Squad Leadership Struggles

[Shovel]

Today I pretty much played PR for 10 hours. I noticed on thing that happened frequently.

If you happen to be in one of those games where there are 10 or so unassigned people who are desperate for a squad, but can't lead one, when someone does make a squad it usually fills up within a matter of seconds. For 15-30 mins this goes well, until the SL decides its time to leave, or he gets disconnected, etc. Then, this leaves an unsuspecting SM in the role of squad leader. Most of the time, the SM will leave and rejoin the squad. This will happen until someone who is willing to lead become SL, or until everyone leaves and the squad self-destructs. Has anyone else noticed this?

[Sidewinder Zulu]

Oh yes, this is quite common. I've had this happen to me before on the rare occurances where I'm squad leader.
Best thing to do if you're the squad leader and you have to go is designate someone to be the SL afterwards.

The smartest thing to do, really, is ask who wants to be second in command from the moment you make the squad, that way if you're killed/incapacitated/CTD, there's someone to take over till you get back.

If this happens when I'm a squad member....well, then I usually just go to a different squad. It's not a mark of good teamwork when this sort of thing happens.

[ledo1222]

Always happens to me that's why you always have someone other Squad leader, that can lead for you or a buddy in a squad. But if you don't Come back your whole squads leaves and you come back sad.

[goguapsy]

Yes, I feel that, if such thing happens, the squad will not be as effective as if it had an assigned SL.

[doghouse]

Ha, does happen a lot and it really disrupts the squad. This thread should have been titled, "The annoyances of Squad Leaders".

SL's leaving a squad is annoying. Even more so 10mins into a round and he states, "Ok, guys, I'm off in a minute" - disconnects. Gee thanks.

Another annoying thing about some SL's is they seem to be in their own world. The squad moves to the move marker and sets up. Then a minute later the SL is shouting at people for not being with him (huh?). Open the map and he's 200m away... Well SL, then tell us we are moving out before doing it. ^^

[Rudd]

I never have this problem because I'm always the SL, if I'm not the SL I usually just take over the squad if he leaves.

bit annoying sometimes if you really don't fancy SLing, but when greatness is thrust upon you, who are you to refuse!! XD

[mockingbird0901]

This is how I started SL'ing.
First thing I said as an SL was 'OK, so how do I use the radio....?'
Nobody in my squad knew

[KaizerSosa81]

Today I pretty much played PR for 10 hours. I noticed on thing that happened frequently.

If you happen to be in one of those games where there are 10 or so unassigned people who are desperate for a squad, but can't lead one, when someone does make a squad it usually fills up within a matter of seconds. For 15-30 mins this goes well, until the SL decides its time to leave, or he gets disconnected, etc. Then, this leaves an unsuspecting SM in the role of squad leader. Most of the time, the SM will leave and rejoin the squad. This will happen until someone who is willing to lead become SL, or until everyone leaves and the squad self-destructs. Has anyone else noticed this?

Noticed this? This happens all the time unfortunately.

Heck I'm new but it's to the point where I might as well take over a squad the next time this happens. Rather have someone new with a tactical approach than new/old without a clue.

I often give suggestions to SL players who seem to know what they're doing and surprising said they find my on field advice good so with that I'm kind of warming up to the ideas of leading squads in the future.

[ChopperRead]

I find myself squad leading now and again, and the problem as i see it is there is no reward for doing it.
give the squad leader something cool for his time and trouble.

one of the below would be a good start.....

40mm grenade launcher

marksman scope

silenced pistol

more grenades etc etc

you get the idea, give them something appealing and they might just start leading.

[killonsight95]

a grenade launcher.... nope.jpg
marksman scope....nope.jpg
silenced pistol...nope.jpg
more grenades....nope.jpg

i wouldn't agreee to anymore equipment for the SL, maybe give them a point boost?

[KaizerSosa81]

I find myself squad leading now and again, and the problem as i see it is there is no reward for doing it.
give the squad leader something cool for his time and trouble.

one of the below would be a good start.....

40mm grenade launcher

marksman scope

silenced pistol

more grenades etc etc

you get the idea, give them something appealing and they might just start leading.

Are you implying some sort of unlock system or extra weapons/gadgets. Uh yeah, I think the accomplishments of a good squad is reward enough, I mean isn't that the point.

[doghouse]

The reward for SL depends how you approach it I guess. If I can get through a round completing our local objectives, keeping the team on their feet, not losing assets; then I'm a happy bunny. That's reward enough.

For me, I spend nowhere near as much time in direct combat compared to the rest of the squad. I try not to take point. I'll have my head down. Observing the map, and communicating with other SL's - that's hit n miss though. heh.

I also like SM's that make suggestions. Even if I say no. I don't discourage it.

[Arc_Shielder]

a grenade launcher.... nope.jpg
marksman scope....nope.jpg
silenced pistol...nope.jpg
more grenades....nope.jpg

i wouldn't agreee to anymore equipment for the SL, maybe give them a point boost?

