that kinda build was my 2nd and 3rd playthrough build.
i used Sniper, SMG, and a Knife, just like you said. and no Psi Empathy.
but i only used the Sniper when i had to, e.g. starting a combat with one of the enemies is a Psi user that i need to take down early with the "Snipe" feat. i used Dragunov before i can craft a badass Spearhead Sniper, both can shoot twice per round.
luckily i still have the saved data. here's my level 1 stats, kind of, i forgot bcos currently it's level 30 now :
http://underrail.info.tm/build/?AQUIBgMIBQUPAAAPDw8ADw8PAAAAAAAAAAAAAA8AADEE378didn't pick stealth coz it's pretty useless early on. and i didn't focus on using a Sniper until i get Dragunov, only SMGs and Knives.
picked persuasion to meet up my target of 65 points to help me on certain persuasion check.
here's the current stats :
http://underrail.info.tm/build/?HgUKCAMKBQXClgAAwpZ9woJ4VUZkAGRkAAAAAAAAAEYAUDEETw0JwpkGAlw3C0sBNUnCtBBtGmzCnsKfwqDCocKcwq3fvwhigh stealth to get high extra damage from "Snipe" and make it easier to "Cut-Throat".
never picked Tailoring bcoz i never craft armor and i have Phantom Dancer anyway, i picked Electronics instead to make a great Emitter to mitigate damage.
i know there might be some flaws or some wasted points, e.g. i never picked Throwing and Traps, if you think you'd often throw grenades, you'd be mashing F9 lol. but you get the picture.