Sniper Marksmanship Basics Guide

Crouches in place, taking cover if used behind an object that provides cover. Crouching enables the use of cover-only abilities, and so long as you remain down behind a cover object, most ranged attackers strike your cover instead.

You must be in cover to take advantage of some of you abilities. Your Crouch will allow you to take cover where you are standing.

Roll into the selected cover point. If no cover point is available, you will crouch in place. Taking cover enables the use of cover-only abilities, and so long as you remain down behind a cover object, most ranged attackers strike your cover instead.

You must be in cover to take advantage of some of you abilities. You have two ways to enter Cover - your normal Cover in place ability, and your Environment Cover, which you can only use if there is terrain to take cover behind nearby, indicated by a holographic green figure crouching in front of a rock or barricade.

Shoots your rifle at the target, dealing weapon damage.

Shoots your rifle at the target, dealing weapon damage.

Shoots a target for weapon damage.

Shoots a target for weapon damage.

Attempts to take the target down with a single powerful shot that deals weapon damage. Only usable on targets at or below 30% max health.

Attempts to take the target down with a single powerful shot that deals weapon damage. Only usable on targets at or below 30% max health.

Allows you to catch your breath, recovering your health and energy over 15 seconds. This is only usable out of combat.

Regain health out of battle.

Increases critical hit chance by 5%.

Increases critical hit chance by 5%.

Increases the critical chance of Suppressive Fire by 15% and increases its critical damage by 30%.

Increases the critical chance of Suppressive Fire by 15% and increases its critical damage by 30%.

Increases the critical chance of Takedown and Penetrating Blasts by 15% and reduces the energy cost of Takedown by 3.

Increases the critical chance of Takedown and Penetrating Blasts by 15% and reduces the energy cost of Takedown by 3.

Increases the critical damage dealt by Ambush, Penetrating Blasts, Followthrough, Snipe, and Takedown by 10%.

Increases the critical damage dealt by Ambush, Penetrating Blasts, Followthrough, Snipe, and Takedown by 10%.

Reduces the cooldown of Ambush and Penetrating Blasts by 3 seconds.

Reduces the cooldown of Ambush and Penetrating Blasts by 3 seconds.

Increases the critical hit chance of Snipe and Followthrough by 4%. Additionally increases armor penetration by 10%.

Increases the critical hit chance of Snipe and Followthrough by 4%. Additionally increases armor penetration by 10%.

Deals kinetic damage to the primary target and kinetic damage to up to 7 standard or weak enemies within 5 meters of the primary target. If the primary target is a standard or weak enemy, it is knocked to the ground.

Deals kinetic damage to the primary target and kinetic damage to up to 7 standard or weak enemies within 5 meters of the primary target. If the primary target is a standard or weak enemy, it is knocked to the ground.

While in cover, ranged defense is increased by 20%, you cannot be leapt to or pulled, and you are immune to interrupts and ability activation pushback.

While in cover, ranged defense is increased by 20%, you cannot be leapt to or pulled, and you are immune to interrupts and ability activation pushback.

Sprays a wave of bolts over the target area, dealing weapon damage and spending 45 energy over the duration to up to 8 targets within 8 meters. Can only be used from cover.

Sprays a wave of bolts over the target area, dealing weapon damage and spending 45 energy over the duration to up to 8 targets within 8 meters. Can only be used from cover.

Fires a dart at the target that deals internal poison damage over 18 seconds.

Fires a dart at the target that deals internal poison damage over 18 seconds.

Purges incapacitating and movement-impairing effects.

If you are stunned and can’t move, you can use this ability to unstun yourself.

Fires a shot that deals weapon damage and immobilizes the target for 5 seconds. Direct damage dealt after 2 seconds ends the effect prematurely.

Fires a shot that deals weapon damage and immobilizes the target for 5 seconds. Direct damage dealt after 2 seconds ends the effect prematurely.

Summons a droid that helps you recover 50 energy over 3 seconds.

Summons a droid that helps you recover 50 energy over 3 seconds.

Increases the range of Quick Shot, Flash Grenade, and Distraction to 30 meters, and additionally increases the range of all blaster, grenade, and charge attacks by 5 meters. In addition, Corrosive Dart marks its target for 45 seconds. Marked targets take 5% more damage from ranged weapon attacks.

Increases the range of Quick Shot, Flash Grenade, and Distraction to 30 meters, and additionally increases the range of all blaster, grenade, and charge attacks by 5 meters. In addition, Corrosive Dart marks its target for 45 seconds. Marked targets take 5% more damage from ranged weapon attacks.

Increases the critical hit chance of your next Ambush by 100%. This ability has two charges.

