The Laser Designator is a Recon-class starting gadget built for spotting and target “painting.” In handheld mode, it works like binoculars with zoom and thermal vision; in tripod mode, it can watch an area on its own. Its core job is simple: mark enemy vehicles so teammates with air-defense and long‑range launchers can lock faster and keep the lock longer. It can also place general markers visible to your team.

Laser Designator basic controls (handheld mode)

Action Controller Keyboard/Mouse
Equip Laser Designator Left D‑Pad 3
Adjust zoom (three levels) Press L3 (click left stick) F
Paint target / place marker Hold R2 / RT Hold Left Mouse Button

When equipped, you can either stay in handheld view to scan and paint or deploy the gadget as a tripod on the ground. Thermal vision is available in handheld view and can be switched off, but keeping it on makes enemy soldiers and vehicles easier to pick out.

Scan with thermal, then zoom to confirm targets

Use the handheld view like binoculars. Start with thermal on to quickly separate silhouettes from the background, then cycle zoom to tighten up identification and line of sight. The Designator offers three zoom levels; tap L3 on a controller or press F on a keyboard to step through them. Settle on a comfortable zoom that keeps your reticle stable while you pan across likely vehicle routes and open sightlines.

Tip: Thermal makes distant movement pop, but it can wash out context. If you lose track of cover or terrain, briefly toggle thermal off to reorient, then switch it back on for target acquisition.

Paint enemy vehicles for faster, longer lock‑ons

The Paint function is the reason to bring this gadget. Hold the Paint input on an enemy vehicle—tanks, helicopters, jets—until it’s marked. That mark is visible to teammates and is what enables quick, reliable locks for air-defense and other long‑range launchers. In practice, painting does two things:

  • Speeds up target acquisition for guided weapons pointed at the marked vehicle.
  • Extends the duration those weapons can keep a lock, improving hit chances.

You can also place general markers on locations for team awareness using the same Paint input when not aimed at a vehicle. That’s useful for calling attention to armor bolting across open ground or a road where vehicles keep pushing.

Deploy the tripod for autonomous area coverage

Instead of staying handheld, you can plant the Laser Designator as a tripod. Once deployed, you can step away and let it cover a lane or objective. The tripod operates autonomously, scanning the area you’ve set it to watch. Return to it at any time to take manual control if the situation changes or a high‑value vehicle enters its view.

This mode is ideal when you’ve secured a vantage point and want continuous coverage while you reposition, spot with a scope, or relocate to avoid being flanked.

Where it fits in your Recon loadout

The gadget pairs naturally with long‑range play. Recon can carry other primaries, but a sniper rifle complements the Designator’s role: you can paint vehicles, then immediately pivot to covering infantry pushes at distance. Pick spots with clear sightlines over vehicle routes, elevation where possible, and cover that lets you break line of sight after painting.

If you’re new to the gadget, the campaign introduces it early in the mission “Always Faithful,” which provides a controlled environment to learn handheld scanning, painting, and why vehicles are priority targets.

Quick routine to get reliable paints

  • Equip the Designator and enable thermal in handheld view.
  • Cycle to a zoom level that keeps targets steady in your reticle.
  • Track the vehicle and hold the Paint input until it’s marked.
  • Call out the marked target’s direction to your squad if you’re on comms.
  • Optionally deploy the tripod to watch the same lane while you reposition.

The key takeaway: use handheld thermal and zoom to acquire quickly, paint vehicles to unlock your team’s guided weapons, and switch to tripod mode when you need autonomous coverage of a high‑traffic approach. Once you build this rhythm, enemy armor spends more time dodging locks and less time dominating objectives.