Greetings/Feedback/SL pointers

[GeneralFondle]

Whats up guys, I've been watching PR videos on youtube on and off for the past two years, last month I finally assembled my PC and got right on it. A few things of note;

1. This is by far the most enjoyable FPS games I have ever played

2. The level of teamwork (even on servers where people apparently have ADHD) is astounding. I used to play competitively for a clan on Battlefield 3/4 but was always frustrated by the redundancy of using tactics. Cohesion between squads was limited to "Squad x go to point y, squad x go to point z". But this, this is exactly what I was looking for.

3. The community seems to be one of the better out there; even though I've lacked a mic people have been accommodating despite the vast gulf of skill that separates me from them.

4. Legitimately boner inducing, even when getting stomped by CAS on Ia Drang.

5. Shoveling is fun, even if it took me four hours plus of gameplay to realise you HOLD DOWN the LMB.

Enough of me fluffing the DEVs and community, and down to a serious question;

My headset is arriving in the mail this Friday, at which point I'd like to try playing as SL after a few more hours experience. I've had previous experience playing as SL in other games, so the fundamentals I have on lock. I'd just like to ask for some general knowledge that I couldn't gleam from the manual.

What squad roles should I be looking to start with? What is the limit on Squad Assets? How important is knowing the maps? (like I say, I've logged gametime enough to be partially familiar with a most of the maps, but is that enough?) and lastly, should I hold off on trying SL until I'm more 'settled' into the community at large?

Thanks in advance!


p.s how long do Logis take to spawn in (if they don't at the beginning of a round)? I've always fancied myself as a boring old Logi driver, but I don't want to risk destroying the teams logistics infrastructure.

[Murkey]

Welcome! I'm at work so I'll quickly answer some of your Qu's:
Squad roles - start with rifleman in an inf squad, avoid assets to start with. Then work with other kits like medic, AR etc. Try to avoid the limited stuff like HAT/Sniper until you've played a bit more. Just look for inf squads and tell the SL you're new.

Squad asset rule vary by server, but generally you want to be in the squad named after the asset. See the squad leading videos in my signature. They're old, but will answer most of your questions.

Map knowledge is pretty important, but you can alway ask other squad members for advice or suggestions on the large scale tactics, I still do after 6 or 7 years

Finally I'd say hold of on squad leading until you've played more, unless there is no one else doing it. Even then stick to simple stuff like infantry and and the squad members for advice. Besides my videos (in my sig) there are lots of other tutorials on the forum and on youtube. From memory Slorgs has made videos as well.

Finally finally spawn times for assets vary by map, but usually only a few minutes after round start (if not immediately) and FOBs are always good, a small fob squad is often a good idea.

Welcome again. Cheers, Murkey.

p.s. sorry for poor formatting /spelling - I'm at work.

p.p.s. - see the new player training from Wikka and the PRTA guys - https://www.realitymod.com/forum/f10-pr ... ty-14.html

[PricelineNegotiator]

It seems like you already have enough experience to squad lead. I would recommend starting off with a 6 man infantry squad. Before the round is the most important time for planning.

Make sure that when they join your squad at the beginning of the round, you do a mic check on each individual. After that, proceed to delegating kits for the players. Essentially, you'll want to have everything on the spawn screen. Specialist, SAW, 2x Medics and a Grenadier or LAT are essential. I typically lean to the LAT, as the grenadiers role is not as crucial as the LAT in my opinion. You'll learn which you feel is best after time. Make sure after you've given each person roles, that you ask the squad to spawn at a certain point on the map and the initial direction to head (troop carrier, APC for transport, on foot, etc). Ask if they have any questions from that point to make sure everything is clear.

Be up front with your squad that you are new to squadleading and the game in general. Most players that have stuck around are veterans and will be glad to see someone new AND stepping up. I would expect that some squad leaders will raise you on SL radio and give you hell about not doing exactly what the team needs. You can't know that by now, so I wouldn't worry about it. Just ask them what they think you should be doing and adjust from there.

Everything else is kind of up in the air, since the battles are pretty dynamic. Always make sure you tell your squadmates to do something, not how to do it, that is one of the most effective ways of giving orders.

[Nate.]

