Orders, and Why a Timely Response is Required.

**Soku_Jinchu** · 12-10-07, 05:54 PM

Emphasis on "Required."

In the past month, I've been a commander for a few hours on the server. Frankly, I'm ashamed. Now, it's a given that I haven't been a commander over all the proficiant squad leaders here... But, after visiting the BF2 server, my eyes have been opened to how damn lathargic some 2142 SLs are.

If your commander gives you orders, over VOiP or otherwise, and tells you to get there... You should be there within the minute. Almost all of the orders I've given as a commander have been time sensitive. If, say, Silo 4 on Suez is empty, and I order your squad to attack. Every ten seconds, an enemy has a chance to spawn there after I give the order. With the speed of the FAVs in this game, you can be at any silo from anywhere on a map in less than 20 seconds. Every second that is wasted from the time the commander issues the order to the time the squad gets there is time when the enemy can spawn.

I admit, I do not always respond to orders in a completely prompt manner, but I'm going to make more of a point of it from now on...

While I was on the BF2 server, I squaded with someone...I forget his name unfortunately. I think it had "Clint" in it. He and I were zooming around Kubra Dam capping flags like mad. Dispite the fact that the commander gave a new order every time we flipped a flag we were at, the SL and I moved Immidately to the next one.

This next bit is an observation/rant/request. please take it with as much salt as you'd like.
-Commanders: When you give your orders. MEAN IT. That squad better have an opening, or you risk losing the point they're defending. (Squad, you were defending a point, right?)
-Squadleaders: Get to the order. fast. There is no reason why you shouldn't be at the location of the order within a minute of the issue. If it's titan mode, suicide and grab something fast from another base.
-SQUADMEMBER: YOU ARE NOT JUST THE SL'S BAGGAGE. Where he goes, YOU FOLLOW. Where he camps, YOU CAMP. When he gets on a cappable point, YOU GET ON THE POINT. NO EXCEPTIONS.

I have seen a full squad of six take a silo from theirs, to neutral, to ours in LITERALLY 10 SECONDS. (Frau was SL...btw.) If all six squad members are on the silo/flag at once--instead of running around knifing the enemies who spawn--then that point will be yours right quick.

Exempliary SLs:
Frau
Laggy
Angel
Texan
...bigdog...
Quicklightning
Joker

Exempliary Commanders:
Joker
Texan
Laggy
SJT

Watch these people. Do what they do.
Soku out.

**BigHub** · 12-10-07, 05:56 PM

All those people run from Hub.... They tremble in my presence.

**laggyNgroovy** · 12-10-07, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by BigH?b

All those people run from Hub.... They tremble in my presence.

Oh please... The only trembling I do is when I leave the AC set at 60

and great post Soku. The more time people spend as commander, the greater their comprehension of the team work required becomes.

Please everyone, next time you think the commander is an idiot, take the job, see what you can do, try to turn recalcitrant Sls around. You WILL appreciate the teamwoprk aspect of the game much more and perhaps only then realize what TTP has done for gaming.

**Allane** · 12-10-07, 06:25 PM

Hm, Bigdog isn't on the commander list... does he not command usually? I'm still new here, I don't quite know everything.

I agree that teamwork is key in the Battlefield series game, and that an order is law, and all action must be taken to obey an order. My only beef is that it TAKES 10 seconds to suicide and spawn at base in order to grab an FAV at base, in which time someone could spawn at the silo you're about to take. But I'm also not saying you should just stand there like a bunch of (insert inanimate object here) waiting for an APC to come by/spawn. I usually end up just hauling ass on foot with my SL to the objective.

**DJ Ms. White** · 12-10-07, 07:04 PM

Suiciding just to go cap a flag or silo has its pros and cons. Pros have already been stated pretty well.
Some people might say, "Oh but the negative points," but let's face it, most people who play on this server know that even three or four suicides won't affect your score that much and that teamplay means more than points here. I'm happy getting only 15 points if I know I followed my orders and did them well.
The only time I wouldn't suicide is when closely located armor would help the situation more than an infantry on foot. Even then, a properly coordinated squad can demolish armor and infantry at the same time. That's why a good squad can hold silo 1 on Suez with only the occasional APC for support and the enemy titan and base located a few hundred yards away.
As for Bigdog, I'd rather him an enemy commander than an enemy squad leader. If his commander knows how to use his squad the right way, Bigdog can cause hell for the enemy team and commander. It'll take either one uber squad or multiple normal squads to take him not to mention time especially when no one has the bright idea of taking out his beacon.

**FragRaptor** · 12-10-07, 07:17 PM

I have played bf2 and 2142 and they are very different.

**RhysJD3** · 12-10-07, 11:07 PM

I usually don't have a mic on when I'm playing. If I don't appear to be following order, I do try to chat what's going on. Usually something like I'm almost done flipping a flag over or something or grabbing armor to join the SL. The other thing is sometimes the squad leaders will have the squad split up to defend more ground. Like defending two captured silos. It appears you're not following orders but you actually are.

One thing that drives me absolutely bonkers if on titan maps and there is no defence before the shields go down. Sometimes it's because the commander didn't plan far enough ahead. Sometimes it's because the SL is busy capping flags. Regardless, at the beginning of the maps or at least 2-4 minutes before the shields will go, the commander should tell the SL's who will be defending. I personally think it would help at to know at the beginning, 1/2 with the shields and 1/4 before they go.

**QuickLightning** · 12-10-07, 11:39 PM

Great post!

Keep in mind, the more players we get out there that can effectively lead squads, the more likely players will be willing to take up the commander position... Which will lead to more people being encouraged to stay here and put forward the effort that we expect at TTP. It's a domino effect that just leads to more and more great teamplayer.

Every player here makes a difference. If a new players stumbles in, show them what we're all about in Texas ...TeamPlayers...! Be on your game, stay with your squad... Not only will you be extremely effective and help your team win, but if you are anything like me, you'll end up enjoying the game more!

I know there are MANY people here willing to help new players learn how to be effective leaders. I know I will. Just hop in my squad and ask if you ever have any questions. Or better yet, show me you are a good squad member and use your mic. Next time you create a squad, you can bet your ass I'll be in there!

I love squadding under up-and-coming squad leaders! Listening to the surprise a new member to TTP has when they realize that every order they give is not only getting done... but is getting done effectively and in a timely matter... There isn't much that can compare to it.

~QuickLightning

**IronStomach** · 12-10-07, 11:44 PM

Well said! That's really our job here as regulars - In addition to being upstanding teamplayers and leaders ourselves, we also should take every opportunity to train the next generation of equally kickass squad leaders and commanders. It's easy for a fairly new player to feel daunted by the prospect of leading a squad of brigadier generals when they've just earned their Sergeant's stripes, but we should always encourage everyone to step up and lead a squad, or lead their team. That way, we can continue to raise new generations of regular players, who will then remember the encouragement they got when they were first starting out, and maybe even pass that along to their own fledgling players.

Damn do I love TTP.

**laggyNgroovy** · 12-10-07, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by QuickLightning53

Great post!

Or better yet, show me you are a good squad member and use your mic. Next time you create a squad, you can bet your ass I'll be in there!

~QuickLightning

I always liked the bait and switch. Dumping squad leader into a new person's lap and jumping back into the squad to help/coax/cajole them through the round. Quite effective hook!