I have a player who wants to play a non-ratling sniper-type. Any suggestions for character creation? Use the weapons-specialist template? House-rule the ratling template? Help is appreciated.

Just offer a long las/sniper rifle to the weapon specialist. I hardly see how any of that would break what that character is. They already can take a freakin meltagun.

If you're unsure of that, pretty sure the players could build the regiment to just plain have access to long-las/sniper weapons.

The Comrade abilities are not terrible for a sniper, although slightly less amazing. If you see fit, that could most likely be switched as well.

You may want to allow them to switch the WS aptitude for Perception.

 The weapon specialist already haseasy acces to the stealth skill, add to that the Ratling Comrade advantages and you have an excellent sniper.
You might want to switch the equipment.

 Thanks for the suggestions!

What about the following changes at creation for Weapons Specialist/Sniper? Does it break the character?

Aptitudes: Substitute Perception for Weapons Skill

Starting Skills: Substitute Awareness OR Stealth for Athletics OR Survival

Talents: Substitute Deadeye Shot for Lasgun Barrage

Equipment: Substitute Long-Las OR Sniper Rifle for Flamer OR Shotgun OR Melta

Eradico Pravus said:

I'd say to not even bother with substituting. Just add more OR's, and let weapon specialists also be specialists for sniper weapons. Plus, as an added bonus, you can now have the dreaded melta sneak attack of death right from the start.

I posted an idea for a marksman specialty here, and have gotten a little bit of feedback.  Take a look, let me know what you all think.  If we can come up with something balanced and agreeable we might be able to get it thrown into the mix, or a supplement later.

-=Brother Praetus=-