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

[Gracler]

How do you guys get your squad to regroup effectively after being spread out or falling apart?
I'm thinking of two main scenarios here. In my experience, these are rare but tough situations to fix.
1. You inherited the squad from a leaving SL and SM's are spread out across the map. Some of them have issues getting trans to your location.
2. You were in a long engagement and remained alive while many SM's died and respawned. You may be finished fighting or still in the middle of it but want to get your squad back together.

I've SL'd before and I just figured I'd ask my own question since the responses have been great so far.

-A tip from me would be to always build a fob whether attacking or defending. It gets harder as the round progresses but a spawn point is something you need to make sure you have. Nothing is worse for morale than the nearest spawn point being across the map.

It is always a good idea to try to appoint someone your XO (next in command) especially with 1.0 8 men squads. In the case that people start to get split up chances are your XO is with that other fraction and can keep things organised until you regroup.

Ofc. fobs and rally's should be kept available but often it is just not possible to accomplish.

Having an XO in charge of a fire-team is valuable in other situations too.

In the case that you don't have anyone suitable as an XO another way could be to keep dead people from spawning until you can make a rally or fob, or to simply regroup in main base. It will be boring for the people waiting around but it is ultimately better than continue to die 1 by 1 all over the map.

Personally I don't like to lead much but I'm okay with taking care of 2 or 3 guys as a fire-team and it takes away some micro-managing from the SL.
Reason I prefer to be XO is that then i know that there is 1 other person in the squad with a plan (hopefully) and I can help boost his leadership.

If im a squad-member and I die and there is no rally... and no fob near the SL then i automactially go on standby mode and wait until the SL die and spawn where he spawns or I spawn on his new rally or fob.
Spawning in main and getting a heli ride or taking a transport for yourself is just a waste of assets really.

[redman0123]

The way I SL is:

1) Always use the move and observe markers in combo with *repeated* voice commands to your squad in squad chat. This ensures everyone is on the same page and helps you descern all non - hackers.

2) Keep your squad relatively close and focused on a task. "Defend this building! Watch all the doors!" and repeat it every once in a while for the downy players

3) Have fun! Don't micro manage unless you have to! People are generally smart enough to self preserve! If someone wants a marksman kit and youre playing an open map -let them-

4) Try not to run out infront! Give your squad a move marker and make the rifle men go first! I like using a column formation that is lead by a move marker, while I hang out in the back. Some maps - mainly urban maps- tend to do better with the squad split in two but staying close to each other.

EDIT: See also Graclers post above!

[Frontliner]

I think the easiest way to develop your own style of squadleading is to go with what you feel is the most comfortable squadleader to have as a regular squadmember, perhaps mimic a certain person you know as closely as possible. But since this is also a suggestion thread, allow me to throw in a few helpful snippets as well:

1. Establish what you want to do with your squad, an assault squad may need different weapons compared to a defensive squad. Some people will observe the kit loadout and grab a medic e.g. if nobody else does. But if you don't know any of the guys you're playing with, you're better off thinking that nobody will and everybody grabs a 1337 kit.
2. Plan carefully and ahead of time, the situation on the battlefield doesn't change too drastically most of the time so you can take little steps when moving out. These little steps on the path to the objective allow your mates to stay focused on a task in sight.
3. Try reversing the situation. If you were the enemy, where would you built an FOB/defend from/attack from?
4. Talk, talk, talk. The more you say, the surer it is that it will be done. This doesn't mean you never let go of the chat button, but you need to communicate in order to succeed. This is true for both within the squads and within the SQLs/commander.
5. Try playing with a mate. For the first few rounds you'll most likely have too many things to focus on at once(getting used to squadlead chat, people talking, strategic decision making). If you have somebody with you in Teamspeak or w/e, he can lend you a hand and reduce the burden a little bit.

[MiG-29]

I don't lead INF squads, unless absolutely needed, i just don't like to do that. Usually i like to be 2nd after SQ.LDR.
Giving usefull or shitty advises, if i am familiar with the map. I can aswell take care of a fire team ~3 ppl.

