I don't think the Clipsos sniper is a waste if it doesn't start out of deployment. It's a hell of an opportunity striker. The amount of times where you can angle a link team member who you know isn't going to be active and break a link bonus is fantastic. The utility alone in that I think is worth the 26 pts and 1SWC. I however regularly play with Gao Rael, Nikoul and Clipsos sniper and don't have issues with running 3 as my solid long ranged ARO presence. The clipsos though doesn't have the staying power of a mated Gao Rael or Nikoul but it's a hell of a thing to spring on an opponent.