Nah, a moustache in different sizes and colors.

[Mikemonster]

Hang on guys this thread is about SL's leaving a squad and someone else having to 'inherit' it and lead to victory.

As an SL that has both been in that situation as a new guy and also 'inherited' a squad as a fairly experienced SL many times, let me say some things..

If the squad you inherit is a good squad already, the transition is usually fairly easy because a good squad tends to have a shared intelligence (through lots of communication and common sense) and as such usually don't require much input from the SL.
In one of these squads the SL is an asset for the squad to use, rather than the Squad being an asset for the SL to use. As a Squad Leader this is brilliant because it means you suddenly have lots of spare brain time to devote to actual tactics and comms with mortars, air, etc.

Some Squad Leaders are not much more experienced than the Squad players (some of you guys) that they are leading.
It is easy to come up with plans, fall-back positions, tactics, etc when you are one guy in 6 who has a small job to do. You'll find though that when you start to Squad Lead you will struggle at first to have these same ideas because you will be so busy planning ahead and making sure everyone is where they should be. This is not helped by some squad members who have their own ideas and tend to go off a bit alone (even 50m can be a nightmare for a Squad Leader). So please be understanding of these guys who have chosen to take the lead.
In short, as a aquad member you have to deal with what's in front of you and think about how the battlefield affects you. The squad leader has to do this for himself, but also has 5 other guys to think about.

Some Squad Leaders (me included) will lead a squad for the first 20 minutes of the round and then realise that they are just not enjoying themselves. This is usually because the squad they are leading isn't very effective or fun to play with for various reasons (mainly communication and obedience for me, as well as a lack of understanding my plans). Hence the guy that picks up the reins is in an even worse position and has to work even harder.

[ChopperRead]

a grenade launcher.... nope.jpg
marksman scope....nope.jpg
silenced pistol...nope.jpg
more grenades....nope.jpg

i wouldn't agreee to anymore equipment for the SL, maybe give them a point boost?

nope.jpg is not really helpfull, do care to explain why not?

grenade launcher... i remember when leading back in 0.5/0.6 that some factions had squad leaders with grenade launchers. the devs must have thought thats was a good idea at some point.

marksman scope... why not? theres still the option to use the alternative officer kit.

silenced pistol.... this was just for fun really, maybe for stealthly taking out a sentrys and what not. hell, this could even add to gameplay.

more grenade.... the squad leader just needs more nades.... simples.

as for squad leading, anybody that actully squad leads knows that leading is its own reward only half the time. the other half its just a chore.

idea is to get more people willing to lead. for some, extra gear would be the only real lure.

[KaizerSosa81]

idea is to get more people willing to lead. for some, extra gear would be the only real lure.

And that's when you get the inexperienced *** hats who'll take the SL for those assets only. Not a good idea really.

[ryan d ale]

This thread has highlighted an important issue for me on a personal level.

I think I read somewhere that PR:A2 will have a code feature that disables voip for a dead/wounded person.

So combined with the original subject of this thread I think it would be very good practice to start asking people to volunteer for a 2IC (2nd in Command) position within the squad to lead movements and such when the leader is incapacitated/afk.

[Mikemonster]

This thread has highlighted an important issue for me on a personal level.

I think I read somewhere that PR:A2 will have a code feature that disables voip for a dead/wounded person.

So combined with the original subject of this thread I think it would be very good practice to start asking people to volunteer for a 2IC (2nd in Command) position within the squad to lead movements and such when the leader is incapacitated/afk.

That is a good point.

[ChopperRead]

And that's when you get the inexperienced *** hats who'll take the SL for those assets only. Not a good idea really.

this happens all the time anyway, people make a sqaud just for a speacial kit. and because it there squad no one can say anything... what did you say? why i got sniper?.....kick.

at lest with what i sugested, they might actully take the officer kit and use it.

[maniac1031]

nope.jpg is not really helpfull, do care to explain why not?

grenade launcher... i remember when leading back in 0.5/0.6 that some factions had squad leaders with grenade launchers. the devs must have thought thats was a good idea at some point.

marksman scope... why not? theres still the option to use the alternative officer kit.

silenced pistol.... this was just for fun really, maybe for stealthly taking out a sentrys and what not. hell, this could even add to gameplay.

more grenade.... the squad leader just needs more nades.... simples.

as for squad leading, anybody that actully squad leads knows that leading is its own reward only half the time. the other half its just a chore.

idea is to get more people willing to lead. for some, extra gear would be the only real lure.

Why should sl have a m203 there is a kit for that
Same with marksman
No silenced weapons in pr this isn't the navy seals
Why should the sl have more grenades over a riflemen.
Sl already has 3 patches to get himself fully healed. A pistol and the gltd.

This idea is like saying well lets give the squad lead a sniper rifle because it will make people sl more often.
Your right it would but I for one wouldn't want some one squad leading me who is only doing so for the extra gear.