[Archosaurus]

How do you guys get your squad to regroup effectively after being spread out or falling apart?
I'm thinking of two main scenarios here. In my experience, these are rare but tough situations to fix.
1. You inherited the squad from a leaving SL and SM's are spread out across the map. Some of them have issues getting trans to your location.
2. You were in a long engagement and remained alive while many SM's died and respawned. You may be finished fighting or still in the middle of it but want to get your squad back together.

I've SL'd before and I just figured I'd ask my own question since the responses have been great so far.

-A tip from me would be to always build a fob whether attacking or defending. It gets harder as the round progresses but a spawn point is something you need to make sure you have. Nothing is worse for morale than the nearest spawn point being across the map.

The way I get my squad to regroup is as follows, and let us assume I have no SL kit so no rally points and they're all up anyway.

I tell them what is going on. Ask them what they are doing. Formulate a plan to regroup. Place a marker on the most convenient area where they can all reach in the best amount of time.

If someone is very, very far away, I tell them to assist the fight wherever they are, then respawn at an FOB of my choosing while I regroup the rest of my squad to an area near it.

[Heskey]

Thanks for all the tips guys, they're great.

Does anyone have a link to the most up to date player manual? From Google I can only find v0.96.

[lucky.BOY]

There is a link to the manual in the launcher, but .96 sounds like the latest version to me.

[Wicca]

dont be afraid to remove people from your squad. And dont be afraid to commend a player infront of everyone.

Learning the social aspect of squadleading. How to control people, is important. Trial and error is the best way.

[Archosaurus]

dont be afraid to remove people from your squad. And dont be afraid to commend a player infront of everyone.

Learning the social aspect of squadleading. How to control people, is important. Trial and error is the best way.

This.
Everyone likes a squad leader who is friendly and social, no one likes a squad leader who is elitist and mean. No one likes SM's of that variety either.

[KiloJules]

Well, idk. I am not playing this game (especially Squad Leading) to be "liked" by anyone.

When I lead, I have pretty strict rules. Especially regarding respawn behavior, communication, taking kits unasked and following orders. And especially compared to many public players I played under. I wouldn't say, that I am mean but I am also not trying not to be! If I put a marker and have to repeat my orders 3 times just for you, you will get your head washed (when I am in the mood) or just earn a kick from the squad!

And still, I lead multiple rounds of 8men inf over the BETA and people often left with "good game, thanks for leading!"-comments. The good thing about PR is that noone is forcing you to spend time with a certain person. Don't like the way the SL does stuff, leave the squad (and step up yourself). Don't like how a certain member plays, kick him.

Yes, the community needs SLs more than anything. But we need SLs that want to be better and have their members be better, because they are leading, cause of the way they lead!

--------------

Leading in PR is split into separate sections:

There is the technical side, which contains all the rules and data you must know as a SL. How many FOBs can we place?
How far is the overrun radius of a RP? Which kit contains which tools? How many seats are in a certain vehicle?
How to attack/defend certain building types? Which formations and tactics actually can be applied in the PR universe?
etc. peh peh!!! There are hundreds of these questions you need to be able to answer!

There is the thing about "map knowledge". I list this as a separate point because it is the most damn important one!
What angles to attack from? What are good defense locations? How do I get my men from here to there without being spotted? What sort of vehicles will we encounter in this layer? Which building (or part of) is still in cap range, which isn't? And many, many more.

And yeah sure, there is a "social aspect" to it as well. You can be generally relaxed, make a joke once in a while or not.
To me personally that doesn't matter. SLs job is to get a group of more or less strange people to work towards a common goal. This goes up- and downward so to speak. You need to activate your squad members but you also want to try to work together with the other SLs. Whether you achieve this by being nice to everyone or simply by being better, creating better working plans and/or showing better knowledge about sth. is up to you! I, personally, sure try to achieve it through the latter!


OP, good luck with your future endeavours in SLing!!

