⋆ Before you go berserker on me for not recommending your favorite abilities or boost cards, please do know that this is only my opinion and it will differ from yours.



⋆ I am an amateur and this was made just for sharing my knowledge and helping new players improve their gameplay. If you would like to make an recommendation or suggestion, do it in the comments like a gentleman.

⋆ This class specializes in long-range and one-on-one combat. Specialists can use a combination of flanking and certain Ability Cards, such as Personal Shield, to effectively fight several enemies at once.



⋆ Like all units, the Specialist's class level is determined by the experience earned and time played in game with the class. Star Cards for the Specialist class can be unlocked through Skill Points, one of which is earned each time the class is leveled up. Its unique Boost Card is Stealth, which hides the Specialist on enemy radars and grants them increased melee damage. The Specialist class uses targeting rifles that are unlocked by completing their respective milestones.

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⠀"The sniper configuration of the modular A280-CFE pairs precision at longer ranges together ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀with a burst option for greater effectiveness at medium range."


⋆ The A280-CFE is essentially an accurized version of the A280 and A280C blasters that has been outfitted to work as a marksman's rifle. Following in the same vein as the EE-3 and EE-4 blasters from the first game, it has the ability to be modified to function in a burst-fire mode.

⋆ Being built around the chassis and frame of the A280C, the A280-CFE possesses a comparable damage profile, killing in around 4-8 shots depending on range and as such, with the modification, it requires between two to three full bursts to connect in order to score a kill, depending on range and the target's class, and is capable of firing off a total of five bursts before overheating (with the 3-round burst modification active).

⋆ Compared to the other sniper rifles, the A280-CFE provides faster follow-up shots and a greater cooling power at the cost of having less lethality for each individual shot. This makes it a somewhat more spammy weapon than some of the other alternative blasters since it requires more shots to kill but the A280-CFE's greater-than-average rate of fire makes it more capable at closer ranges compared to its competitors. This makes it a better weapon to carry in hostile environments and in situations where the player is at a greater risk of running into a close-range gunfight, a situation the A280-CFE is more capable of handling than its alternatives, thanks to its decent hipfire spread and faster fire rate.

⋆ It comes with three type of modifications:

• Dual Zoom: Adds second zoom to the weapon
  
  
• Burst Mode: Enables a three-blast burst mode with each pull of the trigger
  
  
• Ion Shot: Increased damage to vehicles, turrets, and shields; decreased damage to infantry and heroes

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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀"Sleek and inexpensive in design, the IQA-11 was the weapon of choice among ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀mercenaries and bounty hunters seeking reliability over longer ranges."


⋆ The IQA-11 is a powerful gun with the capability of killing most of the default classes with two headshots. Avoid close range environments with the IQA-11 and if you do find yourself in an undesirable situation at close range, switch to your EE-4 and take care of targets that get too close for comfort. Also, always make use of your Thermal Binoculars to set up traps and line up shots to be the most effective sniper on your team.

⋆ The IQA-11 is a very powerful sniper rifle. With the IQA-11's high damage, it is able to kill all the default trooper classes in two headshots. It's best to advise to get into a comfortable sniper position and take advantage of your Thermal Binoculars and lead your targets into a trap. The IQA-11 performs well against default sniper rifles, as well as the A280-CFE. The number of shots required three bodyshots or two headshots.

⋆ Using this blaster, it is likely you will be outmatched at close range. Avoid staying at ground level and avoid close range. You won't do much good in the open. One sniper rifle that can outmatch the IQA-11 in a sniper battle is the NT-242 which is capable of one-shot headshots on all default classes.

⋆ It comes with three type of modifications:

• Dual Zoom: Adds second zoom to the weapon
  
  
• Bolt Speed: Increases projectile speed from 1600 to 10,000 meters/sec
  
  
• Improved Cooling: Improved valve system that greatly reduces the time before the blaster begins cooling down.

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⠀⠀⠀⠀"As the heaviest longblaster, and considered a tank buster by many, the NT-242 is powerful ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀at range and its disruptor shot can take on enemy vehicles."


