Forward Observer

This is the skill of being a “spotter”
for artillery. It includes locating tar-
gets (with map and compass at TL6-,
global positioning systems and satel-
lite imagery at TL7+), marking targets
(using smoke, a laser designator, etc.),
matching ordnance to target for best
effect, and calling in corrections to
any fire you personally observe.
Failure means the ordnance miss-
es the target; critical failures result in
severe “collateral damage” or “friend-
ly fire” incidents. The very worst crit-
ical failures (GM’s decision) drop the
ordnance on your position!
At higher tech levels, Forward
Observer is less about observing tar-
gets and more about operating spe-
cialized technology such as drones,
GPS, and laser designators. To
remotely pilot a drone or use a laser
designator to direct “smart” muni-
tions onto a target, make a DX-based
skill roll. At TL7+, Forward Observer
defaults to Electronics Operation
(any)-5.
Modifiers: Equipment modifiers
(p. 345); -2 if you are unfamiliar with
the artillery (e.g., aircraft bombs when
you are used to naval guns); -3 per 500
yards between you and the target – but
divide the actual range by the magnifi-
cation of any vision aid first.