Phero-Booster vs Designate Antenna (The Grid)

It would seem not, since there’s no way to dial back the Phero-Booster and only Mark/Designate the target. You’d stand a strong chance of destroying it rather than just Designating it. In addition, you’re not using any of the skills explicitly laid out as says to Designate the Antenna.

 

No, the rule specifies the Forward Observer skill, not putting the antenna into the targeted state.

You also couldn't use Spotlight for the same reason.

 

Forward Observer can be substituted for that skill because the mission skill description says so. If the goal was “any skill that can put the target in such-and-such-a-state”, it would be described as such.

There are hacker-specific mission skills that aren’t hacking and therefore can’t be done through repeaters, essentially just to make a hacker necessary. This is the same sort of situation—if you don’t have a forward observer, that part of the mission is more difficult.

 

I think, pherobooster should work (marking the antenna), because from description of pheromonic ammunition:
The effective use of this ammunition is considered a successful Forward Observer Attack in regards to accomplishing Objectives in missions or scenarios.

 

I came here to say that you can't because Forward Observe is a skill, while Pherobooster is weapon that you use to attack.
But I had forgotten about that bullet point.

Now I think that yes, you can use the Pherobooster (using the non-lethal mode if you don't want to destroy it).

 

I think it's doubtful, due to the wording of The Grid.

Pheromonic:

The effective use of this ammunition is considered a successful Forward Observer Attack in regards to accomplishing Objectives in missions or scenarios.​

The Grid:

The Designate Antenna Skill can be replaced by the Forward Observer Special Skill for troops that have it, applying their rules and requirements to obtain the same effect on this mission.
​

My emphasis. So as-written, Phero-boosters work for Classifieds that require successful Forward Observer attacks (HVT Designation, Telemetry), but not for The Grid because that requires an actual trooper with Forward Observer.

Note that ARM/BTS Rolls are irrelevant because the Antennas are Scenery items so can only be damaged by Anti-materiel weapons. Also, stun mode with a Phero-booster loads Stun ammo not Pheromonic ammo, so none of the rules for Pheromonic ammo apply - you don't get to both Stun and Target someone!


EDIT - actually, not having the Anti-materiel Trait can be read as making it impossible to attack the item in the first place, which rules out Phero-boosters twice. From the Scenery Structure rules:

Weapons and Ammunition with the Anti-materiel trait are the only means of attacking Scenery Structures.​

 

Thanks for the aclarations.