed shot I'm done for, but that's acceptable I guess.
Crawlers have been a major pain in the ass, especially those leading to the Black Crawler Lair near Rail Crossing.

What gives me pause is the crafting section of my build. I took 7 point in intelligence, but at the moment I only took Power Managment from the crafting feats (and I'm even second guessing it...).

I tried to craft weapons and armors, to get use of mechanics and tailoring past 50 points, but utill now I'm not very satisfied with the results. Unique weapons are more than adequate, (Dragunov, K&H KH416 , Thumper). Recently I managed to craft Rapid Precise Chimera which is arguably better untill I can refurbish the Kh416.

Leather armors, and hence tailoring, are the true let down though. I don't need dodge and evasion. Neither damage resistence really. Rat King Regalia was very good untill I decided to move from 5 to 6 strength, now I really don't know what to use and crafting doesn't help with that at all.

Jkk tactful jacket is meh. Crafting a new cave hopper leather for that useful +1 agility? I guess that's an option, but going from +20 stealth to + 40 stealth doesn't feel like a bouns worth of the points I spent in tailoring.

Electronics has good payoff at least, the crafted shields are good, taser is a must, but I doubt I will really feel that +35% capacity in the end.

Chemistry will stay low, I find much more granades of what I make us of lately, but it has been pretty helpful early on.
Same for biology. I find so many hypos right now, though It has been pretty helpful to be able to craft adrenaline a few level ago.

I guess on my next run I won't give 7 points to intellect, I didn't see much benefit in it. And keep tailoring at lower levels if my build doesn't need specifically a good armor.

About specialization points I guess I made a mistake in taking the opportunist ones instead of the concentrated fire ones, but I'm not feeling my damage output hindered at the moment.

I guess this post was to ask for any general advice and see if there's anything major that I've missed.

Would this build work on Dominating? How could I optimize it?

[Vokial]

Traps are much-much more useful with Trap Expert. It's a lot more than QoL, like how it seems. Simply placing traps almost immedaitely allows you to set them up a LOT closer to enemies with stealth. Quick Tinkering is perhaps the best CC in-combat ability. Interloper + Hit and Run is a must, Sprint is not needed. Ambush is fundamental too.

In general, I don't see the reason to get feats for two separate weapons that both meant to be used as main source of damage. When an enemy is within AR range (or even a tile close), you can just as well kill them with a sniper rifle. Due to this, taking feats of anything else is a waste. Especially if they involve you wasting stat points too. Also you have to carry more bullets, often different caliber. A pistol can be the only exception as it won't fight the rifle, it supports it with boosting your Initiative and allows you to perform Kneecap Shot with the longest range and the cheapest AP. Excellent CC ability for any incoming melee.

In addition, with high Detection and Stealth, crawlers pose zero danger and are just sitting ducks. Even without Motion-Tracking Goggles with NV, you can easily spot them before they notice you and just pop them. They also cannot open doors. Paranoia helps your bad Initiative and is pretty much the anti-crawler feat for so many reasons. Once you are able to make crawler poisoned Bear Traps and see just how immensely OP those are, you feel like you want to farm these critters. Incendiary Traps are also amazing to trigger Fear and Ambush on demand where you want it.

Any case, here's a tried and tested DOM-proof Sniper build for reference:

https://stygiansoftware.com/forums/index.php?topic=10837.0

[Eidein]

Dragunov is bad use AFW instead until you get a spearhead and/or a harbinger.

And traps are lame.

[Eidein]

In general, I don't see the reason to get feats for two separate weapons that both meant to be used as main source of damage.

Disagree here, I think AR is the wrong choice since AR can kill anything sniper can kill, just better. However SMG pairs very well with sniper, incendiary bullets can proc ambush and its a good low ap close range choice.

[Easyprey]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Traps are much-much more useful with Trap Expert. It's a lot more than QoL, like how it seems. Simply placing traps almost immedaitely allows you to set them up a LOT closer to enemies with stealth. Quick Tinkering is perhaps the best CC in-combat ability. Interloper + Hit and Run is a must, Sprint is not needed. Ambush is fundamental too.

