An idea for spotters for snipers

Hi list-mates,

Here is an SG2 idea based off of several discussions with people 
knowledgeable (AFAIK) and with some reading and a few historical 
pictures. 

Spotters for Snipers:

Raison D'etre: A sniper cannot be watching a target 200m+ away 
through a high powered scope, trying to line up what could be a split 
second firing opportunity, and monitoring his own area - or at least 
he takes risks of a lousy shot or having someone sneak up on him if 
he does so. Plus if he needs to fire repeatedly, it doesn't hurt to 
have someone else spotting. Hence the use (historical and probably 
future too) of spotters to accompany the sniper. 

The sniper counter no longer just represents the sniper, it 
represents a sniper and his spotter (as a hidden unit counter could 
represent a whole squad of line troops). Whereas the sniper may be 
equipped with his long arm alone for distance work, and maybe a 
sidearm or machine-carbine for close in final defence, the spotter 
may well carry either a close in assault weapon such as an 
autoshotgun or the standard rifle/GL combinations most nations favor. 
He will be armoured and equiped otherwise similar to the sniper 
including a powerful set of binocs or a spotting scope - which can 
probably see in more than just the visible spectrum. If the sniper is 
wearing a ghillie or yowie suit, so will the spotter. 

Advantages to having a Spotter: 

A sniper who does not have a spotter should be easier to surprise 
with attacks from out of his area of view. This can be represented in 
a scenario, by a referee, or perhaps using some sort of stealthy 
movement rules - he is so focused downrange, that he leaves himself 
vulnerable. A sniper with a spotter does not face this danger.

Additionally, a spotter can spot for a sniper and this can include 
making a seperate observe action to pick out a target or just calling 
where the shots fired by the sniper hit, making multi-shot 
engagements more devastating. Give snipers using spotters one 
positive shift to their firepower when they are firing. 

If the sniper is attacked, the spotter could choose to fight off the 
assailants while the sniper continues to try to get his shot. If the 
sniper did this without a spotter, he'd be an easy target (+1 shift 
to attacking units fire attacks vs. the sniper who is trying to 
ignore them and has no protection).

Further, the spotter can carry out a wounded sniper. Something that 
real folks might think about (and if operating in hostile territory, 
can watch while the sniper sleeps). 

What do you think?

Tom. 
/************************************************
Thomas Barclay
Software Specialist
Police Communications Systems
Software Kinetics Ltd.
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