Increases the critical hit chance of your next Ambush by 100%. This ability has two charges.

Fires a high-powered shot that deals weapon damage. Ambush ignores 20% of the targets armor.

Fires a high-powered shot that deals weapon damage. Ambush ignores 20% of the targets armor.

Increases the energy regeneration rate by 1 per second while in cover.

Increases the energy regeneration rate by 1 per second while in cover.

Laze Target gets two charges.

Laze Target gets two charges.

Interrupts the target's current action and prevents that ability from being used for 4 seconds.

Every class has an interrupt ability that allows them to interrupt an enemy while they are casting. Enemy castbars that fill up from left to right are called casts and can be interrupted and the ability will be stopped, but castbars that go from right to left deal damage the entire time they are channeling. Using your interrupt in combat is very useful as it can prevent the enemy from damaging you, or sometimes even prevent them from stunning you or knocking you back!

Activates countermeasures, instantly lowering your threat by a moderate amount.

Your detaunt ability will cause enemies to lose interest in your character, at least for a short time. This is most useful if you're getting attacked during group fights when your tank is supposed to be taking the damage, or when your companion is set to tank.

Upon entering cover, your stealth detection level begins to increase gradually, reaching up to 30 additional levels of stealth detection over the following 30 seconds. This effect ends when you leave cover.

Upon entering cover, your stealth detection level begins to increase gradually, reaching up to 30 additional levels of stealth detection over the following 30 seconds. This effect ends when you leave cover.

Snipe zeroes in your sights, reducing the activating time of your next Ambush by 0.25 seconds. Stacks up to 2 times.

Snipe zeroes in your sights, reducing the activating time of your next Ambush by 0.25 seconds. Stacks up to 2 times.

Ambush ignores 20% of the target's armor.

Ambush ignores 20% of the target's armor.

Ambush deals splash damage to nearby targets and slows them by 30% for 6 seconds.

Ambush deals splash damage to nearby targets and slows them by 30% for 6 seconds.

Solo Many-Enemy Suggestion: Excellent addition of cleave to your hard hitting abilities will make pulls of 3+ targets much better.

The energy cost of Ambush is reduced by 5. Each use of Ambush grants Relentless Ambush, lowering the cooldown of your next Ambush by 1.5 seconds. Stacks up to 3 times.

The energy cost of Ambush is reduced by 5. Each use of Ambush grants Relentless Ambush, lowering the cooldown of your next Ambush by 1.5 seconds. Stacks up to 3 times.

General Suggestion: Marksmanship Snipers probably have the most difficulty juggling their energy levels while doing damage; a choice to reduce costs is very helpful.

Increases the critical hit damage of Ambush by 20%. Killing a target with an Ambush critical hit resets the cooldown of Laze Target and Ambush.

Increases the critical hit damage of Ambush by 20%. Killing a target with an Ambush critical hit resets the cooldown of Laze Target and Ambush.

Increases maximum energy by 10.

Increases maximum energy by 10.

Countermeasures grants Evasive Maneuvers, increasing your chance to dodge melee and ranged attacks by 200% and reducing the damage you take from Force and Tech attacks by 75% for 3 seconds. Additionally, activating Countermeasures resets the cooldown of Covered Escape.

Countermeasures grants Evasive Maneuvers, increasing your chance to dodge melee and ranged attacks by 200% and reducing the damage you take from Force and Tech attacks by 75% for 3 seconds. Additionally, activating Countermeasures resets the cooldown of Covered Escape.

Hurl a virbroknife with debilitating precision, dealing energy damage and stunning the target for 4 seconds and allowing your next Takedown to be used regardless of the target's remaining health and deal 15% additional damage. Requires dual blasters.

You can use your short stun on weaker enemies to stop them from running around, from casting abilities, to stop them from damaging you, or just to keep them out of the fight in general.

The critical hit damage of Snipe is increased by 20%. Dealing damage to a target with Snipe inflicts trauma for 10 seconds, reducing all healing the target receives by 20%.

The critical hit damage of Snipe is increased by 20%. Dealing damage to a target with Snipe inflicts trauma for 10 seconds, reducing all healing the target receives by 20%.

General Suggestion: Unfortunately at level 27 a damage increase is competing against a better defensive passive and an optional stun, and as a DPS-only combat style, you should really be taking the DPS increase. If you really need a 4 second stun for something, Maim is there, but ultimately, take Shatter Snipe by default.

Detonates an emergency charge that knocks all nearby targets back several meters and immobilizes them for 5 seconds. Damage dealt after 2 seconds ends the effect prematurely. Only usable in cover.

Pushes enemies back.

