Gears of War E-Day Longshot Weapon Guide – Stats, Mods & Tips

• TL;DR: The Longshot is a COG-made bolt-action sniper rifle built for pure long-range precision.
• A clean headshot with an Active Reload active is a one-shot down on most enemies in PvP and standard campaign enemies.
• It is the Marksman class starting weapon in Horde Siege — you don’t need to grind for it.
• Other classes unlock it much later: Assault at Level 17, Breacher at Level 25, Medic at Level 30.
• There is also a special variant called Reyes’ Signature Longshot, found in the same chapter.
• Best mods are Precision Long Barrel, Forged Barrel, Full Metal Jacket, and Marksman Scope.
• Shots with the Precision Long Barrel mod pass through multiple lined-up targets.
• It is rated A-Tier — excellent in its lane, but needs a backup weapon for close range.

What Is the Longshot in Gears of War E-Day?

The Longshot is a high-caliber, single-shot, bolt-action sniper rifle. It was created by the Coalition of Ordered Governments during the Pendulum Wars and has been a staple of the franchise since the very first Gears of War. In E-Day, it returns as the go-to long-range precision weapon for anyone who wants to pick off high-value targets from a safe distance.

It is a slow, deliberate weapon. One bullet. One shot. Every trigger pull has to count. If you miss, you are sitting in a long reload cycle while enemies close the gap. But when you land that headshot — especially with a Perfect Active Reload active — nothing else in the game feels quite like it.

The Longshot also has a special variant in E-Day called Reyes’ Signature Longshot. This is found in the same chapter as the standard version and is a campaign-only variant tied to the character Lucas Reyes. It is not available in Horde Siege, but it uses the same mechanics as the base Longshot.

For the full picture on every weapon in the game, check our Gears of War E-Day all weapons list.

Longshot Weapon Type and Stats Overview

• Weapon Type: Sniper Rifle
• Range: Long range
• Reload Type: Standard Active Reload (single shot per cycle)
• Headshot: One-shot down with Perfect Active Reload in PvP and campaign
• Special Feature: Shots pass through multiple enemies with Precision Long Barrel mod
• Tier Rating: A-Tier
• Special Variant: Reyes’ Signature Longshot (campaign only)

The Longshot is a specialist weapon. It is the best option in the game for hitting dangerous, distant targets cleanly. But it is nearly useless at close range. You need a strong secondary weapon to handle anything that gets inside melee distance. That is not a weakness of the Longshot — it is just how you build around it.

Where to Find the Longshot in Campaign

In the campaign, the Longshot first becomes available in Act 2, Chapter 2: Hold the Line. This is the same chapter where you can also find Reyes’ Signature Longshot, the special campaign-only variant.

Earlier in Act 1 and Act 2, you may also pick up the Longshot from fallen Locust Drone Sniper enemies. When you spot an enemy sniper and take them down, check for a Longshot drop. Grabbing one early gives you a major damage advantage in sightline-heavy sections of the city.

Need help navigating these chapters? Read our full Act 2 walkthrough and Act 1 walkthrough for step-by-step guidance.

How to Unlock the Longshot in Horde Siege

The Longshot is the Marksman class starting weapon in Horde Siege. You have it from your very first match as a Marksman — no grinding needed. For every other class, the unlock levels are much higher:

• Marksman: Starting Loadout
• Assault: Level 17
• Breacher: Level 25
• Medic: Level 30

If you want to use the Longshot in Horde Siege without grinding, play Marksman. It is the right class for the weapon anyway, and the Pulse Drone Tactical Gear is the perfect companion to it (more on that below).

Note that Reyes’ Signature Longshot is not available in Horde Siege. It is a campaign-only weapon.

Longshot

Best Mods for the Longshot

The Longshot’s full power only comes out with the right mods. Here is the complete best mod loadout:

Precision Long Barrel

This is the most important mod for the Longshot. It increases critical damage and accuracy. More importantly, it allows shots to pass through multiple enemies lined up together. Landing a headshot that chains through two enemies is exceptional value from a single-shot weapon. This is the first mod you should equip and the last one you should ever swap out.

