The Meerkat Effect

[Danger_6]

One of the most annoying things I find in PR is something I like to call the Meerkat Effect.

What is this?

Here is an example:

Let's say you're the guy on point. - You're the scout, the guy who is supposed to be killed first, the guy who is supposed to spot (and be spotted by) the enemy. That's your role. -

You approach the side of a building in an urban environment. Of course, being a good point man you stop before you look around this corner and slowly creep forward to gain a field of view. You take out your binos and observe the street.

Suddenly a body appears right in front of your binos! You begin to panic, you know you're dead meat.

You manage to take out your rifle and are just about to fire when you realize: I should be dead by now, were this soldier the enemy.

Then it hits you. This is your squad mate, Bob, he is also interested in what's going on and decided to peek around the corner. You then turn around to find the whole gang sitting in the street with you.

WTF?

Observe object A:



Surely, this defeats the point of having a scout?!

My point is, I hate nosy people. You're a grunt, you don't need to see anything until you're told to shoot. Six men are more easy to spot than one man.

You could be doing more useful things like covering the squad's rear and sides in case of an ambush. If you all stop when the point man stops this stops you bunching up, and preventing one grenade killing you all.

So please, if you're a squady. Don't crest hills, don't peek around corners and don't jump in front of the point man.

[Mikemonster]

Hahaha try being a SL and leading your squad on a stealthy flank. You go down the middle of the valley to pop up unseen on the enemy and then look behind you and realise they are walking along the ridgeline for a better view!

The problem is that nobody has a vulcan mind-meld with you and even if you explain it takes a LOT of self discipline to follow strict orders, even such as 'dont group up'. And most people don't have that discipline, or aren't willing to trust the guy in charge to get them the kills (instead wanting to be autonomous).

Although it is frustrating. Usually it's totally aimlessly innocent and a misunderstanding/oversight on their part. It doesn't make it any less annoying though.

Interestingly as a SL it seems it can be good to have a few of these guys in the squad sometimes. The maps are so empty in 64 servers that generally they get on ok, and rely on superior personal skill to kill enemies they come accross. The downside is that they generally don't follow a plan and/or understand your main aim, which might have actually been to let the enemy cross open ground so the whole squad could have some fun.

Communicating a point in PR is personally one of thehardest things to do I reckon.

Also, worth thinking. You say you were on point.. Well the other guy probably thought the same!

[Tarranauha200]

Thats small problem. People talk n tell some random jokes and talk bs when they are walking. And there is max 2m beetween them. One MG you are pinned down, 1 nade and half of the squad is down.

[splatters]

Thats small problem. People talk n tell some random jokes and talk bs when they are walking. And there is max 2m beetween them. One MG you are pinned down, 1 nade and half of the squad is down.

These people are considered stupid or - pardon my french - noobs.

[Gore]

This is true. Squadleader: "alright guys stay down I'm gonna take a look" then everyone goes up to him and pull out their binocs. Almost EVERYONE is doing this, no trust in the spotter/squadleader, everybody want to have a look themselves, even though they're told there's a fucking tank over there, "a tank! oh wow lemme see!"

[Danger_6]

Many people state that the main problems about grouping close together are: "1 nade kills every one" or "1 mg pins you all down".

However, it's also important to bear in mind that if you are spread out and you return or give fire on an enemy position the enemy believes they are facing a larger force; they will also find it more difficult to target lone shooters.

[PoisonBill]

These people are considered stupid or - pardon my french - noobs.

True dat

[Mikemonster]

Many people state that the main problems about grouping close together are: "1 nade kills every one" or "1 mg pins you all down".

However, it's also important to bear in mind that if you are spread out and you return or give fire on an enemy position the enemy believes they are facing a larger force; they will also find it more difficult to target lone shooters.

Absolutely. The only downside is that if a guy goes down the medic isn't there instantly.

I found that in a forest environment the best way to move is to spread out in a massive group - if you have a contact (you know because your guy suddenly dies) as an SL you just have to look at the map, mark it, and all of a sudden the other 5 guys descend on the marker from every angle, a total zerg mallet that flanks immediately.

[Danger_6]

you don't always want the medic there instantly. Neutralize the target before rezing. <3

[Warfighter]

It sucks when it happens to you... But when your sitting on a building in Muttrah City lets say, and you got a 40MM prepped and ready, and you see 3 heads pop out, and then you fire, and you go to confirm the dead and you find 6... its a good feeling!

[Mikemonster]

You confirm the dead?!