[Discussion] Squad Leaders, Lead the Way!

[goguapsy]

There are very few players who will stick to their SL like glue and do what he says when he says it. Perhaps my standards are just too high?

In any case, I think many inexperienced players don't really grasp how much is going on in the squad leader's head and VOIP channel sometimes, so be patient, and if he says, "hold on, I need to coordinate some requests" or sumfink, just create a perimeter around him and try to keep the irrelevant chatter down.

You know, a few of the best squad members I've ever had were first-timers... Because they don't have the knowledge of how the game works (after you play it for a while you end up figuring out how to get some action and more kills...). Most issues I had were with experienced players -- I'm talking about players in clans and long-timers.

[joethepro36]

Most issues I had were with experienced players -- I'm talking about players in clans and long-timers.

I find in general it's those that can cause you the most hassle but rather indirectly. The obvious noobs and people who really bring your squad down are easily kicked and it's very easy to justify kicking them out. But when you have a guy who regularly uses VOIP who sticks with the squad for the most part it gets very, very difficult to deal with them.

I find that this manifests by them taking their time while moving towards you or doing something wierd. I'd estimate 50% of my problems as SL are somewhat decent/average players who hang back and refuse to move up to you quickly. Me and 2 guys will typically be moving ahead and get into some cover only for me to check the map and see them about 100m-200m back behind us. And it's not like we're under fire or even moving that carefully. They're just painfully slow. Sometimes it only takes one or two calls of "Hey get over here, it's clear, move up" and other times I've had to yell at them for 2 minutes straight. Strangely enough telling them I'll kick them makes them seriously get moving towards me.

Alternatively a lot of problems are caused by otherwise good players doing something retarded. This is usually taking a kit that we don't need, mainly HAT. I've seen a guy take HAT, get told by me to not take it in future without dying, accepts that he won't take it and then die only to take it again 2 minutes later.


I find that as an almost exclusively pub player I have to have an incredibly high tolerance for hijinks and bad playing. Any of you guys that tend to stick with people you know have no idea how stressful sorting out a pub squad into something resembling a fighting force is, let alone actually leading them successfully. Thank god for players like Bloodace who made things so much easier for me earlier.

One thing that has been mentioned here is the importance of good players in squads. I know the difference between leading an experienced squad and leading an incompetent squad. The experienced one will annihalate all opposition to such a degree it feels cruel. The incompetent one will lose battles from prepared positions, get killed by a lone wolf or kill zero enemies in a typical firefight. Sadly for me about a third of the time I play, the squad is incompetent.

I seem to have gone on a tangent leading into a tangent here. Good day.

/end rant

[Web_cole]

You know, a few of the best squad members I've ever had were first-timers... Because they don't have the knowledge of how the game works (after you play it for a while you end up figuring out how to get some action and more kills...). Most issues I had were with experienced players -- I'm talking about players in clans and long-timers.

Hmm, my experience is pretty all round mixed. I've come across some excellent public players (but by no means all of them) and some excellent clan players (but by no means all of them). I will usually try not to judge a player by tags, or lack thereof, unless the clan is well known to me, in which case I may make a pre-judgement on that player. For instance I squaded up with an LP player I had never seen before last week, and being LP I assumed he would be communicative, skilled, knowledgeable and a good teamplayer. And he was.

[goguapsy]

Hmm, my experience is pretty all round mixed. I've come across some excellent public players (but by no means all of them) and some excellent clan players (but by no means all of them). I will usually try not to judge a player by tags, or lack thereof, unless the clan is well known to me, in which case I may make a pre-judgement on that player. For instance I squaded up with an LP player I had never seen before last week, and being LP I assumed he would be communicative, skilled, knowledgeable and a good teamplayer. And he was.

Of course there are both sides of the coin.

But for whatever reason, the best full-squads I had were formed seasoned players which followed orders quickly and effectively. Coincidently or not, all of them were pubers - just like me.

[Arnoldio]

Each squadmember needs to be his own squadleader so to say, they dont need to be skilled at shooting and stuff, but usage of common sense is necesarry, SL just takes the burden off their shoulders so they dont ahve to think where others are and what they should be doing.

If you are an AR, watching the street, and if SL orders the grappling hook to be thrown somewhere, you dont need, or let me rephrase, you must not turn around and look if the hook will land properly and if he is going to make it to the top or if SL is following him, the worst thing, going on the actual rope without orders.

Each SM has 5 other e-lives to protect (that doesnt mean that whole squad combined has 30 lives to protect...) and should act like that and not fail the squad by doing unnecesarry things, the worst beinh far away from the rest.

If somebody is to cover the enterance/stairs and whatnot, he must cover it, not get bored after a minute and go nag others or the SL because at the very moment he moves away, enemy will come pouring in without him being in position and slowing tthem down/killing them, resulting in the squad having much lower chances of survival.

[Wicca]

lets just say, that noone expects your staff sergeant to hold your hand in combat and tell you. "its gonna be allright son, its gonna be allright"..

Cause its not.


EDIT:

Im 1337!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And im better than you all.

[Fluffywuffy]

Congrats brah.

[goguapsy]

lets just say, that noone expects your staff sergeant to hold your hand in combat and tell you. "its gonna be allright son, its gonna be allright"..

Cause its not.


