Being an Effective Squad Leader

[whoster69]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

There is a filter option to find servers that are 'battlecommo' enabled... (which should mean that VoIP is enabled in the server). however- this hasn't been working for me, everytime I filter the servers with battlecommo- the server list comes up completely empty. Don't know whats going on there...

You can only select up to six items in the browser. Hopefully they'll fix this at some point...

[Six.]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

You can only select up to six items in the browser. Hopefully they'll fix this at some point...

Aaaaaah... no wonder. Thanks for that- heh; yeah, I always use the 'no password', 'ranked', 'battlecommo', plus 'small' and 'medium' filters... but thats only 5... well- I do also use an extra search for a particular map I feel like playing.

[EvilP]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

I think a good squad leader really should keep an eye out for or have a vehicle of his own to transport the guys in. There's nothing worse than a groundbound squad that has to either wait for something to spawn or plod along to some forgotten flag somewhere getting wiped in the process as 3-6 guys running on the ground will be shelled by everything ever. Is it just me or does artillery discourage teamplay?

Regarding what the SL should play as - medic isn't too bad an bad idea since smart teammembers can nick the medic kit off his body if he dies. (usually they're too stupid to do it on pubs) The drawback is that the SL might get himself killed fast by trying to revive people when he might be much better off letting them respawn on him. The squad might be better off with a dedicated medic however.

All classes but sniper are probably good. Support works surprisingly well with the heavy armor and tendency to stay back in firefights, letting your squad spawn next to a prone guy laying down MG fire and handgrenade cover from a safeish position.

[Six.]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

Hm, I see more benefit in Medic and SL not being the same person- because Squadleader can be a mobile spawn-point, whilst medics can simply revive immediately. Where a medic cannot feasibly revive someone- they will always have someone to spawn on in the vicinity (the SL), without the medic risking his own life. Other than that, if the medic dies- yes, someone can pick up his kit and revive him, but- if it is not safe or feasible to revive the medic, then- well- you've lost both your SL and Medic at the same time if your SL and medic were the same person. If both the medic and SL goes, then... well- the whole squad may go down soon enough. Lest they have to go back and regroup again.

[l=lCoBrAl=l]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

Thank you Six. I'm glad someone else on this thread has the brains to see it like I do.

[Erritu]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

Wow. This is ,imo, the most helpful thread I have read on this forum.

[Six.]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

Thank you Six. I'm glad someone else on this thread has the brains to see it like I do.

It took some discussion with my local squad (my band of brothers who play BF2 with me at the Net Cafe- no need for VoIP), and seemed the smartest thing to do.

As the AT or Support have to hang back the most- they are most likely nominated to be squad leader- since they have to avoid the most gunfire. The medic has to move between cover so much- he is likely to get shot at a bit, but we avoid getting killed as much as possible, and try to keep each other alive through tactics and following a few engagement guidelines.

By the way, I didn't see it the way you did... I just thought it would be logical

[alextaylor29]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

Just thought I'd bumpthis thread to keep it alive as many posters here thought it was useful.

Perhaps a stick is warranted? :)

[whoster69]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

Just thought I'd bumpthis thread to keep it alive as many posters here thought it was useful.

Perhaps a stick is warranted? :)

Good idea. We need to keep this one alive. My squadmates and I have been working on communcation lately. We still have problems with too much chatter from some members and others not communicating enough. We're still lookig for that happy medium where people acknowledge orders but don't take too long stating what they need to say. It takes practice and patience...

[Six.]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

Good idea. We need to keep this one alive. My squadmates and I have been working on communcation lately. We still have problems with too much chatter from some members and others not communicating enough. We're still lookig for that happy medium where people acknowledge orders but don't take too long stating what they need to say. It takes practice and patience...

Hm, perhaps we can ask the Mod to sticky this? rather than have to bump it all the time?

In any case, I reckon this would also be a great place to trade squad tactics, and other great ideas etc...

Anyway... Communication is too important for a squad, VoIP is very important. If you don't have VoIP- then never ever go as Squad leader. The radio keys (Q and T) is actually integral to squad AND team play; the 'Spotted' command tells everyone the enemies you've seen and lets everyone know how much troube your squad is in.

Also- just order a medic or support whenever (call medic, call ammo supply), so you can at least see where your closest doctor is or where your closest support guy is (that is, if you don't have one, or you think you could do with more help)- don't just do this when you need them- do it ahead of time, because it would be too late anyway the moment you ask them for help; they will pop up on your mini-map when you call for this help. Other than that, squad-mates can always ensure the Squad Leader always has a plan for the next move with the T key (Request Orders).

[EvilP]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

How important do you think the SL is just as a mobile spawn point? Should he try to stay out of confrontations and simply send in the team to do the work?