[Gracler]

There is the technical side, which contains all the rules and data you must know as a SL. How many FOBs can we place?
How far is the overrun radius of a RP? Which kit contains which tools? How many seats are in a certain vehicle?
How to attack/defend certain building types? Which formations and tactics actually can be applied in the PR universe?
etc. peh peh!!! There are hundreds of these questions you need to be able to answer!

There is the thing about "map knowledge". I list this as a separate point because it is the most damn important one!
What angles to attack from? What are good defense locations? How do I get my men from here to there without being spotted? What sort of vehicles will we encounter in this layer? Which building (or part of) is still in cap range, which isn't? And many, many more.

I think the most important skill for a squad-leader is the ability to adapt and when to stay the course.

All those things mentioned above is not a problem if you can quickly adapt to the situation, of course you might win a few moments but it is nothing major in the big picture, and the question could most likely be answered by asking your squad-members most of the time.

As I think I wrote before already, a good squad-leader is not the best player, he is simply the best leader. Being the best player is just a small bonus.

[a3dboy1]

I don't know why noone said this before:

GOOD MICROPHONE

Seriously, guys, you can't imagine how annoying it is when SL has background noises or is too quiet when speaking over mic.

Deal with it: SL = MIC button rape

[KingKong.CCCP]

If you have been playing this game for years now, it doesn't matter if you think you suck at leading. It doesn't matter if someone is calling you *********. There are many people without experienced and the community needs experienced guys to take responsibility. Believe in yourself. Maybe you will never be the best of the best, but you will do good. That's enough.
That's my life philosophy actually.

[redman0123]

Agreed! I'm not the best SL ever and I mess up all the time! I know lots of dudes who are better at it than me (actually designating fields of fire for each SM, two fire teams etc) and they make it seem like a breeze, when thats not the case. But regardless, if you get in the arena and put in the effort, you'll have a positive impact on the team, and learn valuble skills for the RL.

[Heskey]

Hi all,

I've lead a couple of squads now, all infantry based, on Skirmish and AAS maps. We've had some good results as well.

I'm getting the hang of identifying necessary kit load-outs, doing mumble checks, keep reiterating our objective, and moving my squad based on the location and needs of other squads, such as placing FOBs behind our lines when the team has made a push up, or dropping an alternate sneaky FOB so our team can spawn from another direction when the fighting has turned into a war of attrition.

If you see me in game, feel free to encourage me to SL and join me =]

[matty1053]

Make sure you communicate w/ Mumble.

Have Mics.

Listen To commander, unless he spams your orders constantly.

Have fun.

[slappymcnutface]

If you need a squad member to do something, don't just say "hey, somebody grab a LAT kit and watch over this hill to the south"; be specific and give names. Say "hey, Hesky, grab a lat kit and watch over this hill to the south".

Also keep the decisions flowing. It's alright to think for a second but keep your squad on the move. We're all playing video games and have some ADD so it's best to keep everyone in your squad engaged in some way.


Also, make the right calls; know how to win, where to defend, when to attack.

And remember, you're here to have fun. If you're having fun, chances are the rest of the squad will as well. Sometimes I find myself taking a squad from defense on a flag that hasn't seen action in a long time, to go attack simply because we're bored as fuck. We may lose the flag because of it, but sitting around wasting time is too high a price just to win a video game.

[L4gi]

I think knowing game mechanics and how all the maps play are more important aspects of SLing than most other things.

[Murkey]

Lots of good advice in this thread.

I have some (oldish) videos on the technical stuff and communication stuff in my sig.

Something I find useful is to keep your squad members in the loop. Chances are, many SM's have been playing for a while, so don't just ask for advice, but give them dynamic goals or objectives.

For example, you've done a mic check, kit load out etc. Now it's time to move out. So tell them what the objective is, how you're going to proceed towards the objective, what their priorities are and how you want advice or intel relayed.

It's a fine balance between relying on the SM's initiative and skill, whilst maintaining cohesion and speed.

Finally comms, comms comms. Nothing worse than being the only SL talking in mumble.

Cheers, Murkey.