22 réponses à ce sujet

[David Diablo]

I WOULD have posted this in combat and strategy, but the forum seems kind of dead... Anyway, I love sniping in all games and I will have an infiltrator playthrough whatever I decide to do with my vanguard, but is sniping a viable tactic?

 

I'm curious because I wanted to change my soldier Shep into a biotic for ME3, but I still prefer to rely on weapons with him. On paper, it does look like a crap idea, but judging by my ability to snipe in MP, I really don't need the adrenaline rush or Infiltrator time dilation bonuses. But if the damage I cause is not up to scratch or I'll be charging once every five minutes, then sniping kind of loses it's point. I'm thinking of the Javelin or Black Widow for example. I want to use them in conjunction with reave, once I get it as a bonus power, nova and the occasional charge when I need barriers.

 

If anyone has tried this or has any good strategies that can make sniping on a vanguard work, it would be much appreciated. It'll be an insanity playthrough if that helps. Of course, if you want to call it a stupid idea, go right ahead! 

 

...But at least say why it's stupid...   

[RanetheViking]

In b4 someone says it's 'awesomely stupid". 

 

Seriously though give it a shot (no pun intended).

I'm not 100% sure but there might be something similar in the Combat Strategy section. But even if there's not it's these type of hybrid builds that can make the game more interesting. Combat Adept, Stasis Soldier, Melee Infiltrator Chargeless Nova Guard etc. That sort of thing. So why not a Sniper Vanguard?

 

I've been putting off doing a Vanguard run, because it's my least favourite class, or maybe I should say the least played. So if you do something like that let us know how it goes.

[RedCaesar97]

I have played a Vanguard that uses a sniper rifle. It can be fun.

 

You mention wanting to use the Javelin or Black Widow. One thing you have to keep in mind though is that in single player, shield gate is 100%, so the Javelin kind of sucks on the Vanguard, since it is way too heavy for not being able to one-shot shielded enemies. Black Widow may be better between those two choices. 

 

I prefer using the Raptor on the Vanguard myself, reminds me of the ME2 Viper. If you have the Collectors edition, you may have the Valiant, so that may also be a good choice. The Indra would also be a good choice as a rapid-fire sniper rifle.

 

I am running a bit late. I do have some videos on my YouTube channel showing a Vanguard with a sniper rifle. I'll spend some time later today trying to compile a list if you want to take a look. You may also want to search YouTube as well to see what you can find from other players, although you will probably get a lot of multiplayer videos instead of single player.

[Rusted Cage]

I think there might be too much of a disconnect between styles, with the fun close quarters combat of the Vanguard spoiled by the boring point and click approach of an entrenched sniper. If you can control the natural tendency to hang back in cover, the sniper rifle could be fun to open combat with before switching to a cqc weapon.

 

In mp I sometimes have a salarian engineer using the Indra. It is a good weapon and can also be used scopeless. It could be a viable cqc machine gun, maybe?

[DeathScepter]

both i do say.

[Vazgen]

Why not an assault rifle with a scope? Mattock, for example. Packs quite a punch, shoots quite fast, decent clip size, medium weight. 

For sniper rifles, maybe Incisor?

[RedCaesar97]

Why not an assault rifle with a scope? Mattock, for example. Packs quite a punch, shoots quite fast, decent clip size, medium weight. 

 

You could do the same thing with pistols, and some of the pistols pack quite a punch, particularly with the High Velocity Barrel mod (+40% weapon damage). Pistols also have the Cranial Trauma mod for extra headshot damage. You lack the Thermal Scope mod the assault rifles can get though, which can be useful for seeing through smoke and walls.

[RedCaesar97]

As promised, here is a collection of some videos showing a Vanguard using a sniper rifle:

 

Vanguard with the Mantis.

 

That video prompted someone to then challenge me to use the Kishock. So here is a video showing a "successful" run with a Kishock Vanguard.

But it did not always go smoothly. I experienced a lot of failures with the Kishock. And then a lot more failures.

 

 

NOTE: These next videos were of my first Vanguard playthrough. This is when I really sucked at the game (as opposed to now when I just sort of suck at the game). This was before the change to fire explosions and weapon balance changes. This was also before I knew about the damage penalty when shooting sniper rifles unscoped.

 

I tried picking videos where I used sniper rifles a lot. Most of the time I equipped them but barely used them.

 

Missing Krogan scouts. Raptor and Scimitar.

Turian Platoon. Viper and Katana.

Bomb Site. Raptor and Eviscerator.

The Shroud. Raptor and Scimitar.

 

There were some other videos where I used a scoped Phalanx and another where I used a scoped Carnifex in replacement of sniper rifles, but I barely used them.

 

I tried searching YouTube for some other sniper Vanguard videos but came up empty. My Search Fu may be weak though. If someone else wants to give a try, please do.

 

Also, if anyone reading this thread has videos of their own, please share them as well. Guaranteed they will be better than mine.

[Larry-3]

There is nothing wrong with a Vanguard-sniper. I am a Adapt and I always use a Defense Drone. I am almost certain someone will probably say, "why not just get Barrier for better protection?" Do not question me. I like my little drone. He is not as fat as a Combat Drone. He floats around me, he stuns and sometimes knocks down people. Plus he is like an anti-flanking replant.

[Excella Gionne]

I've done it before, and it is an acquired playstyle. I f'ing love unorthodox builds and playstyles. Sniper vanguards and adepts are really surprising to see especially in the Multiplayer. There's just more room to squeeze in more recharge speed in the single player. 