Reduces the accuracy by 45% and exposes from cover of up to 8 enemies within 8 meters for 6 seconds. Cannot be used on Operation Bosses.

Reduces the accuracy by 45% and exposes from cover of up to 8 enemies within 8 meters for 6 seconds. Cannot be used on Operation Bosses.

Entrenches you into cover, becoming immune to all controlling effects and reducing all area effect damage taken by 60%. Only grants protection while in cover. Lasts 20 seconds.

Entrenches you into cover, becoming immune to all controlling effects and reducing all area effect damage taken by 60%. Only grants protection while in cover. Lasts 20 seconds.

Fires a number of blasts that deal weapon damage and sunder the target for 45 seconds. Sundered targets have their armor rating reduced by 20%. Consumes 20 energy over the duration of the channel. Replaces Series of Shots.

Fires a number of blasts that deal weapon damage and sunder the target for 45 seconds. Sundered targets have their armor rating reduced by 20%. Consumes 20 energy over the duration of the channel. Replaces Series of Shots.

Targets affected by your Diversion continue to be affected for 3 seconds after leaving the area of effect.

Targets affected by your Diversion continue to be affected for 3 seconds after leaving the area of effect.

Unleashes a series of shots that deals weapon damage and uses 20 energy over the duration.

Unleashes a series of shots that deals weapon damage and uses 20 energy over the duration.

Increases the damage dealt by Snipe, Lethal Shot, Series of Shots, and Penetrating Blasts by 5%.

Increases the damage dealt by Snipe, Lethal Shot, Series of Shots, and Penetrating Blasts by 5%.

Increases the armor penetration of Penetrating Blasts by 20% and Penetrating Blasts now immobilizes targets for the duration of the channel.

Increases the armor penetration of Penetrating Blasts by 20% and Penetrating Blasts now immobilizes targets for the duration of the channel.

Increases the energy cost of Penetrating Blasts by 10 energy and increases its critical hit damage and critical hit chance by 20%.

Increases the energy cost of Penetrating Blasts by 10 energy and increases its critical hit damage and critical hit chance by 20%.

General Suggestion: A good reason why marksmanship's rotation has an emphasis on energy conservation; this choice that makes it harder also does great damage. This is by far the best damage increase on the level 39 tier, but if you find yourself unable to keep your energy levels up, Penetrating Rounds is also free damage with no energy drawback.

Whenever Penetrating Blasts deals damage, the cooldown of Laze Target is reduced by 2 seconds.

Whenever Penetrating Blasts deals damage, the cooldown of Laze Target is reduced by 2 seconds.

Critically hitting with a weapon attack restores 2 energy.

Critically hitting with a weapon attack restores 2 energy.

Increases ranged and tech accuracy by 30% and armor penetration by 15% for 10 seconds and immediately restores 15 energy. In addition, Target Acquired generates one charge of Laze Target.

Increases ranged and tech accuracy by 30% and armor penetration by 15% for 10 seconds and immediately restores 15 energy. In addition, Target Acquired generates one charge of Laze Target.

Dealing damage has a 50% chance to reduce Laze Target's cooldown by 2 seconds.

Dealing damage has a 50% chance to reduce Laze Target's cooldown by 2 seconds.

General Suggestion: This choice will result in the biggest increase to your damage over longer fights where multiple uses of Laze Target are possible, but if you find yourself forgetting to use Laze Target or running out of energy too much, Ballistic Redistribution can help for less damage.

Snipe grants Honed Shots, increasing the critical hit chance and damage done by Snipe by 3% for 20 seconds. Stacks up to 3 times.

Snipe grants Honed Shots, increasing the critical hit chance and damage done by Snipe by 3% for 20 seconds. Stacks up to 3 times.

Projects a defense field around yourself for up to 10 seconds, which absorbs damage. Does not break stealth.

Projects a defense field around yourself for up to 10 seconds, which absorbs damage. Does not break stealth.

Fires a well-controlled follow-up shot at the target that deals weapon damage. Only usable within the 5 seconds immediately following a Snipe, Ambush, Takedown, or a complete Penetrating Blasts.

Fires a well-controlled follow-up shot at the target that deals weapon damage. Only usable within the 5 seconds immediately following a Snipe, Ambush, Takedown, or a complete Penetrating Blasts.

Entering cover makes the next Snipe or Lethal Shot activate instantly. This effect cannot occur more than once every 6 seconds.

Entering cover makes the next Snipe or Lethal Shot activate instantly. This effect cannot occur more than once every 6 seconds.

Entering cover grants 3 charges of Ballistic Dampers. Each charge absorbs 30% of the damage dealt by incoming attacks. This effect cannot occur more than once every 1.5 seconds. Ballistic Dampers can only be gained once every 6 seconds.