Glad you like the game,

actually (assuming you don't have a headset/mic (?) right now), you should do some more squad-membering with a mic until trying to Squadlead. It can be quite harsh, especially with random players joining you.

Here's a video of Murkey my clanmate doing Squadleading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OdZ-RX4F7w (You can join us in TS and on NEW/MeRk servers, we teach you the grips )
Squadleading requires good knowledge of the game, not top notch military jargon and tactics knowledge.

Another tip: Please do not take Bluedrake42 as reference for what makes a good squad leader. Thank you.

[GeneralFondle]

Thanks for the warm welcome and suggestions guys, I'll probably play a few extra hours with my headset before diving into an SL position. Looking forward to getting involved with the community and such - and haha, whilst I like BlueDrake I'm not looking to emulate him; he seems decent enough though, and has an understandable obsession with super FOBs from what I gather.

Furthermore I just played an incredibly tense game of INS with a very good SL and squad, picked up a thing or two about the game (Taliban guys with knifes are terrifying, mainly)

[StevePl4y5]

You don't need to be an expert tactician to be a Squad Leader. The basis behind Squad Leading is being able to get your men to follow your lead.

- "Treat your men well, and they will follow you into the deepest of valleys".

This is quite literally true, even in PR. Sure, you'll find the usual trolls, but the common PR player answers to this rule. The whole shouting at your men only works if you can reward them for their effort, that means 1: you have to be a good tactician, and 2: you have to be good at saying stuff like "Boys, you're giving me a hard on!". Shouting IS NOT: to insult, to depreciate, to criticize. You give constructive feedback after engagements, and you give out compliments to good efforts and actions. If you can, try to sound relaxed, don't be the one to panic everytime there's contact, and try to sound confident.

In my opinion, everything else is just common knowledge. PR's fast action will not allow for super elaborate tactics and plans anyways, after all, the best plans break on first contact.

Good luck mate, see you around

[Kingy]

There's a couple of guides worth reading out there and you might want to browse through this section of the forums.

Oskar wrote a decent SL guide, worth a quick read.

Guide to Squad Leading

Generally I would say even a few weeks is too little time to be effective at squad leading, It won't hurt to try but there is a fairly steep learning curve.
Join squads labelled 'mumble inf' or just 'Inf', squads with sensible names. Pay attention to the SL and those you enjoy being led by try to imitate and take from to create you own style of play.

Regardless keep your cool and never place blame.

[fatalsushi83]

Here's how I got into leading:

1. Played as infantry for a few months, becoming familiar with each individual kit and what role it plays within the squad. Also learned a lot of the jargon while doing this (VCP, RTB, BMP, COW, CAS, etc. )
2. Started leading for the insurgent team on the insurgency game mode because its much less complicated than leading on AAS (you don't have to worry about logistics, coordination with transport choppers and APCS, etc.).
3. Finally started leading on AAS (and I'm still not nearly as good as I'd like to be).

Basically, until a lot of things become second-nature to you its very challenging to lead because there's so much multi-tasking involved. But if you absolutely want to do it as early as possible, I suggest leading insurgent/taliban forces on insurgency because it's usually much less complicated and will help you to get a lot of the basics down (such as what effective FOB locations are, how to get people to listen to you, etc.)

And yeah, be firm and confident but don't get angry with your squad.

Good luck!

[Arab]

A lot of people, including me get "stage-fright" How to overcome it?

[oblivio69]

You should start by playing rifleman then medic. After you get used with how the game plays you can start using the more fun kits like the LAT/HAT kits which are the most fun in my opinion since a lot of times the survival of your squad comes to that one shot that you have to take (you are not allowed to miss ) or MMG/LMG and you will just suppress the f*uck out of everyone .

After that you should start learning how to play with armor which is also fun .

In regards to squadleading you shouldn't do it now , wait a bit , learn the game , learn the maps , learn what is doable and what is not . Also playing squadleard is a bit annoying at times and it is not as enjoyable as playing as a simple squad member since a lot of times you have to micro-manage your guys.

All in all , enjoy this game , it's one of the best FPS games .

One thing I 100% agree with you is the level of teamwork that you can find in this game ... I mean even in ARMA you won't be able to find public servers with this level of teamwork (though if you join a community there you will be able to find more teamwork ) .

