Squad Leaders and what is expected from us?

[Ozirtz]

Squad Leaders and what is expected from us?

When I play as a squad leader I’m less interested in playing Rambo style and more into hanging back a bit so my team can keep spawning on me. I get as close to a base I can without compromising where they spawn. (Well hidden) I try to always give my team a base direction to cap and play as support or medic to supply or med them if needed.

My question is, what do you guys (players) expect from squad leaders and or members? Just want to make sure I am doing a stellar job while trying to lead our team into battle.

Something I know ticks me off while playing in a squad.
1. Squad leaders in tanks as gunner (can’t spawn on them)
2. Squad leaders in Attack Helos as gunner or pilots can’t spawn on them)

What do you guys think?

[skleg]

Re: Squad Leaders and what is expected from us?

I want a squad leader that is very vocal on VOIP and knows how to hang back, how to come forward when help is necessary, and most importantly is very vocal on VOIP. I love my new mic (I never had one before), and whenever I come onto a server I ask if anyone else has one. Please, if anyone else reads this, USE YOUR MICS MORE OFTEN. I want to be vocal with my SL and SM.

[imported_KC.JADE]

Re: Squad Leaders and what is expected from us?

Not many people will actually sit back like you suggested. Squad Leaders don't get extra points because of their position of command like commanders do, so there's nothing to entice them.

[stilla-killa]

Re: Squad Leaders and what is expected from us?

i sit back to a certain extent. like for instance my squad comes to a flag a stand back so my squad can spawn on me if need be to take the flag and when the coast is clear i go in to help turn the flag only after my squad has taken care of the enemy b/c if i go in with them amd get killed im useless to my squad

[Ozirtz]

Re: Squad Leaders and what is expected from us?

I never have used my voice chat, but I will start. I use teamspeak most of the time but will start VOIP as squad leader. Thanks for that, was not sure if people wanted to listen to me tell them what to do, but I guess some do.

As far as hanging back, your right not many do, but last night it was very effective on Karkand as Mec when USMC took the closest flag to their spawn, I was behind the fence watching the hill for snipers as my squad was busy trying to get that flag back. Worked well I had my squad packed by the end of the map onto the next round which we won cause of our squad. I don’t mind hanging back for a win, teamwork IMO is the only way to play.

Thanks for the feedback, hope there is more!!

[Scotty]

Re: Squad Leaders and what is expected from us?

I play as SL quite a bit when my buddy is playing, otherwise I just join a squad.

As SL, I find that I often times have more deaths than kills, simply because I do hang back and don't go rambo style into combat. It does work well for keeping my squad spawning around me though.

I try to always give waypoints and instructions so that they know where I'm headed, what I'm thinking about attacking/defending, etc. I'm also pretty vocal about telling people that we need an AT, Support, etc if we are lacking that.

I played with a couple really solid squads where everyone was using VOIP and that was a lot of fun. The squad was almost impossible to get rid of because the SL would hang back and the rest of us would spawn and fight. We had medics, support, and engies. Made for a good time.

I think the best things you can do as an SL are

- Issue commands. Attack, defend, and move. Make sure your squad knows what you are thinking before you just take off for somewhere and they run along blindly.

- If you must get in a vehicle, pick one that has several spots for your squadmates to spawn on you.

- Don't be the hero. Hang back and spot (this is very helpful so that they know where the enemy/armor is coming from) for them while they work. If you are a medic or support and can safely help one of them out or revive, then do so. Otherwise, hang back and let them spawn on you.

- Be polite. When they save your butt, say thanks. Letting other players know that you appreciate what they just did will often encourage them to help you out next time you need it.

- Use VOIP if the other guys are down to listen to you.

- If you must be a sniper, don't place claymores around you so that when they spawn they are staring at a claymore.

- If you see enemy mines in the road and your squad or any other teammate is rumbling down the road in a vehicle, stand next to the mine and if you have time, type out to look out for the mine. I have done this a number of times and prevented my guys from running over a mine.