[David Diablo]

*snip*

 

Thanks for all the videos Caesar! They'll definitely help me make my decision. I've always disregarded the Raptor in MP, but it might be an ideal opportunity to blow the dust off of it. Shame about the Javelin, but I suspected that it might have been too much for the vanguard. I'm determined to make the Black Widow work though! 

 

It's good to see people have tried unorthodox builds, so at least I know I'm not crazy! 

 

Btw...

There is nothing wrong with a Vanguard sniper. I am a Adapt and I always use a Defense Drone. I am almost certain someone will probably say, "why not just get Barrier for better protection?" Do not question me. I like my little drone. He is not as fat as a Combat Drone. He floats around me, he stuns and sometimes knocks down people. Plus he is like an anti-flanking replant.

 

This idea makes my fiance very jealous that she didn't have a pet on her adept playthrough! 

[Larry-3]

I call mine drone "Ellipse". I am kind of nerdy with him, though. When I let him out I say cheesy things...

"Cover me, Ellipse."

"Ellipse, give me a shocking solution."

"Shock them and I may choose synthesis, Ellipse."

[Kabooooom]

Historically, I have always played as a Vanguard sniper. When you do it right, you are an absolute beast. The last time I played the game was the only time that I actually played as a traditional Vanguard. I enjoyed it, but I think ultimately the sniper vanguard is more fun to play. The goal is to maximize efficacy of long range and short range combat, and when you do it well it actually leads to a very fast playstyle of switching between engaging enemies at long and short range. I wrote a long post out here like a year ago on the best way to play as a Vanguard sniper. I'll see if I can try to find it if I have time.

Note:* It's worth mentioning that it is technically more difficult than playing as a traditional vanguard, and traditional vanguard overall makes the game easier. Certain parts of the game are particularly difficult as a sniper vanguard, and certain parts such as Grissom Academy are perfect for it. Overall it tips the scale towards traditional, but I think a sniper is more fun to play.

[crimzontearz]

I run my vanguard using only a sabre


It's insanely awesome

[NeroonWilliams]

Speaking to the OP, why not run as an Adept Sniper if your stated goal is to just upgrade Shepard to being biotic?  The mix of powers would seem to be a better fit to the MP playstyle you've described as preferring.  You could take an ammo power as your bonus to keep it more weapon oriented.

[David Diablo]

Speaking to the OP, why not run as an Adept Sniper if your stated goal is to just upgrade Shepard to being biotic?  The mix of powers would seem to be a better fit to the MP playstyle you've described as preferring.  You could take an ammo power as your bonus to keep it more weapon oriented.

 

How are the cooldown times though? I definitely want to try using some of the heavier sniper rifles, particularly the black widow. I know the cooldown on the vanguard would be average at best and the adept is more power focused and even squishier... Either way, I'll probably run with a sniper whenever I do get to an adept playthrough. I like sniping... 

[NeroonWilliams]

How are the cooldown times though? I definitely want to try using some of the heavier sniper rifles, particularly the black widow. I know the cooldown on the vanguard would be average at best and the adept is more power focused and even squishier... Either way, I'll probably run with a sniper whenever I do get to an adept playthrough. I like sniping... 

The majority of my Adept Shepards did also focus on sniping.  Cooldowns can be managed with the right armor sets and always choosing faster cooldowns from the periodic upgrades on Glyph's terminal.  You may still want to hold off on the BW until you have access to level X and all five of the SR Ultralight Materials.  I've found the Valiant to be a pretty good compromise, but if you want that one shot satisfaction, the good old Mantis is still one of the best SRs in the game and super light all on its own.

[Darkarus]

I generally play as an adept and take the extra weight morph when I can by weapon build is BW with Ultralight materials, the Paladin with ultralight materials and the Revenant lmg. The penalty is only 9% and with the Blood Dragon armor and Glyph's upgrades I do fine.

[KotorEffect3]

There is a reason why they allowed for any class in ME 3 to use any weapon.  It encourages the player to experiment with different combinations and playstyles if they want.  A sniper vanguard doesn't appeal to me but there are creative things to be done.  I think an adept sniper would make a bit more sense use singularity to string enemies up and then pick them off with the sniper but the fun is in trying new crazy things.

[NeonFlux117]

lol, I used a Black Widow Guard and I paired it with a talon with light weight materials. I think my recharge was still around 95 percentile or something. It was surprisingly fun. 

[o Ventus]

Seems like it would defeat the purpose of the Vanguard's unique ability.

[elrofrost]

I love the Indra. But why not use a pistol with a scope? The Paladin is deadly when a scope (and assuming you have the funds, an be purchased at ay time). Or the Carnifex; deadly at any range. Put a scope and and a armor mod on that thing and there isn't much that can't be one shotted. And pistols are light compared with the Black Widow. Though the Indra is also light and is almost a long-range assault rifle.

 

I'm talking SP, by the way.

[Kabooooom]

Seems like it would defeat the purpose of the Vanguard's unique ability.

It actually doesn't, it augments it. Vanguard is a class that is deadly at short range and can quickly close long distances for close range combat. A sniper rifle is deadly at long range. Therefore it is complementary, potentially, if you play the class correctly (and most people probably dont). The drawbacks are power slowdowns which can easily be augmented. My sniper vanguard is unstoppable on the battlefield at any range. With Inferno Armor, it is really almost like cheating. The problem with that is you sacrifice defense for power damage and recharge speed, but with nova augmenting shields it really doesn't matter much. You absolutely destroy everything on the battlefield. An Insanity play through is absolute cake for a sniper Vanguard, with the exception of Grissom Academy.