History Main / TargetSpotter

* In ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberiumWars'', the GDI Juggernaut can fire anywhere on the map provided a Sniper team is near the target.

* ''VideoGame/NintendoWars'' uses this as a fairly complex mechanic. Infantry and some vehicles have a better than average viewing range, infantry on mountains can see a lot further, some terrain (like forests) can't be seen into by anything short of an allied unit being in or adjacent to it, etc. Indirect fire (like artillery) can only target enemies which can be seen.

* C3 Computers in ''[[Videogame/MechWarrior MechWarrior Living Legends]]'' rely radar data to all allies within 1 kilometer, which is necessary for the [[DeathFromAbove Long Tom Artillery tank]] to get enough data for accurate firing, as its radar only extends to 1250m, while the Long Tom's cannon can smite enemies up to around 1800m. C3 computers can also be linked together in "chains" by staying within range of each other, allowing for much further detection. The Target Acquisition Gear laser is a line-of-sight laser pointer which guides friendly missiles, particularly useful for the [[DeathFromAbove Arrow IV artillery missile]], which has a max range of about 3500 meters but can only achieve lock-on within 1500m. TAG laser guidance give no missile lock-on warnings to its hapless target - and TAG lasers are also invisible to the visible spectrum. NARC missiles have the same function, but are fire-and-forget (at the cost of being detectable and giving missile warnings); peg an enemy with it, and watch in amazement as [[MacrossMissileMassacre every friendly missile within 1000 meters]] homes in on the poor bastard.

* In ''Franchise/StarCraft'' the siege tank can actually fire further than it can see. To get maximum range out of it you need a second unit acting as spotter. ''VideoGame/StarCraftI'' also arms Ghosts with a laser target designator for short-range ballistic missiles tipped with tactical nukes. This ability is transferred to the new Spectre unit in ''VideoGame/StarCraftII''.

* In ''Anime/AldnoahZero'', after [[spoiler: Inaho and friends blind Trillram's surveillance drones with smoke grenades]], Slaine has to act as a spotter in his sky carrier and direct him where to move.

* C3 Computers in ''[[Videogame/MechWarrior MechWarrior Living Legends]]'' rely radar data to all allies within 1 kilometer, which is necessary for the [[DeathFromAbove Long Tom Artillery tank]] to get enough data for accurate firing, as its radar only extends to 1250m (less against enemies with ECM or passive radar), while the Long Tom cannon can smite enemies up to around 1800m. C3 computers can also be linked together in "chains", so long as they stay within 1 kilometer of each other, allowing for much further detection. The Target Acquisition Gear laser is a line-of-sight laser which guides friendly missiles, particularly useful for the Arrow IV artillery missile, which has a max range of about 3500 meters but can only achieve lock-on within 1500m, and TAG locks give no missile lock-on warnings to its hapless target - and TAG lasers are invisible to the visible spectrum . NARC missiles have the same function, but are fire-and-forget (at the cost of being detectable and giving missile warnings) - peg an enemy with it, and watch in amazement as [[MacrossMissileMassacre every friendly missile within 1000 meters]] homes in on the poor bastard.

For handheld target ''designators'', see PuppetGun.

Target spotting is often a gameplay mechanic in tactical TurnBasedTactics games where some units deliberately have longer firing range than viewing range. This allows these units to target enemies even without a direct line of sight, provided another friendly unit can see them. Whether they need a direct line of ''fire'', depends on their type: snipers usually do, artillery usually doesn't.

* In ''[[VideoGame/{{X}} X3: Terran Conflict]]'' and ''Albion Prelude'' missile frigates' MacrossMissileMassacre has a maximum range of about 80 km, but scanner range is limited to under 30. The solution, of course, is to use another ship as spotter.

"Spotting" is a military term for relaying the coordinates of the enemy to an allied unit (usually a artillery battery or a sniper) so it can take them out from a long distance, without putting itself in danger. The spotter is usually a small mobile unit that approaches the enemy hopefully undetected, calls in a shot and moves on--but really, any unit can act as a spotter, given long range backup. A snipers' spotter also has the additional job of guarding the sniper from flanking attacks, something that is a little hard to do when they're currently focused on lining up their shot through a zoom scope.