Entering cover grants 3 charges of Ballistic Dampers. Each charge absorbs 30% of the damage dealt by incoming attacks. This effect cannot occur more than once every 1.5 seconds. Ballistic Dampers can only be gained once every 6 seconds.

General Suggestion: Ballistic Dampers is a great method of reducing damage done to your squishy sniper in any content! 30% less damage taken for the next few hits every time you enter cover will immediately show noticeable tankiness as soon as you reach this choice at 51. Always be taking cover!

Reduces the cooldown of Entrench by 15 seconds and Cover Pulse knocks targets back an additional 5 meters.

Reduces the cooldown of Entrench by 15 seconds and Cover Pulse knocks targets back an additional 5 meters.

Firing Snipe twice in a row, firing Takedown or Ambush once, or completing a Penetrating Blasts now finishes the cooldown on Followthrough.

Firing Snipe twice in a row, firing Takedown or Ambush once, or completing a Penetrating Blasts now finishes the cooldown on Followthrough.

Roll forward 18 meters, purging movement-impairing effects and landing crouched behind cover. While rolling, your chance to dodge attacks is increased by 100%.

Roll forward 18 meters, purging movement-impairing effects and landing crouched behind cover. While rolling, your chance to dodge attacks is increased by 100%.

Immediately finishes the cooldown of Penetrating Blasts, increases base energy regeneration by 2 per second, and increases alacrity by 10%. Lasts 15 seconds.

Immediately finishes the cooldown of Penetrating Blasts, increases base energy regeneration by 2 per second, and increases alacrity by 10%. Lasts 15 seconds.

Followthrough reduces the energy cost of your next two Snipes by 5.

Followthrough reduces the energy cost of your next two Snipes by 5.

Countermeasures purges all movement-impairing effects when activated and grants Reestablish Range, increasing your movement speed by 75% for 6 seconds. Additionally, the final shot of Series of Shots and Penetrating Blasts knocks back the target if they are within 10 meters.

Countermeasures purges all movement-impairing effects when activated and grants Reestablish Range, increasing your movement speed by 75% for 6 seconds. Additionally, the final shot of Series of Shots and Penetrating Blasts knocks back the target if they are within 10 meters.

Solo Single-Enemy Suggestion: Adding a 75% movement speed increase and knockback to your detaunt is great because not only can you get out of danger faster in group content where you may accidentally get aggro, it also gives you a free sprint button in solo content! You may also consider a 25% increase to suppressive fire: unlike the other two Snipers, Marksmans will use this to AoE often.

Solo Many-Enemy Suggestion: Adding a 75% movement speed increase and knockback to your detaunt is great because not only can you get out of danger faster in group content where you may accidentally get aggro, it also gives you a free sprint button in solo content! You may also consider a 25% increase to suppressive fire: unlike the other two Snipers, Marksmans will use this to AoE often.

Increases the damage dealt by Suppressive Fire by 25%.

Increases the damage dealt by Suppressive Fire by 25%.

Flashpoint Suggestion: Unlike the other two snipers, Marksmanship has fewer tools for dealing AoE damage: in any fight that has 3+ targets to hit, it's suggested to take this for a big boost.

Operation Suggestion: Unlike the other two snipers, Marksmanship has fewer tools for dealing AoE damage: in any fight that has 3+ targets to hit, it's suggested to take this for a big boost.

Reduces the cooldown of Meticulous Preparation by 45 seconds and increases your damage reduction by 15% for 15 seconds after activating Meticulous Preparation.

Reduces the cooldown of Meticulous Preparation by 45 seconds and increases your damage reduction by 15% for 15 seconds after activating Meticulous Preparation.

Immediately finishes the active cooldowns on Countermeasures, Shield Probe, Cover Pulse, and Entrench.

Immediately finishes the active cooldowns on Countermeasures, Shield Probe, Cover Pulse, and Entrench.

Activating the ability marks your current location for 10 minutes. When this ability is activated again, if you are within 60 meters of the marked location, you instantly return to the marked location. Hololocate goes on cooldown for 120 seconds when use to return to the marked location.

Activating the ability marks your current location for 10 minutes. When this ability is activated again, if you are within 60 meters of the marked location, you instantly return to the marked location. Hololocate goes on cooldown for 120 seconds when use to return to the marked location.

Calls in support from orbiting warships, dealing elemental damage over 9 seconds to up to 8 enemies within 8 meters of the targeted area. Additionally, standard and weak enemies are knocked down by the blasts.