⋆ The NT-242 is the most powerful sniper rifle in the game in terms of damage dealt per shot. It can kill any enemy default class in one headshot or two body shots. Headshots are also capable of dealing major damage to enemy heroes, with only three headshots being enough to defeat some of the weaker heroes and leave other heavily injured. This high damage is counterbalanced by high recoil and a major overheat issue as the user may only fire 3 shots before the weapon overheats, forcing the player to be accurate and avoid misses as follow-up shots are slow to pull off and overheat the weapon quickly. The Cooling Cell modification can help remedy this a little, as it allows the weapon to fire one additional shot before overheating, for a total of 4 shots before a cooldown cycle is needed.

⋆ The Disruptor Shot modification, on the other hand, can be used to turn the NT-242 into a rather capable anti-vehicle weapon as it increases damage dealt to enemy vehicles which, on the NT-242, is quite noticeable due to the already high base damage. The downside of the modification this is that damage dealt against infantry is reduced. However, on CO-OP Missions, it can kill two AI's at once if the shot is accurate.

⋆ It comes with three type of modifications:

• Dual Zoom: Adds second zoom to the weapon
  
  
• Improved Cooling: Improved valve system that greatly reduces the time before the blaster begins cooling down.
  
  
• Disruptor Shot: Increased damage to vehicles, turrets, and shields; decreased damage to infantry and heroes. Applies explosion damage.

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⠀⠀"While appearing crude when compared to more sophisticated blasters, the Cycler Rifle was a ⠀⠀⠀⠀versatile and durable weapon popular among Tusken Raiders native to Tatooine.


⋆ The second game's Cycler Rifle loses its distinctive ability to penetrate shields and can only be fired three times before overheating. It also suffers from high recoil, which can be rectified with Reduced Recoil mod. The Cycler Rifle can 2-shot body kill most 150 HP classes (specialist, assault and officer class) unlike 200 HP (heavy class or above). The Cycler Rifle is more forgiving and versatile version of the NT-242 as you're mostly aiming for body-shots with this weapon and it has much higher fire-rate to compensate for the slight lack of power meaning the Cycler rifle fires fairly fast compared to other Specialist primary weapons.

⋆ It comes with three type of modifications:

• Improved Zoom: Macroscope that can toggle between two magnification levels while zooming.
  
  
• Reduced Recoil: Reinforced barrel extension that absorbs much of the recoil with each blast.
  
  Improved Cooling: Improved valve system that greatly reduces the time before the blaster begins cooling down.

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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀   "When you defeat an enemy with a headshot, your weapon heat will be reset and your ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀weapon will produce less heat until you overheat next time."


⋆ Marksman is a card useful to players who can score consistent headshots. It allows for both efficient, fast-paced combat and impressive Specialist killstreaks, particularly when paired with the NT-242.

⋆ The card can also be used by the Heavy class in order to overcome the long cooldowns that the Heavy weapons generally have. The weapon will be instantly cooled and will allow the Heavy to continue its barrage of blaster fire at a reduced buildup.
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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀   "Your health regeneration delay is shorter than normal.


⋆ Stealth is a Boost Card unique to the Specialist class that unlocks when the class reaches level 2. Aptly named, Stealth keeps players hidden from enemy radars, even upon the firing of their weapon, while also giving players increased melee damage.

⋆ Stealth's radar concealment allows Specialists to remain well hidden whilst sniping. Coupled with the increased melee damage, players are also given a chance to defend themselves from approaching enemies. Carrying out quick and aggressive flanks is made all the more easy with this card and the combination of Personal Shield and Stealth remains a viable tactic for players.⠀


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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀   "You remain hidden from enemy scanners when firing your weapon, and you deal ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀increased melee damage."


⋆ Survivalist is the optimal card for players who enjoy fast-paced combat and, after taking damage, want to get back into the action as quickly as possible. It can be especially useful for players when using Vanguard or Infiltration and is ideal for situations involving choke points.

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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀   "Creates a shield bubble surrounding you and blocking damage from all ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀directions. You cannot fire your weapon while the shield is active."


⋆ Though it protects you from blaster fire, it also doesn't allow you to shoot out. Weapons like the Cycler Rifle also count. Pressing the activation button while the Personal Shield is active will turn it off, and force you to wait until the card can be used again.

