New to Game -- A Few Simple Questions

[imported_Zach]

I just bought this game a few days ago, and after playing a full evening in SP mode and a couple of nights in MP, I have most of the gameplay mechanics figured out, but I still have a couple of questions. ([sarcasm]Thank you, Dice, for all the time and effort you put into putting together a top-notch manual![/sarcasm] :p)

Note: I've updated to the lastest 1.02 patch in case that is relevant to any of my questions.

UI Interface

Server Menu
Why is it that when I change any of my server filters, my server list empties out? By this I mean even if I set the filters back to what they were before, the list still remains empty. (Apply, Refresh, and Update all do nothing.) The only way to get the server list back is to exit and restart. Is this a bug?

Map Loading Screen
What exactly is the purpose of selecting (and/or unselecting) the auto-ready option in the initial map screen? It seems to have no noticeable effect.

Team/Kit Selection/Squad Menu
A couple of times while online, I"ve accidentally switched teams by misclicking (i.e., playing on Chinese team, go for Kit tab, accidentally click on US tab, etc.). Fine, my mistake, but how come the game won't let me switch BACK?


Gameplay

Squads
How come no one seems to want to join squads? Admittedly, my server choices have been based exclusively on its ping, so this is just a general question. (I'm sure there are many dedicated clan servers out there that focus on teamplay, but since I haven't found them, odds are their ping is too high for me to accepted on.)

I've even did a team speak, "Come, guys, 17 of you are playing solo. Join a squad! :-)" And the response I got was, "Squads are locked." I didn't understand that. I was able to join (and also leave) squads, so why couldn't they?

Engineer
The transport helicopter is the only vehicle an engineer can repair while inside it, right? And if I'm an engineer and am riding as gunner in a tank, why won't the driver (who is always the squad leader in my case so I assume he is not a noob) ever allow me to get out and fix the tank? (Scenario: We finish a fire fight; no more enemies in sight; he just sits there for a second, so I jump out to repair the tank, and the dude just ups and drives off while I'm in the middle of repairing it!)

[Wranger4400]

Why don't you just buy the stradegy guide?

[badasafish]

A couple of times while online, I"ve accidentally switched teams by misclicking (i.e., playing on Chinese team, go for Kit tab, accidentally click on US tab, etc.). Fine, my mistake, but how come the game won't let me switch BACK?

To stop you switching teams, looking at the map to see where the "enemies" are and to switch back using this intel to your teams advantage.

[dmonkey]

Answer to the engineer question, most people run off because they are idiots.

[imported_Zach]

Why don't you just buy the stradegy guide?

Do you work for Bradygames or something?

And if not, what's the point of a public forum if one can't post on them to ask questions?

[Jeebus007]

Why don't you just buy the stradegy guide?

because that would cost money :p

anyways, to answer your questions:

- the server list thing is probably a bug. i've personally never had it happen to me, but hey, its EA lol.
- the auto-ready function is for servers who demand that everybody be "ready" before they can start the game. most servers don't have this, so the auto-ready thing is kinda pointless.
- the game won't let u switch teams that rapidly as a safeguard against ppl who switch to a winning team, and if the tables turn, they switch back to the other team.

- nobody seems to want to join squads because they're just idiots. most goo players will join squads, so if u do see squads on your team, its usually a good sign :)
- your driver prolly just didnt notice that u had left the tank. when things get heated up in battle, ppl rarely glance at their tank positions icon to see if there's anybody in the gunner's seat. maybe next time, before u get out, let your driver kno so he can stay put.

hope this helps...

[imported_Zach]

To stop you switching teams, looking at the map to see where the "enemies" are and to switch back using this intel to your teams advantage.

Ah, okay. That makes sense. Thanks! :)

[DoubleVee]

Ah, okay. That makes sense. Thanks! :)

Also, what probably happened is that, the Chinese had more people than USMC, so when you switched to USMC, you kind of balanced the teams...and cuz the team were still uneven it didn't let you go back..

btw, about the Squads.. press Caps Lock, when you are a squad leader, then Manage Squad, and just select random people(5)...and press Apply...it will send a message to those people and ask them if they want to join your Squad (Yes/No)...I don't know what you meant by TeamSpeak(Voice[b] or Chat[k])...with voice, you can only talk to your squad...

Engineer...you can repair when in a Transport Helicopter/Boat/or Jeep...all other don't apply cuz you are in the gunner's position(APC, Tank, Co-pilot)

With the Server browser...I have kind of the same problems...like...I can't get a server list when I have all 3 options(Small,Med.,Large maps)...just try choosing the same options you had before and jsut press Update

[imported_Zach]

the server list thing is probably a bug. i've personally never had it happen to me, but hey, its EA lol.

This actually first happened to me when I tried testing out the "Ping" edit box to see if would accept expressions, e.g., "< 100" (no quotes). That emptied the list immediately, and when I cleared the edit box, I still couldn't get the server list back no matter how many times I clicked on Refresh or Update Servers.

Then yesterday I noticed that if I changed any of the filter settings, the same thing would happen. This isn't a show-stopper, I know, but it's still annoying.

- your driver prolly just didnt notice that u had left the tank. when things get heated up in battle, ppl rarely glance at their tank positions icon to see if there's anybody in the gunner's seat. maybe next time, before u get out, let your driver kno so he can stay put.

Oh, I've tried that a few times, but understandably, with all the other messages popping up on the screen all the time, the guy would never notice.

[imported_Zach]

btw, about the Squads.. press Caps Lock, when you are a squad leader, then Manage Squad, and just select random people(5)...and press Apply...it will send a message to those people and ask them if they want to join your Squad (Yes/No).

Yeah, I know how to form squads and send out invites, but in my current "noob phase" (remember, I just started playing only a couple of days ago), I'm not looking to lead a squad yet. :cry: Eventually, yes, but for now, no.

It's just frustrating sometimes to be new to the game and wanting to learn from others' via their leadership skills, but alas, no one wants to take on the leadship roles. (Again, I will take on the role myself eventually [and soon], but as the noob I am now, it would only hurt the team, and I don't want that.)

Okay, well, I'm not meaning to sound as negative as I'm coming across. In the past two days, I've had some great fun so far ( ), all of which came from the couple of good rounds I've played where the squads were full and there was good coordination. I guess I'm just being greedy by wanting more of that.