[AAR] Commanding is not that hard

[Oak]

Just played commander on Kashan - first time I played a commander from beginning to end. We ended up taking all points except the last one (US main base), and we would have probably taken that as well if the match wouldn't have ended 220-0.

The thing is, I think I was an okay commander, even though I'm not that experienced. I used the map markers a lot - really helpful for friendly tanks and planes - and I try to help communicate between teams. My job was less commanding and more coordinating. It may not be the best way to command, but I think it was enough, and helped the team.

The only thing that bothered me is that the commander's screen is buggy as hell - sometimes squads have no SLs, assets disappear from map (even though I know they are there), seemingly dead troops (by their health bars) are walking around, etc. It's like it was designed that way on purpose, to simulate real lapses in blue force tracking systems. Was it?

But overall, it turned out being an OK commander isn't that difficult. At least, I think I was OK

[Wolfe]

My job was less commanding and more coordinating. It may not be the best way to command...

On the contrary, that's the perfect way to command. In real life, leadership is 90% allowing people to do what they do best and 10% pointing them in the right direction. Too many leaders do it the other way around.

[Rudd]

I prefer coordinating as well, but some squads assume that because a commander is present, they can't do anything without permission/orders

[qunniq]

didnt think it looked to much like blue force tracker but im beting its bugs over anything else

[daranz]

I prefer coordinating as well, but some squads assume that because a commander is present, they can't do anything without permission/orders

Hey, why take responsibility when you can go and ask the other guy to do it for you. Then you can blame HIM if it goes wrong! It's a natural human reaction.

[Acemantura]

Yeah Oak,

This weekend i got to go back home and see my computer. So i thought i might log a few hours on PR, seeing as i dont know when ill see my baby again.

Anyway, my computer was slow this weekend and/or the server, but because of that, i really only got the opportunity to play as the commander for my team, and I felt really good afterwards.

First I played Ramiel--beautiful map btw--and it took me a while to realize that my computer wasn't going to handle the enormity of the map--I'm an ok LB pilot, and i wasted it with a ridicoulous amount of lag--so I thought i would go commander. There I found an excellent pilot with the attack LB who i designated for CAS. He never really got the opportunity to use it as no squads would call in or give valueable information.

Anyway, after about 30 minutes of noobs trying to pilot helicopters, I finally made this guy my transport pilot in the lb, ferrying people across the map from the airbase. The majority of my actions, was giving him accurate LZ waypoints, based on squads needs.

Now dont get me wrong, I didn't mind doing this, I play PR for the teamwork that I craved from BF2, but I had to deal with noobs taking assets and flipping them over and micromanaging waypoints for pilots. If there is a DEV reading this, please pay attention.

The next map I had the pleasure to command was Muttrah V2. It was a beautiful map, but because of the lag, I could only enjoy it at the begining of the round and from the fuzzy commander screen. Anyway, in this round I was on the USMC side, and every person had their own little agenda.

I knew what needed to happen: Take docks and simultaneously build outposts. We had 3 full squads of Inf, and each squad (Except squad three) it seems were holding eachother dicks. We had an APC ripping up 3rd squ. while squad 5, my designated Cobra squad were holding their dicks on the carrier because of an AA problem 5 minutes into the battle. SGT.Nerfy was the SL for 5 and is a damn good pilot and player (Nerfy, nextime please just find something else to do immidiately after the fact. You probably already know this, but for the sake of anyone new to the concept, get in the fight for 19 of the 20 minutes you have to wait for your vehicle) Nerfy got the idea, fairly soon, when i asked squad 4 to get him and his co-pilot to the stranded APC in the middile of the Effing ocean, so that Squ 3 could finally have some help with that infernal APC.

Anyway, Our cobra could help at all after thatbecause of ABSOLUTE F#$%ING MORONS that decide its their turn to screw up the game. And even though its only a game, i cant enjoy it if there are people that ruin it for me and our entire team. If it wasn't people force tk'ing the pilot in the cobra, it is people making new squads to disrupt the order in which people came first--GET2ME was one of those people. However in his defence, in my frustration, I told him that anyone threatening to get into the chopper other than squad 5 would be fired upon. So he shot me as i kneeled in front of him, and so ensued TK-Fest '08-Muttrah City, in which I am guilty for at least 2 tk's against Get2Me. It wont ever happen again.

Now, after all this, our carrier is bombarded with AA missile fire from some 'unknown' location, and further increases my impatience.

Dev's and et al, please pay attention to this.

And now I have some time before the next time i play, to increase my desire for PR. And the way it tastes currently, I hope I can wait a long time.

Anyways, I found out that playing Infantry maps were much more fun, especially when I'm the sniper for my team and I can single handedly take out a squad of men trying out-flank my squad. And also, I must say, that being the medic for my squad is rewarding in its own right. You are the savior of your team--SO MUCH FUN!!!

Peace

Ace