Basically, as an SL you need to avoid combat if possible. Not as many points in it, but you will get the satisfaction of knowing you played an important role in the win.
If you must be rambo, then just join a squad and be a squad member.

[The Clap]

Re: Squad Leaders and what is expected from us?

Not many people will actually sit back like you suggested. Squad Leaders don't get extra points because of their position of command like commanders do, so there's nothing to entice them.

Yeah, I play with my friends so I don't mind scoring fewer points, but in general being squad leader sucks because you have to be more responsible.

When I'm SL, I play as a medic with the L85. I like to sneak up to an enemy base, get on a neighboring hill or in some tree cover, and snipe/spot/give orders from there. My mates descend down the hill launching the attack, while I can watch the whole base and give them orders over VOIP. Doing this, you don't even need to be very organized to put a lot of pressure on a base that the enemy thinks is safe.

[MrChris_CJ]

Re: Squad Leaders and what is expected from us?

basically a sqad leader has to be smart...he has to know what hes up against when attacking flags...where stingers/tows are etc...higher IQ = more successful squad...

[CtrlAltDe1337]

Re: Squad Leaders and what is expected from us?

main thing is USE VOIP

[gungho]

Re: Squad Leaders and what is expected from us?

Issue orders !!
Otherwise your team just run around shooting at anything. The key to a good game is co-ordination, in the squad & between squads. I dont mind VOIP commands, but I really find the simple "Attack here" "Defend this position" etc commands on the map are soooo useful. You order & I will comply !!!

[Jeffrey_Dahmer]

Re: Squad Leaders and what is expected from us?

I play SL the most, because I start a VOIP ONLY squad wherever possible, and work to engage my squad members in conversation.

I agree with many of the things that have been said here. As far as vehicles go, there is a time where I will use a 2 man vehicle: when noone else is.

For example, on Karkand, if noone is using the tank, and noone wants to claim it, I'll drive it around. Many times the armor is the difference between the win and the loss for the team. So I'd rather have all of our assets contributing to the win. I'm more than willing to give the tank up on request, and usually will.

A few other suggestions:

1. Take the initiative: This doesn't just mean assign the squad duties if the commander is a flatliner. It also means things like spawning well back from the front to ensure that vital bases stay under your control, and to bring important assets to the battle. If your squad is unbalanced, take the initiative and get the appropriate kit.

2. Noone gets left behind: If one of your guys can't get into a vehicle, go on foot with them. First because noone should go into combat without a buddy, but also just to let the members of the squad know that you're interested in their success, by helping them to do their job. People will fight a lot harder and smarter for you that way.

3. Communicate. If you get orders from the commander, let the squad know. If they're any good, they'll finish what they're doing and help you. If you want them to do something, explain why. Once you've explained why, the how comes easily.

These are a few simple things you can do to improve a squad experience.

J.

[HicRic]

Re: Squad Leaders and what is expected from us?

Orders are an important thing. More often than not I find commanders don't, well...command! They just use their arty and run around shooting. So it's down to squad leaders to give out commands to their squad. VoIP is nice-gives a more personal touch and more specifics-but like someone else said, just the simple attack/defend this position order is nice, since it adds a waypoint to your map and gives you a purpose.

Without this, people like me tend to just wander aimlessly over to the nearest flag and shoot a couple of guys (or in my case, get shot... ).

I wouldn't always say they needed to hang back as a spawn-although this is very useful in many situations, it's not 100% necessary. For example, I had a fun game in a four-man squad where the leader drove an APC, and we hopped around gunner positions/took up guarding positions outside the APC at flags. The SL used VoIP to help spot targets and give advice, and just the four of us managed to kill many team members and take a bunch of flags.

Some of us died when outside the APC, but spawned back into it again later. Sure, a couple of times the SL died when the APC was taken down, but I feel it gave a great dynamic feel to the match, and the enemy never knew where we were going to strike next. :)

SL's are the most important members of the team, especially with a poor commander around.

[Gontire]

Re: Squad Leaders and what is expected from us?

we cant spawn on dead squad leader