Forged Barrel

Increases accuracy and damage range. Extends how far the Longshot can effectively reach, which matters on large Horde Siege maps with long open sightlines. A solid supporting barrel mod that works well alongside the Precision Long Barrel.

Full Metal Jacket

This is one of the best mods in the entire game for any weapon. Landing a Perfect Active Reload grants Perfect Ammo, which means your next shot deals increased damage. On the Longshot, a Perfect Reload into a headshot is the highest single-shot damage combo in your kit. Get this mod early and practice landing those clean reloads.

Marksman Scope

A lightweight scope with 3x single magnification zoom and fast aim speed. It does not slow you down the way a heavy optic would. The zoom is exactly what you need for E-Day’s mid-to-long range engagements without making it sluggish to bring up. This is the best scope option for the Longshot.

For the full breakdown of every mod in the game, see our Gears of War E-Day all mods list. To unlock more mod slots, read our guide on how to unlock more weapon mod slots.

How to Use the Longshot Effectively

Always Use Active Reload Before Firing

The Longshot gets the biggest benefit of any weapon from a clean Active Reload. Land a Perfect Reload and your shot deals significantly more damage. Against most standard enemies in the campaign, that combination is a guaranteed one-shot kill. Against PvP opponents, it is a one-shot down. Practice the reload timing until it is second nature. The Muscle Memory armor mod widens the Active Reload window, which is a huge help on this weapon.

Find and Hold Long Sightlines

The Longshot is designed for maps and areas with open, long sightlines. In E-Day’s Kalona setting, look for wide streets, overpass sections, and elevated positions. Get into cover, scan the lane, and pick off targets before they reach your squad. The Longshot dominates these scenarios. Close-quarters streets and cramped corridors are where you switch to your secondary.

Aim for Weak Points and Heads

Every enemy has a weak point. The Longshot deals massive damage to weak points — more so than any other primary weapon. With the Precision Long Barrel mod boosting your critical hit damage, hitting those spots consistently is the fastest way to clear high-priority targets and elite enemies. In the campaign, boss encounters become much more manageable once you learn where the weak points are.

Always Have a Close-Range Backup

The Longshot is nearly useless inside close range. You must carry something effective for when enemies push up to you. The Gnasher is the natural pairing — close-range and lethal at short distance. See our Gnasher weapon guide for tips on using both in the same loadout. The Hammerburst also works well as a mid-range bridge between the Longshot and shotgun range. See our Hammerburst weapon guide for more.

Don’t Waste Shots on Low-Priority Targets

The Longshot has a slow reload and limited ammo. Every shot costs time. Do not fire at basic Drones that your squadmates can handle. Use it on dangerous targets — Drone Snipers, elite units, enemies your team is struggling to reach. Prioritise correctly and you will never feel like the Longshot lets you down.

Longshot in Horde Siege – Marksman Build

The Longshot is the heart of the Marksman class build in Horde Siege. The entire class is designed around making the most of it. Here is the full recommended setup:

• Tactical Gear: Pulse Drone with Focal Lens mod
• Primary: Longshot — Precision Long Barrel, Forged Barrel, Full Metal Jacket, Marksman Scope
• Secondary: Hammerburst or Gnasher for close range
• Armor Mod 1: Muscle Memory — wider Active Reload window, longer Perfect Ammo duration
• Armor Mod 2: Mag Triage — Perfect Reloads heal you

The Pulse Drone is the key synergy piece. Deploy the drone to tag and reveal enemies across the battlefield. Your entire squad benefits from the visibility. Then follow up immediately with Longshot headshots on the tagged targets. One headshot chaining through two lined-up enemies with the Precision Long Barrel is outstanding value per bullet. The Combat Reload mod on the Pulse Drone can also instantly grant you a Perfect Magazine the moment the drone is deployed, so your next shot is already powered up.

