Tips for Squad Leading (v1.0 and v0.98)

[Heskey]

Hi all,

I'm thinking of getting into squad leading. The best games I've had on PR I can always trace them back to having a good squad leader.

They are the driving force of work, and the gel in the team. With good squad leaders, comes good team work.

Like everyone else, I've also had terrible games, where all the decent squads are either full or locked, and all you can do is join the half-abandoned Squad 8, who's leader is trying to 1-man a tank, and there's no medic. You spend the game charging into the enemy, and spawning back at main. Not fun.

So, I'm thinking the best way to ensure that I stop having rounds like this, is to become a good squad leader myself. I've never really done it before.

Aside from the obvious reading of the relevant sections of the manual, can any veteran, or good squad leaders give me the benefit of their experience in terms of tips, people management, kit load outs, tactics?

I'm away for the weekend but will check the thread from time to time on my phone. Enjoy the last few days of the beta guys - and thank you [R-DEV]s for this glorious game!

[Nugiman]

the main thing is to keep your squad together. the kits itself arent the most important thing (but btw: medic (x2), AR, grenadier, lat, specialist are the standards).
just make sure you have people in your squad who are willing to follow orders, sometimes some just really want to lonewolf. kick them from your squad, it makes it easier to command the rest.

to squadlead is like tending a flock, you have to tell single members when they go off too much to come back, tell the orders and plans so they know whats going on and will follow you. main key is to talk much to keep your squad informed about whats going on, and whats the orders. enemy positions, move markers, destination.

the rest mostly comes itself, often i have a bit a democratic system of orders, i ask my squadmembers what they think is best next to do to have some input myself, squadleader orders arent always perfect just keep the squad together and it will work!

[PoisonBill]

You can gather the essentials from other SL's in good rounds, but after that you have to create your own style.

[Vista]

Get good squad members.

[Spec]

An important thing for anyone who hasn't played in a while is map knowledge, in my opinion. That's sometimes underrated. I myself haven't played much lately, prior to 1.0, and I wouldn't dare to squad lead right now, but primarily because I would feel a bit lost - not sure where the most effective attack routes, best positions, typical enemy emplacements are, what kind of vehicles to expect in a given situation, and so on.

[ghostfool84]

Knowing the map, good places for Fob and the usual attack routes is useful when you lead a squad. But most important is your squad. Are all members are willing to play as squad? Sometimes people lonewolfing in your squad because they never get used to play with a real squad that stays and fight together. Give it at least a try to involve these before you kick them. Make always sure you have a minimum kit lloadout in your squad (medic, specialist, AR, if you have only one medic, or HAT/LAT a rifleman is always useful) For intersquad communication try to find out wich squad is respondingand willing to work together with you and try to plan attacks together. To make sure that nobody get lost use your markers often and tell your squad want you want to do.

[Rudd]

Keep a relevant squad marker active at all times! You're squad will benefit from something to orientate themselves with.

[MADsqirrel]

IMO it is most important to motivate your squad and to have some fun with them.
If they like to play with you they will follow your orders.
Tell them what you want to do, be friendly when someone is having problems and be strict if someone is doing something you dont like/need (sniper) in your squad.
Listen to your SM, for their ideas. When you change your plans, explain why it is needed.
Dont demand victory from your SQ, but lead them, so they have the best position to win.

Communicate with other SL as often as you can. Inter SQ coms win the game, not assets and kills alone. Give enemy positions, tell other SL your plans and request help from other SQs. Warn the havoc of AA; warn your APC for HAT; warn inf from the sniper!

IMO knowing the map does help, but really isnt that important. I always SL even if I havent played a map a single time before.
This is not some average fast paced shooter, where you have to know every possible sniper location.

Squadleading Squirrel

[Cossack]

I think this should go to Tales of the Front, no?

[Wicca]

Tell your squad where you are going. So many Squadleaders assume markers are enough. Talk and engage your squad, so they know whats going on.

[cyberzomby]

Keep a relevant squad marker active at all times! You're squad will benefit from something to orientate themselves with.

Agreed with this. Just keep talking to your squad about what you are thinking on doing, wanting to do and going to do. Thats what I do and usually it works out great. Keeps your squad in the know. People follow you around, come up with there own suggestions and work nicely together.

Map knowledge for me is not that important. I just look at the map, try to figure out if theres shadows or defences on the location and see how I want to swing my squad around. When I get there I just look around and see what defences there are and use them.

[Heavy Death]

- Brief your squad on your plans (future and current)
- Dont be an *******, but be strict, tell people what to do and in an hour, they will have an idea what you want from them (if this is the first time youre playing with them)
- Youre probably the only one with binocs so use that, scout every area youre about to move in for atleast a minute is the situation permits
- Keep your distance from the enemy at all times if possible
- Use your squadmembers abilities and kits to the max potential (That means firing squads worth of ammo in a single 5 minute firefight if necesarry)
- Have supplies ready
- Keep a slow pace

[Tarranauha200]

Keep your squad together, dont let individual members wander off.

[Tit4Tat]

always have a plan, no matter what.

