Provocator is in fact a "tool", a lifting exo-armour modified to carry heavy close combat or support weapons.

Overview
Basically, the Provocator is Secutor with a Force of 6, not being able to evade and that can receive Heavy Armour (as option). It also has size 3 which is not important because this doesn't give any bonus to enemy shooters.
Basic model (loadout 1), Provocator is less expensive than a Secutor but does not have any ranged combat capability. On the other hand its Force of 7 (6 plus the modifier of the weapon) can wipe out any opponent! It is available only to Calibres 0 and 1.
Loadout 2 or 3 (with Castigator Flame thrower or Machine-gun) can deliver the same blow but they bring heavy firepower! These alternatives are available at Calibre 1 and 2.

Use
Loadout 1 brings more power to assault teams and is perfect as support for low Calibre pack of Secutors. It'll bring more low Calibre/low cost grunts and let points to recruit high Calibre heroes. The two other loadouts are rather intended to support assault groups with their weaponry that is deadly at Short Range. Thus, they are as effective in Close Combat than loadout 1.
Loadout 2's rate of fire (3 at Short Range) is impressive but the low SH 3 will prevent it to be as effective as you would like it to be. Thus, he'll certainly frighten foes and force them to move carefully as your detachment approach. Interesting but not overpowerfull.

Loadout 3, which Castigator flame-thrower doesn't require dice roll to hit, is really a death-machine. However it will need to get very very close to ennemies to be effective. Be carefull with this weapon, it doesn't like to be hit. Some low Calibre crowd like Pit Beasts or Secutor can help to screen it... Of course, 43 or 54 points for a Calibre 1 or 2 make this one a very expensive model but it is worth.
One could argue that Command 4 will not make it possible to use high Calibre. It is a bit true, but keep in mind that basic Junker troopers usually have Cd 3 and only very few ones have 5.

Conclusion
Loadout 1 is interesting because it is a good alternative to Secutor as low Calibre troopers, has heavy power in Close Combat and is really cheap.
Loadout 2 can surprise opponents not used to suffer from heavy firepower from Gladiators detachments.
Last but not least, loadout 3 is really impressive and will first scare opponents and secondly burn their models! Of course, this efficiency has a cost...

Reference cards : Loadout 1, Loadout 2, Loadout 3




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