P.S
If you really wanna learn how to squadlead watch a few tutorials on youtube, read the PRTA guide to squadleading and pay attention to your squadleader if he is good and learn from him . (and don't be that squadleader that yells and gets angry and starts cursing <me> )

[fatalsushi83]

A lot of people, including me get "stage-fright" How to overcome it?

not to sound like your psychiatrist or anything but i think the trick is to just accept the fact that youre going to be nervous. dont try to force yourself not to be nervous or try to hide it from your squad. if you take on that mindset and just keep on leading, over and ovet again, that nervous feeling will probably go away with time. at least thats how it worked for me. plus just think of some of the most incompetent pr squad leaders youve ever played with...how could you do worst than them?

[Wicca]

If you want someone to train you to be a squadleader I can help you out m8.

Ill show u how to rek people.

[GeneralFondle]

If you want someone to train you to be a squadleader I can help you out m8.

Ill show u how to rek people.

m8 I'll train u, I'm euphoric

[Danger_6]

I have played this game for many years, most of which I have spent squad leading. The one piece of advice I can offer you is this:

Never stop learning. You will never know everything. Always take failure as an opportunity to evolve.

[GeneralFondle]

Thanks for the advice guys, just SLd on Burning Sands, previous SL left so I stepped up. Managed to effectively take down an enemy FOB, AA and AT. Brief yet mildly successful stint with one casualty and one major balls up (calling in CAS without seeing AA hidden in a depression by the side of a road). Got some flack for it, obviously, but I was very much encouraged by decent SMs and the likes. This game is mega.

[LARIV]

Thanks for the advice guys, just SLd on Burning Sands, previous SL left so I stepped up. Managed to effectively take down an enemy FOB, AA and AT. Brief yet mildly successful stint with one casualty and one major balls up (calling in CAS without seeing AA hidden in a depression by the side of a road). Got some flack for it, obviously, but I was very much encouraged by decent SMs and the likes. This game is mega.

I think it was I who left.

Like everyone else said.. just step up and do it. It's really not as daunting as most people would think. It just seems intimidating.

#1 suggestion would be to get your squad comms down. Numpad 1-9 and stay in touch with other squads. Always think about what you're going to say so it is clear and concise - let the listener know what squad you are from and where possible directly communicate with their squad using their appropriate number (squad 2 = numpad 2). Using * also works but that's for all 9 squads, so minimize traffic on this channel. This is the #1 thing for SL'ing effectively. Knowing where enemy squads, assets and FOB's are as well as communicating enemy CAS, Armor, and infantry movements are critical to winning games.

#2 let you squad members know you are new. Let them know your expectations from the get go, and allow very little room for leeway. Don't rule with an ironfist but kick the guys who are in it just to steal a kit and sit on a roof and snipe. If your squad members are not listening to you, just kick them and move on. Give them a few chances, but don't let them push you around or frustrate you. Keep the guys who want to work together, remove the guys who don't. You and your SM's will appreciate it.. and you'll find that your SM's will follow you from round to round.

#3 keep it simple and always approach with a goal in mind. Don't needlessly move up. Use assets you have available (again, squad comms.) call in a chopper or APC to move your guys. focus on supporting your friendly squads or step up to defend if you see no one on a flag. The map is very useful in this game especially when your team is using it - plan using this asset and according to where you see your team. Taking and holding buildings is very effective in this game, but it is critical for you to establish defense everytime you stop. keep a leash on your squad members and consistently look around to make sure they are fighting the way you want. Spend more time managing your squad and let your guys do the work. Mark targets for them and tell them what targets to engage. Make sure your flanks are covered etc.

Best advice I can give you though is to simply take it slow and take your time. You don't need to rush every flag, a supported team with FOB's and 1 flag will do much better than an unsupported team who has rushed 4 flags but has 0 FOB's.

Also, never be afraid to back out of a fight. Break contact if you are losing, get out, heal, resupply, then try again from another angle. I see too many SL's committing their guys 100% to the fight with no back up or plan to get out. This is wasted tickets 101.

Other than that, welcome to the game

[GeneralFondle]

I think it was I who left.

Like everyone else said.. just step up and do it. It's really not as daunting as most people would think. It just seems intimidating.

Nope, my last game of the night I played with you as my SL, very nice aggresion and flanking movements by the way, they really didn't stand a chance ^^