[doop-de-doo]

First off, I hope you aren't 12 years old, for your sake. I will attempt to touch the sky, I mean, suggest what to do for 1.0.

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Being an SL is more than just organizing people and pushing them around them map. In any army, people are an asset. What really does the shooting, guns, tanks, and planes? What really ensures that flags cap or stay capped? It's people, am I right?

As an SL, you become responsible for that group of team assets. That means a possible 1/7 of the team's chances of survival rests on your abilities.

Now what I say here might sound obvious, but some people forget what to do:

Focus on one of these three objectives. The current attack obj, the current defense obj, the current neutralized obj. Choose one of them only. Don't cap and run off, unless someone says they will defend for you.

If insurgency, focus on the current cache, unless there are two known caches up for grabs.

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Next is to create a basic set of tools you think the obj will need. Are you going to ambush, force entry, siege, cover, clear out? Is there imminent armor involved? Assign those tools to your squad members. Volunteers, are better than deserters.

Don't expect your SMs to respond how (or go where) they should. It's your job to tell them what you expect.

Describe the basic structure for any plan you have and let them act it out. It's a lot less work and stress than micro-managing everything.

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Communication to other squads can be complicated. The only thing I would enforce, is that you pass along any intel. If detrimental to the team, send it to all SLs. If important to a select group or groups, pass it on to them only, to keep the channels clear.

How you decide to coordinate your maneuvers with other squads is up to you and the other squads.

[Archosaurus]

Well, I have not SL'd much in the beta, but always, always say if you need a kit of some kind.
Always tell people individually what to do, not just "Guys shoot that BMP at 300", prefer to say "Bob, shoot that BMP at 300 and Billy suppress that infantry at 150" etc.
MAKE SURE your mic is working properly. I went a whole round with no one listening because my volume was so stupidly low.
Always tell people to take individual kits. Even if they do not know how to use them, unless its something very specific, make them take it if you really need it.
On the last point, know how to use every kit in the game and be able to teach people.
Call out targets, make markers, spot for your squad, direct them, babysit them.

[VerdwaaldOdyssey]

One thing, don't be afraid to fail, the PR community is an awesome one and people will be more likely to aid you then harass you if you don't really know what you are doing or are messing up. Don't be afraid to take idea's from your SM, until you are sure that you know what your doing, your SM's will probably have better ideas.

Try and keep yourself alive, stay back like a medic and watch your squad when the enemy presence isn't too threatening, this is going to be pretty hard to do as you'll almost always be taking point, but you are much more useful alive to your squad then dead.

[Gracler]

Always tell people individually what to do, not just "Guys shoot that BMP at 300", prefer to say "Bob, shoot that BMP at 300 and Billy suppress that infantry at 150" etc.

This is a classic mistake of many Squad-leaders. Someone get a truck.... either everyone goes for a truck or no one goes for a truck.

Throw one grenade in-there.... everyone with grenades throw one in.

It is a really good idea to be specific with assigning tasks to members, instead of vague orders like "someone go medic". The only problem with this is that players names are very often tongue-breaking to pronouns so even though you try hard the person your calling might not understand its him your calling out.

[WPX_XRAY]

Heskey, I think I had you in my squad this week.


These are some tips that helped me in being a SL.

-I think a important note that Squad leaders often forget is to compliment their SM when they are doing the jobs that you have given them in the way you wanted them to do it.
This creates a clear picture for your SM to see how you actually want it and everybody likes it when they are complimented on a job well done.

-When you are in a situation where you have to make a decision, try asking your SM their kit specialization opinion and how they think they can do their job the best way possible. (fire-positions, covering arc etc.)
Your SM keep on thinking with each situation that is coming up and know what their roll will be.
SM are more involved in the plan and it keeps the fun level higher

- As a SL don't take point in a patrol order, let a SM take point and don't be afraid to stop micro-managing.
This so you can focus on being a 100% SL instead of also watching your surroundings constantly.
You have a better overview of the situation and your squad when you are walking in the center of the patrol order.

[Archosaurus]

This is a classic mistake of many Squad-leaders. Someone get a truck.... either everyone goes for a truck or no one goes for a truck.

Throw one grenade in-there.... everyone with grenades throw one in.

It is a really good idea to be specific with assigning tasks to members, instead of vague orders like "someone go medic". The only problem with this is that players names are very often tongue-breaking to pronouns so even though you try hard the person your calling might not understand its him your calling out.

Still better than vague requests.

I have experience leading people, although not in the military, so I always face the person who I want to do whatever and talk to them in local chat.
If its a huge fuckup situation, then some squad chat mic yelling does the trick, but not as well.

Another tip from me is: Set a good example.
Check corners, use ammo wisely, do not engage enemies with no thought.
Also, be mindful of your squadmate's or other commanders advice.
They may have less experience, but they can see what you can't.
I am very pissed off because one time a squadleader was telling every squad to rush a position which had tons of people in it and armored vehicles.
I told everyone in SL chat to not do that because I have direct eyes on the area which they do not because I had got separated. No one listened.
I do not know if the push succeeded or not, but I feel it did not. Everyone was in one hotspot.