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Need some help figuring out some ideas for a unit I want to model up. So here's the plan. I'm doing a Catachan Army that is based around artillery. Basilisks, Medusae, Mortars, the whole nine. I wanted to take a Psyker Battle Squad to help me pin enemy units, but that doesn't quite fit in with the theme of it all. Then the little lightbulb came on and I figured I could make them a unit of forward observers. In the fluff for my army Soulstorm would be more along the lines of them calling in an airstrike, and Weaken Resolve would be them calling in coordinates to the artillery batteries. I figure I will use the Master of Ordinance model as the Overseer. The rest of the unit is really what I'm running out of ideas for. I figured putting camo cloaks on them, and having a model or two with vox casters, but my ideas ended there. Any ideas would be appreciated. Any clues where to get some cloaks?

Give them a range finder.

http://www.ww2incolor.com/d/321786-4/Optical+range+finder_+part+of+the+Polish+antiaircraft+gun

Cloaks I think you will have to make from green stuff or paper or cloth.

You'll want one of them set up with comms if you're going to have them act as FOs.

Vic Lamb sells nice cloaks.
http://victoriaminiatures.highwire.com/product/scout-conversion-kit w/ heads.
http://victoriaminiatures.highwire.com/product/camo-cloaks-x5 w/out heads.


She also sells a full ranger kit.

Here is my MOO with ranging and comms gear and a ruggedised wristtop interface.



What about a guy with a load of charts and a map case?

Add a map

 Jihadin wrote:
Add a map

In the grimdark sci-fi universe that is 40k... a map? really? (it'd be pure red with blood in seconds at any real 40k conflict ). Would they not have a hud with this kind of tactical data built into helmets with rangers and other useful tools and instruments built in too? rather than a loose, damagable object?

Would they not have a hud with this kind of tactical data built into helmets with rangers and other useful tools and instruments built in too? rather than a loose, damagable object?

They're armed with Lasguns.....why waste good equipment on Imperial Guard when you have much better troops. These are just Fister's and every good FIST will always look at the map to get a eight digit grid for either an airstrike or arty strike. A good FISTER will always laminate the map for the team will have rolls of lamination tape

Also forgot to mention. My first MOS in the Army was a FISTER

Some good points there hehe.
But I wouldn't say that the lasgun is used to save on 'good weapons'... its more about logistics of moving the amount of munitions required for them to carry say bolt guns to the front lines.
I wouldn't say its unreasonable for the forward observing teams to have sophisticated range finding and navigating gear like my suggested HUD system... or something else to the same effect. The troops are pretty disposable sure, but wouldn't you want your big posh and shiny tanks to actually hit their targets with the valuable shells that were so much of a pain in the ass to carry to the front lines in the first place? to the point that you wouldn't consider it a waste to throw some high tech rangers and laser painting gear at guys who do the spotting especially. (bear in mind that this technology exists today and we are talking about eh 41st millennium! some advancements will surely be made )

Edit; in argument with myself the advancements could be so far that forward observers are totaly not required and recon could be done via orbital craft or satellite and viewed on monitors within the actual tanks with no need for communication error between the tank and spotter

I second the Map, I havent been in very long but as a Fister thats the sing most useful thing we have. Because when all the fancy rangefinders and designators fail and the batteries in your special toys die all you really need is a map and a radio.

Map, radio, compass. FIRE MISSION! LC 6738 3456 adjust fire, over.