Just wondering how you guys decide when to employ the Forward Observe attack. As an inexperienced player, and at a precursory glance it seems absolutely terrible. Especially when you will always have the option to flash pulse instead. Thanks
Nah, you've basically got it right. Theres only a few cases you would want one, and I don't think PanO is the place to be if you're expecting to FO someone seriously. FO is good for spec fire occasionally, but with the understanding you're very likely to lose the FO, and its very useful when you can do it not on your turn (Symbio-whichever one that is), but in general you are going to Flash Pulse.
Most players don't use it for the mere +3 BS. The most common application is to use the Targeted state + Speculative Fire to bombard with a grenade launcher or similar tool. Even then, I tend to see Spotlight or Sat Lock as more common methods for using this combination of abilities. So yes, generally speaking, players are more likely to pull the trigger from the beginning, rather than setting up Forward Observer. This is especially true for PanOceania, who tend to excel in the "shooting things" category. Edit: Ninja'd!
The biggest problem with FO is that it lacks a +3 range band. Given that you still have to deal with cover, camo, and ftf rolls, it’s not always great odds.
Well in PanO, it's hard to find a good unit for this. In Nomad, Ariadna and Haqq, yes, this is an effective way to deal with tough pieces. Pi-Well is, for example, an excellent unit to use FO: ODD to low your opponents odds, REM and Repeater so it can get MML2 and WIP 13. And since you don't need ARM or BTS roll to put in Targeted state, just winning the FtF is enough.
Yeah I rarely if ever forward observe with pano. Normally are units that can do it can probably just shoot their way through the problem. I use it more with foxtrots in usariadna. They're more expendable than say a crocman or zulu cobra.
The FO Crocman isn't a bad choice. With X-visor & TO it can get into interesting angles and FO from across the table.
Sorta, if you go outside Pan-O it makes more sense why it doesn't have a +3 band. Most troops have a better WIP than their BS stat. Take a Guilang FO, WIP 14 vs BS 11. You basically get the +3 band built into their base stat. Having shitty mcline Infantry FO'ing stuff on WIP16-17 before negative MODs doesn't seem like a good idea. Sensor bots would also be able to FO on 16s ignoring cover mods which is kinda strong
Most FO opportunities are from being behind a target that you probably won't damage much with a Combi burst.
Yes, Flash Pulse is often your ideal ARO, especially for stopping a TAG or HI that your ML or HMG cannot see. But PanO is rather low odds to Forward Observe someone. If you're trying to set up Speculative Shots, you're better off using a hacker who has the Spotlight program (which doesn't need Line of Fire, just a Repeater within 8").
Technically if your FO can into camo marker (Ariadna Foxtrots FTW!), you can Surprise Attack FO, right?
Re: Surprise Shot. Yes. And if your FO also has Sensor you can Triangulated Fire from extremely long range and potentially through a low/poor vis zone... oh wait... no you can't.... anymore :'(