If I have a decent squad of 4 or more I'll often try to get to convenient artillery secure positions near important flags and hide there while trying to convince my squad to attack the enemy from my position. It's not very heroic like some players prefer to be, running up the the flag and all that, but it allows your squad to stream coherently onto the enemy from an unexpected direction pretty much guaranteeing kills and a flag cap.

Of course it means pretty much one less man in the fight, but it's better than having the squad completely wiped. If a tank kills all the squadmembers they'll just spawn at the hidden SL after 15 seconds and strike back without giving the enemy time to regroup.

Personally I hate it when the squad makes it to some really good spot on the map and the SL gets himself killed by rushing in like an idiot.
I can't recall how many times I've died and quickly gone "HIDE SL HIDE!!!" over squad chat only to see that green circle go red just before I can spawn.

[Odedge]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

How important do you think the SL is just as a mobile spawn point? Should he try to stay out of confrontations and simply send in the team to do the work?

If I have a decent squad of 4 or more I'll often try to get to convenient artillery secure positions near important flags and hide there while trying to convince my squad to attack the enemy from my position. It's not very heroic like some players prefer to be, running up the the flag and all that, but it allows your squad to stream coherently onto the enemy from an unexpected direction pretty much guaranteeing kills and a flag cap.

Of course it means pretty much one less man in the fight, but it's better than having the squad completely wiped. If a tank kills all the squadmembers they'll just spawn at the hidden SL after 15 seconds and strike back without giving the enemy time to regroup.

Personally I hate it when the squad makes it to some really good spot on the map and the SL gets himself killed by rushing in like an idiot.
I can't recall how many times I've died and quickly gone "HIDE SL HIDE!!!" over squad chat only to see that green circle go red just before I can spawn.

I think it makes sense for the SL to hang back. If they are patient enough, like ours, he will hang back and give us as many chances as we need. He is good at hiding and avoiding the enemy. But this only works if you have a big (4+) squad or a very good one. If we are playing just two of us, he plays like he was a squad member.

[Six.]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

I think it makes sense for the SL to hang back. If they are patient enough, like ours, he will hang back and give us as many chances as we need. He is good at hiding and avoiding the enemy. But this only works if you have a big (4+) squad or a very good one. If we are playing just two of us, he plays like he was a squad member.

In any case, the SL can participate in combat; however, he should be more busy looking after his infantry. He's also important in watching his squad's back as well- which is one of the things he must do when hanging back.

Usually- the squad leader is needed to manage the squads movement; where the SL is, the squad should not wander too far. So if the SL goes too far, then the rest of the team would also find themselves too deep in enemy fire.

But as the SL is hanging back- before he even touches the trigger of his gun; he should find good cover; open his command map, assess the situation- and plot the next move/objective. It is very difficult to get random squad members to cooperate... so there's thw downside of not being in a clan, or even amongst your own friends who have an idea what you're up to, and people who stick by you all the way.

I'ma very happy, coz I just got me Good Conduct Ribbon (purple, white stripes, with a gold eagle in the center) . I pride myself on being a good team-player.

[EvilP]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

Heh I think that was the first ribbon I ever got :P Took your time to stop blowing up those friendlies didn't you?

Back on topic:
Really well organized squads don't work too well in BF2 anyway. If you get more than 2 people sitting next to each other it's like a sign saying "artillery here plz". Every now and then when commanding you do a scan and you spot those buddy squads from the 5 red dots running together. Then it's just a case of sending in artillery on the flag they're heading towards.

How would you use a squad to avoid these kinda cases? I guess if you had maybe 3-4 guys on the ground and 2 in vehicles that might not be as obvious a target and less prone to wipes. I do love having an APC among us whenever I'm in in or leading a large squad...

[Six.]

Re: Being an Effective Squad Leader

Really well organized squads don't work too well in BF2 anyway. If you get more than 2 people sitting next to each other it's like a sign saying "artillery here plz". Every now and then when commanding you do a scan and you spot those buddy squads from the 5 red dots running together. Then it's just a case of sending in artillery on the flag they're heading towards.
How would you use a squad to avoid these kinda cases? I guess if you had maybe 3-4 guys on the ground and 2 in vehicles that might not be as obvious a target and less prone to wipes. I do love having an APC among us whenever I'm in in or leading a large squad...

Ah, but of course- this is where a good commander comes in, and also- achieving objectives- such as destroying enemy commander assets (i.e: the artillery; and other stuff that give the enemy their 'eyes', their 'nose' and their 'ears' in the battlefield.

The first thing any squad with spec ops units should do is destroy strategic facilities. Plus- there's good points in it.