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So random idea. What if mortar teams could be like missile launchers, and choose different types of mortar rounds. Like smoke rounds same template and firing rules as normal rounds,
except you can target friendly units, with same effects as vehicle mounted smoke launchers. Cost maybe 3 points? Also maybe a flare round for night fighting, like 2 points? Or like CS\CN gas or color smoke used to mark a target, it could decrease d6 scatter for other weapons that turn, like the MoO. The guard should get more flexibility options. Got the idea working with some 11C's a year ago in Italy.

What do ya'll think?

Tango Mike,
Austin

I like the idea more that they could be used as support weapons for the unit they're embedded in.

For instance, a HWT of mortars who fired at a target 18" from a box caster in it's platoon will not scatter or some such.

That and Obsec might be enough to justify.

Honestly it'd be cool and one of the types of things you may have seen back in GWs sandbox days. I would allow it in my games as long as you've played it before and seen if there wasn't something unexpected about it that made it op.

I say give them two shots each on top of any other rules. Morters have a pretty high rate of fire in real life.

HoundsofDemos wrote:
I say give them two shots each on top of any other rules. Morters have a pretty high rate of fire in real life.

Yeah, I've often felt that Mortars (and grenade launchers) should simply be higher rate of fire. There's no need to get overly fiddly, but simply making them Heavy 2 would allow you to really put hits on a unit.

What if mortars came with flak shells? So that they have anti air capacity and function as a decent multi role heavy weapon team.

I had this idea for HWT in general and it could help improve Mortars by extent.

I think an HWT model with either a small points upgrade (or not) could increase its personal Cover save by 1 when in cover.

Or they could work similar to the Onagers invul save shield thing. Cluster a squad of 3 together and while in cover (like say a ruin, bunker, fortification, etc) they increase the cover save per unit.

Would make them survive a lot longer and maybe, just maybe work.

This more applies to Imperial Guard Heavy Weapons Teams in general, but I've always wondered if it would be worth giving Heavy Weapons Squads (only the squads, not heavy weapons teams in infantry squads) some sort of "Entrenched" cover save, since they are nearly always depicted as part of a defensive line.

Also, I do like your idea of multiple kinds of ammunition, seems very appropriate and could be really cool.

Making the Mortars Heavy 2 and Shred would definitely add something to them. Allowing hem to fire accurately if the target is within 18" of a unit with a Voxcaster is also a good idea.