Observation Tower
This article is timeless and should be accurate for any version of the game.
| “ | An Observation Tower that provides intel on friendly and enemy forces in an area. | „ |
| — In-game description |
The Observation Tower (also known as an OBS Tower) is a defensive world structure that automatically gathers Map Intelligence for its faction.
Construction
If destroyed it can be rebuilt with a Construction Vehicle and 200 Basic Materials.
At the beginning of a new war, all Observation Towers start destroyed and must be rebuilt.
Defense
It has a lot of health and is pretty resistant.
Intel Gathering
It automatically gathers Map Intelligence in a 500 meter range but only in a 30° arc, detecting players, vehicles, and structures, and broadcasts it to its faction. Its range is indicated on the map by a semi-transparent white cone. It doesn't need to be garrisoned to work.
Players can see their faction's intel on their map, but the intel displayed is only updated when they interact with a Base or if they have a Radio or Radio Backpack equipped.
The intel gathering is affected by:
- Scout Uniform: players wearing one have an 80% chance of not being seen during each regular scan
- Rain Storm: The scanning radius decreases depending on the storm intensity. At maximum intensity it is halved.
- Frontier Border: Intel gathering structures stop working if they are within 220 meters of a contested border (a red line that shows up between two hexes).
The map intel it broadcasts can be intercepted by enemy Listening Kits and Intelligence Centers.
Interactions
- Friendly players can enter the tower and rotate the radar dish on top with
AandDthus turning the intel gathering cone on the map. - You can open its menu with
Eand view the Action Logs
to check the actions done to it (who changed direction, when and how many times, who entered/exited).
Tactics
- Due to their long scanning cone, observation towers are prime targets for Listening Kits to steal enemy intel in a large area.
- Due to their long scanning cone, and lack of any maintenance required to keep it operational (unlike other types of intel-gathering structures), it is highly recommended to build them ASAP in order to ensure your faction has map coverage.
Trivia
- In their initial iteration, Observation Towers were placed all around the map, and would gather intel in a large 100 meter radius (akin to an Observation Bunker, or a Watchtower).
- This was changed in 1.54 Naval Warfare, where they were overhauled, and would focus their intel coverage to a large cone. Unlike other intel-gathering structures, these are able to scout enemy underwater Submarines, allowing for their early detection, and potential friendly counterattack.
Gallery
An Observation Tower owned by the Wardens
Render Model of the old Observation Tower
Two Observation Tower on the map showing their range
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