Is a sniper build even viable?

[RaneMokeev]

My main character (lovingly referred to as Samantha) is currently a mediocre, mid-range sort of gal.  She keeps me alive (more or less) in the DZ, and gets me through dailies quickly (more or less).  I'm thinking of a new play style, though...possibly for one of my secondary characters.  Back in the Quake days, I played a mod for Q2 set in WWII that let me be a sniper...and hoooly crap that was my jam.  Me and another player would always find each other on random servers (weren't very many to begin with) and get into all out, Enemy at the Gates-like duels (I'll find you again, Styder!).  So, naturally, I was thinking about a sniper build.

The ones I've seen look pretty decent.  Lots of headshot damage but sort of glassy considering you're not getting into the fray...but does anyone have any first hand experience with this sort of build?  Is it even viable outside of the DZ? I can see finding a ledge and picking off NPCs (or other players if that sorta thing's your bag), but beyond that?  If I'm looking for one shot, one kill, should I just build a regular glass cannon or all out tank? 

Hmm...just bored at work and thinking too much lol

 

[Big Grumper]

What would your build look like? Presumably high DPS and skill perhaps, with a lower toughness? 

This would appeal to me. I've always been a camper at heart. There's plenty of elevation in regular PvE so you might be in luck. 

 

[RaneMokeev]

I'm waiting until we get the DLC and all the gear sets before I actually start building (ie: DeadEYE). Just wondering if anyone has had any luck going with a one-shot sort of build.

I imagine if I can roll an M1A or M44 with Harmful, Brutal, and Deadly (it could happen...I've been stockpiling mats like a madman in a bunker on doomsday), combined with max crit, a pulse, and maybe an incendiary...I could possibly deliver some serious damage from afar.  

I'll start rolling some rifles and see what I come up with.

 

[Big Grumper]

I think @DeadSockPuppet was planning to have a shotty build? 

As an aside can we now roll the talents on weapons? 

 

[DeadSockPuppet]

@RaneMokeev Not sure what a sniper build would necessarily look like, but you'd really only need to roll one with two of the talents and you could recalibrate the random 3rd to get one you get.  And rolling some DMRs sounds like a good spot to start, since that would let you know what stats you need to activate your talents and what you would need on your gear. 

@Big Grumper I am planning an all shotty build on my alt.  She's a ways from being ready, but I'm not sure exactly what her ultimate setup will be, whether it will be heavy on toughness or some balance of stats.  I'll probably pick someplace to start and just go from there.