The Muscle Memory armor mod is especially important on the Longshot. Its single-shot reload cycle has a tighter Perfect Reload window than most weapons. Widening that window makes it much easier to chain Perfect Reloads consistently.

To get the most out of the Marksman class, keep your distance and let the Pulse Drone do the reconnaissance work. You should never be the first player into a fight. Stay back, mark enemies, and remove the biggest threats before your squad engages at close range.

Read our full guide on Gears of War E-Day all tactical gear to understand how the Pulse Drone works and which mods to run.

Longshot in PvP – Versus Mode Tips

In Versus mode, the Longshot is a long-range power weapon. It is found on the map rather than in your starting loadout. Grabbing it early gives your team a serious advantage, especially on maps with open lanes.

A headshot with an active reload active is an instant down in PvP. That is the only play style that makes the Longshot worth picking up in Versus. If you are not consistently hitting heads, the slow single-shot nature of the weapon leaves you exposed. Practice landing those headshots in campaign first.

The Longshot’s biggest PvP weakness is close-quarters maps. On tight Kalona street maps, the weapon becomes a liability. Read the map before committing to it.

For more details on character selection in multiplayer, check our full Gears of War E-Day all characters and NPCs guide and individual character guides like the Marcus Fenix character and skins guide or Dom Santiago character and skins guide.

Longshot vs Breechshot – Which Is Better?

This comparison comes up a lot. Both are precision weapons, but they fill different roles.

• The Longshot has a scope, deals higher per-shot damage, and excels at true long range. With a Perfect Active Reload, it one-shots most threats. Best for open sightlines and stationary engagements.
• The Breechshot has no scope but uses a round-by-round reload system, has a charge damage mechanic, and includes an axe for close-range executions. It is more forgiving in mid-range situations where you are constantly moving.

If you are good at landing headshots and playing from a safe distance, the Longshot is the stronger pick. If you prefer staying mobile and fighting at mid range, the Breechshot handles those situations better. Many experienced players carry both and swap depending on the encounter. Read our Gears of War E-Day Breechshot weapon guide for the full breakdown on that weapon.

How the Longshot Fits Into the Full Weapon Roster

The Longshot is the only dedicated sniper rifle in E-Day’s primary weapon roster. Every other primary sits at mid range or shorter. That makes it unique — when you need to reach out and eliminate a dangerous target at distance, no other primary weapon in the game does it better.

Here is how it fits alongside the weapons you will carry through the campaign:

• Lancer / Prototype Lancer: All-round assault rifles. Guides: Lancer MK1 guide | Prototype Lancer guide
• Gnasher: Close-range shotgun. See our Gnasher weapon guide.
• Hammerburst: Burst-fire mid-range rifle. See our Hammerburst weapon guide.
• Breechshot: Precision mid-range marksman rifle. See our Breechshot weapon guide.
• Incinerator: Area denial and fire. See our Incinerator weapon guide.
• Longshot: Long-range sniper. That is this guide.

Extra Tips – Ammo and Positioning

The Longshot can run dry quickly if you are not careful. The Deep Pockets armor mod increases reserve ammo for all your weapons and is a great addition to the Marksman build specifically for this reason. Swap to your secondary early rather than finding yourself reloading with enemies close by.

In Horde Siege, always extract from missions when you get the chance. Weapon Parts are lost if nobody on your team extracts. Parts are how you keep unlocking and upgrading mods — including the Longshot mods that make the biggest difference.

For collectibles and secondary objectives that unlock additional mod slots, see our Act 1 collectibles guide and the full list of secondary objective locations.

Where to Play Gears of War E-Day

Gears of War E-Day launched on October 6, 2026 for Xbox Series X|S and PC. You can get it here:

• Official Gears of War website
• Xbox Store – Gears of War E-Day
• Steam – Gears of War E-Day

The game is also playable through Xbox Game Pass with no extra cost to subscribers.

Frequently Asked Questions – Longshot in Gears of War E-Day