Watch Tower
This article is timeless and should be accurate for any version of the game.
| “ | Reports nearby enemy movements to players with Radios equipped. | „ |
| — In-game description |
The Watch Tower is a player-built defensive structure that automatically gathers Map Intelligence for its faction.
Construction
It can be built with a Hammer and 60 Basic Materials on any land except roads, beaches, bridges, paved areas, or rocks.
Defense
It does not have a lot of health and is not very resistant. It can be easily destroyed by 12.7mm weaponry or any heavy explosives. It only takes 3 Mammon grenades to kill it.
The flag on top indicates the wind direction.
Intel Gathering
It automatically gathers Map Intelligence in a 80 meter radius, detecting players, vehicles, and structures, and broadcasts it to its faction. Its range is indicated on the map by a semi-transparent white circle around it. 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.
Tactics
Watchtowers are one of two player-built structures that can gather intelligence. Due to the value of intelligence and spotting enemies from far distances, it is vital to cover all your territory with map intelligence structures. While it might be difficult to cover all areas with Watchtowers, all roads should be covered by Watchtowers or Observation Bunkers at the very least.
In order to prevent the enemy faction from stealing map intel, making partisan attacks easier for them, be on the lookout for Listening Kits that are placed within the Watchtower's radius. Simply removing the Listening Kit from the tripod will stop its transmission.
Trivia
- Originally, the Watchtower had a different model, which was a small wooden tower, with a blue rectangular pyramid top. It had the faction's flag on the top
- The Watchtower, along with the Storage Box, were updated to their current models in Update 0.48
Gallery
A Watchtower owned by the Colonials
Map Intelligence gathered by multiple Watch Towers displayed on the map.
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