Ranger

The Ranger is the master of the rifle and may be trained to use it in offensive and defensive capacities.

The Ranger class is focused towards operating at medium range with guns. Their signature ability is to be able to take standard shots without ending turn, allowing them to fire twice per turn baseline. Rather than a melee weapon, Rangers carry a Sawed-off shotgun as their secondary weapon. This weapon is capable of huge amounts of damage at point blank range, but has a fixed two shots and can't be reloaded.

"Infantry" type Rangers focus on raw damage output with their rifle, pumping out accurate directed fire to secure kills and set up kills for their allies, but are less effective at responding to enemy actions on their turn.

"Defender" type Rangers master overwatch fire, to the point of achieving more shots during the enemy turn than most XCOM soldiers can muster during their own turn, but sacrifice potential punch with directed fire, and can be shut down by enemies packing Shadowstep or Lightning Reflexes.

Due to their front/midline nature and tendency to seek out high quality cover front and center of an enemy force, with supporting allies close behind and assaulting allies ahead and to the sides, Rangers make excellent Officer candidates. The center branch has myriad options for defense, including the vital "Tactical Sense" perk, to help protect your Leader investment.