EDIT:

Im 1337!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And im better than you all.

I remember when I got 1337 posts, I also celebrated



But what do you mean by "hold your hand"? Keeping a tight leash works in some occasions... if that's what you mean.

[cyberzomby]

haha yea! What ChizNizzle says there happens sooooo many times! Im not getting mad at people who do, because its a public game instead of a tourney or important match. But its funny.

It happens with all sort of special events. If a HAT guy prepares his hat for a tank shot, every non-hat soldier will grab bino's and start looking over the hill

[Wicca]

I remember when I got 1337 posts, I also celebrated



But what do you mean by "hold your hand"? Keeping a tight leash works in some occasions... if that's what you mean.

Well, imagine your mom and dad, holding your hand, all the way through life.

Would get really weird, escpecially when you got married.

Its just the same way in the army, people need to learn how to take care of themselfs, and learn all the different weapon system, tactics and reactions. Or else they will be less favoured.

[Chuc]

It happens with all sort of special events. If a HAT guy prepares his hat for a tank shot, every non-hat soldier will grab bino's and start looking over the hill

Now that's supporting each other! Gives the tank other targets to choose from

[Tiger1]

trust in steel, you will find me there. Drakoon comparing PR SLing to real military SLing is just not going to happen.

[Brainlaag]

Im 1337!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And im better than you all.

Thats a LIE!!!!!

[goguapsy]

Even thought I play with a chosen community and what, it is not close to even being easy. This job is hard, very hard. I mean, every time I am a SL, I need to keep an eye on the chat and map, listen to my CO and SM's at the same time while reading the darn chat. It even gets worse when I need to order around another SQ as well(happens sometimes, if many people I play with are online we form 2 sq and then move as 1 sq.)

Everytime a good SL is a good SL he does what you do

Annoyed my SL when I went SM once (I normally SL), I kept checking the map and saying "look at this/look at that". He answered "SHUT UP AND LOOK WEST DAMN IT!"

Haha.



But what you are doing (check map/chat/SMs/CO) is an issue with bad players. With good players, it is easier, because micro-management decreases.

Well, imagine your mom and dad, holding your hand, all the way through life.

Would get really weird, escpecially when you got married.

Its just the same way in the army, people need to learn how to take care of themselfs, and learn all the different weapon system, tactics and reactions. Or else they will be less favoured.

True, but they must remember to obey their parents when they live alone...

[CommunistComma]

Thank you lol.

But SL is nothing without a good squad.

An SL without a squad is some dumbass alone in a 1 man squad.

[goguapsy]

An SL without a squad is some dumbass alone in a 1 man squad.

Without a good squad is what he said, man!

[Arc_Shielder]

I've learned that it doesn't matter to be strategically efficient but rather objective. To stay calm and simply command even if it gets your whole squad killed repetitively.

I say this because two days ago I was playing for the UK side in Karbala and our SL was a non-VOIP which instantly received a protest from my side. He offered the role to me and I took it without hesitation, relying heavily on my top 3 finishes in the previous 2 rounds (as a commander and then medic).
Cutting things short, I got myself inspired by this "dbzao" and his videos. I exposed myself countless times, always trying to be a role model of bravery to my squad. I commanded calmly even in the most critical situations (even killed more enemies than ever because of such). And also had my moments of stress...but it was worth it.
All in all got my 1st place ever in a round.

I only have 3 weeks of PR gaming but I think the difficulty to lead is proportional to the discipline of your men.

[Wicca]

I've learned that it doesn't matter to be strategically efficient but rather objective. To stay calm and simply command even if it gets your whole squad killed repetitively.

I say this because two days ago I was playing for the UK side in Karbala and our SL was a non-VOIP which instantly received a protest from my side. He offered the role to me and I took it without hesitation, relying heavily on my top 3 finishes in the previous 2 rounds (as a commander and then medic).
Cutting things short, I got myself inspired by this "dbzao" and his videos. I exposed myself countless times, always trying to be a role model of bravery to my squad. I commanded calmly even in the most critical situations (even killed more enemies than ever because of such). And also had my moments of stress...but it was worth it.
All in all got my 1st place ever in a round.

I only have 3 weeks of PR gaming but I think the difficulty to lead is proportional to the discipline of your men.

Ill be seeing you on mumble then mate

I think keeping a balance between discipline and fun is important, discipline to the point where people do what you say quickly, and fun so that people can actually enjoy a good game of PR.

What is tough is when you have to persuade said member to follow orders, i usually yell when people dont do as i say, and i get extremly put off when they talk against me. Usually i can say things such as, "i cant see any SL tags on your name?"

But thats when im having a bad day, usually i get all american Staff Seargent joke on them, and then somehow following orders aint that bad, cause its funny orders. Idunno. Just something i picked up.

However, i really agree with staying calm, usually i get so exited with adrenaline, its very unsane. Unhealthy

[goguapsy]

I try to stay calm.

But I won't be calm when:

-someone desobeys the order of NOT GETTING ANY LIMITED KITS RIGHT after I told them not to. I would tolerate it on main base (except if you get a sniper or marksman, which is insta-kick), but if we are in some serious situation, I don't like it.

-If you ignore/deny my orders repeatedly (note: not protesting as saying it is not a good idea, I mean simply ignoring my orders).