Target spotting is often a gameplay mechanic in tactical TurmBasedTactics games where some units deliberately have longer firing range than viewing range. This allows these units to target enemies even without a direct line of sight, provided another friendly unit can see them. Whether they need a direct line of ''fire'', depends on their type: snipers usually do, artillery usually doesn't.

"Spotting" is a military term for relaying the coordinates of the enemy to an allied unit (usually a artillery battery or a sniper) so it can take them out from a long distance, without putting itself in danger. The spotter is usually a small mobile unit that approaches the enemy (hopefully) undetected, calls in a shot and moves on--but really, any unit can act as a spotter, given long range backup. Calling in an artillery attack in a direct vicinity of an ally (particularly the spotter itself) is called "danger close".

Target spotting is often a gameplay mechanic in tactical games (such as TurnBasedTactics), where some units deliberately have longer firing range than viewing range. This allows these units to target enemies even without a direct line of sight, provided another friendly unit can see them. Whether they need a direct line of ''fire'', depends on their type: snipers usually do, artillery usually doesn't.

Naturally, this trope is very much a case of TruthInFiction, as [[CommonMilitaryUnits snipers and artillery personnel]] in real life are frequently paired with spotters who pick targets and transmit coordinates to the shooter or gunner. In the modern era, satellites and such can replace human forward observers and target designators allow the spotter to communicate directly with the weapon, but the principle still stands. Note that snipers' spotters also have the additional job of guarding the sniper from flanking attacks, something that is a little hard to do when they're currently focused on lining up their shot through a zoom scope.

Naturally, this trope is very much a case of TruthInFiction, as [[CommonMilitaryUnits snipers and artillery personnel]] in real life are frequently paired with spotters who pick targets and transmit coordinates to the shooter or gunner. In the modern era, satellites and such can replace human forward observers and target designators allow the spotter to communicate directly with the weapon, but the principle still stands. Snipers' spotters also have the job of guarding the sniper from flanking attacks.

* ''{{Warzone 2100}}'' allows you to build sensor vehicles and towers that can act as spotters for artillery and [=VTOLs=].

* In ''VideoGame/{{StarCraft|I}}'' the siege tank can actually fire further than it can see. To get maximum range out of it you need a second unit acting as spotter.

Naturally, this trope is very much a case of TruthInFiction, as [[CommonMilitaryUnits snipers and artillery personnel]] in real life are frequently paired with spotters who pick targets and transmit coordinates to the shooter or gunner. In the modern era, satellites and such can replace human forward observers and target designators allow the spotter to communicate directly with the weapon, but the principle still stands.

* ''VideoGame/SteelPanthers'' adds yet another layer of complexity by restricting ''who'' can call in fire: an average rifle squad sergeant isn't typically trained in adjusting fire, for instance, so very often it's not enough to see your target: you need someone who's trained to do so call in fire. One common tactic is to use specially-trained (and expensive) spotters to call in the initial strike in the general vicinity of the target, then use platoon and company commanders who can see the shell splash radio in corrections.

** Infantry has enormous viewing range, which is not obscured by forests, but are quite vulnerable in the open. Anti-air units and particularly tanks, on the other hand, have extremely long firing ranges but limited viewing range, so skillful players hide their infantry quietly in the woods close to the enemy position, while the tanks bombard it from safe distance, covered by hidden AA.

* In ''VideoGame/WorldInConflict'', infantry has enormous viewing range, which is not obscured by forests, but are quite vulnerable in the open. Anti-air units and particularly tanks, on the other hand, have extremely long firing ranges but limited viewing range, so skillful players hide their infantry quietly in the woods close to the enemy position, while the tanks bombard it from safe distance, covered by hidden AA.

Naturally, this trope is very much a case of TruthInFiction, as [[CommonMilitaryUnits snipers and artillery personnel]] in real life are frequently paired with spotters who pick targets and transmit coordinates to the shooter or gunner. In the modern era, satellites and such replace human forward observers but the principle still stands.