⋆ One thing to watch out for is Ion modifications on weapons and grenades, as they do increased damage to shields. Players can effectively counter the shield with these in addition to melee, which they may use against you.


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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀   "An improved Shock Grenade that has a longer duration and radius."


⋆ Improved Shock Grenade can be unlocked for 1 Skill Point starting when the Specialist class has been leveled up to Level 2.

⋆ This grenade slows down enemies who were hit with it. They are paralyzed for 5 seconds but they can still shoot. An electric field stays on ground for few seconds and deals a small amount of damage to players who step on it. This ability isn't very good.

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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀   "A mine with a laser tripwire. Detonates when an enemy soldier crosses the ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀tripwire."


⋆ The trip mine is very useful for securing rooms and objectives. It is best used in doorways the enemy is likely to go through. The mine is still effective in very wide doorways, as it has a very long explosion length. Players however can crouch under it.

⋆ There are two ways to detonate a trip mine. The conventional way is for an enemy to walk through the laser, which activates it and kills the enemy. A lesser known strategy is to place it where you have line of sight and to manually detonate it by shooting it. It is recommended to have a decently accurate gun, because it wouldn't be good if the explosion you were counting on to save, never goes off.

⋆ A good tactic for placement of the mine is to crouch and place the mine as low as possible. This way, your enemy is less likely to see it. You can also place it around a corner, killing any naive soldier who isn't careful enough to check corners.

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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ "Focuses on genuine sniper role and allows long range domination"

⋆ Stay back on the battlefield and play the main role of a sniper one.

• Marksman: When you defeat an enemy with a headshot, your weapon heat will be reset and your weapon will produce less heat until you overheat next time.
  
  
• Stealth: You remain hidden from enemy scanners when firing your weapon, and you deal increased melee damage.
  
  
• Survivalist: Your health regeneration delay is shorter than normal.

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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀   "Focuses on playing the objective"


⋆ For those who love playing the objective and helping in any way your team to win.

• Scramble Infiltration: An improved version of Infiltration that marks enemies for your allies and scrambles all enemy scanners in range.
  
  
• Trip Mine: A mine with a laser tripwire. Detonates when an enemy soldier crosses the tripwire. or Personal Shield: Creates a shield bubble surrounding you and blocking damage from all directions. You cannot fire your weapon while the shield is active or Survivalist: Your health regeneration delay is shorter than normal.
  
  
• Bodyguard: It only activates at critical health which is 30% or less. For the Heavy that's 60 health and everyone else it's 45. I'm not sure what the damage reduction that you receive is, but when you're that low on health even a 50% reduction won't do much to help save your life. It will not be granting Explosive damage reduction anymore. The Bodyguard Star Card has been redesigned to give normal damage reduction while you are at critical health (below 30%).
  
  ⠀⠀After recent changes, the card has become inferior option for some, meaning you might want ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀to experiment with something different in this slot.

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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀   "Focuses on earning battlepoints as fast as possible"

⋆ If you are trying to get first to a certain vehicle or heroes, or even save points until the end of the game when the match is at it's peaking point.

• Bounty Hunter: Gain Battle Points at an increased rate.
  
  
• Improved Shock Grenade: An improved Shock Grenade that has a longer duration and radius.
  
  
• Improved Thermal Binoculars: An improved version of the Thermal Binoculars that increases the duration an enemy is spotted.

⋆ I strongly encourage you to try every ability, weapon and boost cars for yourself. Not only will you enjoy the variety that is presented, but also have fun while doing so. Finally, by experimenting with different loadouts you will find out for yourself the most effective one that suits your playstyle and ultimately the loadout that will become your favorite.

⋆ I hope this guide helped you in choosing your starting loadout. The goal was to give you basic guidelines and knowledge to create your own. I made sure it looked organized, simple and  easy to read and understand.

⋆ If you are like me, who likes to play good video games and not get lied to by developers, publishers and community (fanboys and hype train) to waste money on bad games, DLCs, microtransactions and loot boxes, then consider joining my Steam group.

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