Calls in support from orbiting warships, dealing elemental damage over 9 seconds to up to 8 enemies within 8 meters of the targeted area. Additionally, standard and weak enemies are knocked down by the blasts.

Solo Single-Enemy Suggestion: Orbital Strike is a great source of free damage even in single target scenarios if you drop it on the enemy right at the beginning of a fight. Open up with this if you take it! If you find you really dont need an extra Area Attack or maybe really need some group utility, Ballistic Shield is a very strong group-wide defensive that should be taken whenever needed.

Solo Many-Enemy Suggestion: Orbital Strike is a great source of free damage even in single target scenarios if you drop it on the enemy right at the beginning of a fight. Open up with this if you take it! If you find you really dont need an extra Area Attack or maybe really need some group utility, Ballistic Shield is a very strong group-wide defensive that should be taken whenever needed.

Flashpoint Suggestion: Orbital Strike is a great source of free damage even in single target scenarios if you drop it on the enemy right at the beginning of a fight. Open up with this if you take it! If you find you really dont need an extra Area Attack or maybe really need some group utility, Ballistic Shield is a very strong group-wide defensive that should be taken whenever needed.

Deploys a Ballistic Shield that spans 10 meters around you, reducing the damage taken by all allies that remain inside by 20%. Lasts 25 seconds.

Deploys a Ballistic Shield that spans 10 meters around you, reducing the damage taken by all allies that remain inside by 20%. Lasts 25 seconds.

Operation Suggestion: Ballistic Shield is a very strong group-wide defensive that should be taken whenever needed. If you find that you need a little more damage, you could take Orbital Strike instead and have it do some extra damage over time at the beginning of a fight.

Increases the duration of Entrench by 3 seconds. In addition, when you enter cover after using Covered Escape, you gain Entrench for the first 3 seconds.

Increases the duration of Entrench by 3 seconds. In addition, when you enter cover after using Covered Escape, you gain Entrench for the first 3 seconds.

Increases the amount of damage absorbed by Shield Probe by 30%. In addition, when taking damage while Entrench is active the cooldown on Meticulous Preperation is reduced by 2 seconds. This effect can only occur once every 3 seconds.

Increases the amount of damage absorbed by Shield Probe by 30%. In addition, when taking damage while Entrench is active the cooldown on Meticulous Preperation is reduced by 2 seconds. This effect can only occur once every 3 seconds.

Solo Single-Enemy Suggestion: Augmented Shields takes the strongest defensive that snipers have and makes it better! This should be the default choice for any sniper taking damage.

Solo Many-Enemy Suggestion: Augmented Shields takes the strongest defensive that snipers have and makes it better! This should be the default choice for any sniper taking damage.

You gain 4 charges of Calculated Pursuit upon exiting cover, which allow Snipe and Lethal Shot to be activated while moving. Each use of Snipe or Lethal Shot consumes 1 charge, and consumption of the first charge triggers a 20 second rate-limit on this skill. This effect lasts up to 15 seconds, but reentering cover removes the effect prematurely.

You gain 4 charges of Calculated Pursuit upon exiting cover, which allow Snipe and Lethal Shot to be activated while moving. Each use of Snipe or Lethal Shot consumes 1 charge, and consumption of the first charge triggers a 20 second rate-limit on this skill. This effect lasts up to 15 seconds, but reentering cover removes the effect prematurely.

When Entrench ends or you leave cover while Entrench is active, you gain Seek Cover, which increases your movement speed by 50% and grants immunity to movement impairing effects. Lasts 6 seconds.

When Entrench ends or you leave cover while Entrench is active, you gain Seek Cover, which increases your movement speed by 50% and grants immunity to movement impairing effects. Lasts 6 seconds.

Flashpoint Suggestion: If you aren't taking much damage and would rather some utility over Augmented Shields' increase to reduction, calculated pursuit is a great addition of mobility for snipers that may need help dodging area attacks or standing in the right place for mechanics.

Operation Suggestion: If you aren't taking much damage and would rather some utility over Augmented Shields' increase to reduction, calculated pursuit is a great addition of mobility for snipers that may need help dodging area attacks or standing in the right place for mechanics.

Snipe grants Marksman's Finesse, increasing the armor penetration and damage dealt by your next Followthrough by 10%. Stacks up to 2 times.

Snipe grants Marksman's Finesse, increasing the armor penetration and damage dealt by your next Followthrough by 10%. Stacks up to 2 times.

Dealing damage with Ambush to a target with less than 30% health grants Finish the Job, increasing the damage of your next Takedown by 20%.

Dealing damage with Ambush to a target with less than 30% health grants Finish the Job, increasing the damage of your next Takedown by 20%.