So Forward Observers are a staple in my lists. They are probably the most abundant and easy to access Specialists. Further to this, they come with one of the best pieces of kit in the game - Flash Pulse. However, I find that I make pretty much 0 use of Forward Observe. Ever. From memory - I think I've attempted to Forward Observe an enemy troop only 3 or 4 times this year, and only when it was required by a Classified objective. Going 1 step further - I'm fairly certain I only attempted the check against unconscious troops. Chief issues with using Forward Observe; I don't run SML lists, and have no interest in doing so. Order efficiency. The enemy having an opportunity to fail Guts after a successful FO. Active turn only. Am I alone in this, or is this pretty much the standard for players across the board?
I've actually done it surprisingly often with the FO airborne ranger, who has an SMG. If I come on behind a multi-wound model that he can threaten with his ap ammo, I'll forward observe it first sometimes. I see it sometimes in the designated target missions, to where the datateacker will be a model with a grenade launcher and they set up the kill with a camo FO.
You still have to hit them with -6 mod with no bonus from range bands to get them targeted in the first place.
Honestly, I try FO'ing sometimes. Usually when I need to make sure a TAG dies or some other similarly hardy target. That being said... I feel people Spotlight a lot more often than they Forward Observe.
When your WIP is higher than your BS and you're really tired, sometimes you'll gamble. Or at least I will XD
It is a nice medium-range technical weapon that can get to Burst 3 when linked, so sometimes it's better than shooting. And if you succeed, it improves your next Orders.
Some of my lists are almost entirely based around FOing a target and pounding them with missiles from out of LOF Usually on more terrain-dense tables, they tend to work wonders
Want to know what would be amazing and I intend to do soon? Forward observe a target and then spec fire with a Dog Warrior. Within 8" that is a grenade hitting on 22s :P
That is indeed true, it is certainly a situational sort of thing. I did something similar a while back where I had a good vantage on a combi Alguacile who was just barely poking out with a Scout FO. Guy was part of a 5 man fireteam with two others nearby. Team was centered on a ML and HMG providing overwatch from a rooftop with the combi guys hiding on ground level. FOd the combi guy and proceeded to rain down Guided fire from my Uragan which took out the three combis. Sometimes its all about being open to these weird scenarios instead of just popping the one guy with the Scout's Ojotnik.
That's different because you wouldn't be able to use the Uragan without the FO. It's just giving a bonus to the Dog.
Never said it was the same, was more pointing out that a similar situation can be created with spec firing grenades, for example if the dog is out of line of sight against the target and I don't want to leap up. A more fitting case for the topic I had was in a game against PanO last year. FO Scout was above a Swiss Guard (out of cover from that angle) but within 8" so not good range for either of them. Had a AP HMG Tankhunter in camo still that could see the Swiss so I FOd the Swiss with my Scout which allowed my Tankhunter to take out the Swiss. Admittedly this was still lucky but it meant that the Tankhunter was firing on 9s instead of 6s.
Only for classified, unless i'm facing with a very particular situation like marking a single enemy to send some indirect templates. The problem is, if you can mark them with FO, you can also mark them with more lethal rounds since it's really easy to find a weapon with at least as much attribute (with positive rangeband compensating for technical weapon) and burst 2 or more. So instead of using at least 2 orders to hit and kill, i find it better to use only one.
Rarely. Flash Pulse ARO? Yeah, that happens more often, since it's about the only way to keep Musashi alive in FtF rolls at range. But mostly I take FOs for the cheap specialist.