In general, I don't see the reason to get feats for two separate weapons that both meant to be used as main source of damage. When an enemy is within AR range (or even a tile close), you can just as well kill them with a sniper rifle. Due to this, taking feats of anything else is a waste. Especially if they involve you wasting stat points too. Also you have to carry more bullets, often different caliber. A pistol can be the only exception as it won't fight the rifle, it supports it with boosting your Initiative and allows you to perform Kneecap Shot with the longest range and the cheapest AP. Excellent CC ability for any incoming melee.

In addition, with high Detection and Stealth, crawlers pose zero danger and are just sitting ducks. Even without Motion-Tracking Goggles with NV, you can easily spot them before they notice you and just pop them. They also cannot open doors. Paranoia helps your bad Initiative and is pretty much the anti-crawler feat for so many reasons. Once you are able to make crawler poisoned Bear Traps and see just how immensely OP those are, you feel like you want to farm these critters. Incendiary Traps are also amazing to trigger Fear and Ambush on demand where you want it.

Any case, here's a tried and tested DOM-proof Sniper build for reference:

https://stygiansoftware.com/forums/index.php?topic=10837.0

I get how strong traps are, I tend to use them only when I'm struggling. I did in the early game, now I rarely do. I still carry a few traps around for thought times.

During a previous test build a got interloper. Made stealth a lot more easy to use.
I guessed I could have done without, but it's definetly useful.

My previous test builds were to determine which side arm to use with a sniper. I tried pistols and Smgs. I decided to save pistols for a full pistol run.
I was undecided between AR and Smgs untill the last moment. Smgs a probably a better complement to Sniper Rifles, yeah.

Although I don't think I completely wasted that point really. Isn't 6 strength needed to carry that last unique SR?

About crawlers. I'm running a high perception build, and I carry around a pair of detection goggles. Still, it takes a few moments to spot them, and sometimes they still take me by suprise. They are less of a threat now, but I did struggle a lot with some early encounters.
I dread what pain in the ass they could be for a low perception build, especially since I'd like to try a psi build next.

All in all, in retrospective, I think I've ditched too many QoL talents, probably because as a newb I expected some crazy difficult ahead.

Thanks for your advice.

[Easyprey]

In general, I don't see the reason to get feats for two separate weapons that both meant to be used as main source of damage.

Disagree here, I think AR is the wrong choice since AR can kill anything sniper can kill, just better. However SMG pairs very well with sniper, incendiary bullets can proc ambush and its a good low ap close range choice.

Dragunov is bad use AFW instead until you get a spearhead and/or a harbinger.

And traps are lame.

Smg feels pretty solid too, they are probably a better pairing. My idea was to have 2 one shot long range, then 2 (3) one shot (burst) mid range.
I felt like smgs would need me to be too close to the enemy for my own good.

And yeah, AR can kill almost anything with one burst. Almost.
I feel like a 400% damage snipe can hit that spot.
AR definetly can work on their own, but then what? If you prefer, let's say this is an AR glass cannon build with a side of SR 

About Dragunov, I progressed in the game and crafted 12.7 mm reaper harbringer. Now im doing Expedition, still haven't tackled DC.
Having fun murdering scores of natives with contaminated bullets atm.

I still didn't find the AFW.

My bad, I looked it up, apparently I missed it in Foundry. 
I'm going to give it a try now, thanks.

[Eidein]

AR kills everything and anything, my AR build 1 burst 8k hp off the final boss.

[Easyprey]

AR kills everything and anything, my AR build 1 burst 8k hp off the final boss.

Yeah, I'm sure of it. My point was exactly that it may feel a little boring to just burst things down after a while.

But that's just my opinion or a matter of personal preference if you will.

After all this is my first full fledged playthrough, I think it's understandable I wanna try and mix things a little.

[Eidein]

Oh sure AR is boring braindead, SMG is much more fun. Especially paired with sniper.

[Easyprey]

Well, for this playthrough I lost my chance when I took concentrated fire instead of spec ops.

Next time, I guess 

Or the next after that, because next run is going to be either psi or pistol