Here's an answer: use Logbook units like legacy characters. An example would be Spotpass Jamke since he is essentially a male Avatar with Strength Asset and Skill Flaw (max stat cap mods of +3 Str, -1 Skl and +1 Def) and comes with Galeforce. Since he is a male legacy unit, he can reclass to learn other skills. One such skill he can learn is Counter, which is rather troll on a Sniper. And of course, he can pick up other skills like Armsthrift, Bowbreaker, Pavise/Aegis, Vantage, etc.