Thread: Your first time commanders experience....

This thread is to encourage people to take up the seat of commander if they never have before, and to show them it's not that bad I've written a short account of my measly 2 rounds as commander and the lessons learnt due to manning up to the seat... I'd like to hear others "First time as commander stories too " The good, Bad and Xav...

So last night I decided to jump into the commander seat after joining TTP Jalalalalahabaad. Things were grim, we had a few flags and people were scattered all over and I spawned into the first 5 man team to see if I could do some damage, about 5 minutes into the game I noticed the commanders seat was vacant? I figured what the heck, and let my squad leader know that I'd go commander... I applied and a few seconds later was offered a chance to command.

Now this is completely new to me - I have had 5 mins of commanding online in a relatively empty server with a bunch of buddies, so I commanded for the chance to drop Arty wherever I wanted, which is really a gross under use of this seat.... So I hid in the US uncap and hit up my commander screen (It even had the helpful but annoying as hell tutorial voice... Thats how new it was to me :4 ).

Now being new to this it took me a while to realize the yellow icons can be clicked on and can become a great asset for the commander (Lesson # 1 for me: Commanders need you to use the commands (T) to point out stuff, I will never piss off a commander again by saying "Commander I need a vehicle" because now I know he's/she's dealing with a multitude of other requests...) So after getting used to these icons life went smoother....

Here's the main gist of how I chose to engage the role as commander. I Scanned often, and watched for problem areas - letting all those SL know where the action is, and isn't. I Listened carefully to those SL that asked requests (Lesson # 2 for me: Commanders have more than just one squad working with them, as a result a confirmation of receipt of information isn't always possible or an explanation for denial of requests.... It never sank in before but I used to get mad when I'd ask a commander what would you like us to do now... And the static was deafening ) most of the time requests for supplies, transport and arty were foremost. I also found you do have to keep telling squads "watch the arty!" I found that out the hard way after watching friendlies fly everywhere... (Lesson # 3: Zoom to arty. You can zoom in on the map, do so to get a far more accurate arty )

Thats pretty much my experience, the first round of me playing as commander we saw our team cap a few more flags and the 2nd round we managed to win and give the enemy no quarter! The true nature of the entire battle can be felt when sitting there as a commander... Oh and little buggers can sneak up easy and knife you too.... (If you don't pay full attention!).

So I highly recommend to people who have been holding back of sorts - and I know why you regs hold back - TTP is the finest of the bunch of servers out there and these guys know how to play hard and can be quick to lay down some judgement on you - My advice, saddle up for the ride, tell the squawking SL that it's your first time as commander and if they thought that they could do better you'd happily concede the seat to them next time and to help you better yourself as a commander by being more constructive. Everyone has to start somewhere.... Good luck!!!! :4 :10 :9

The key to commanding is support and smooth flow of accurate and timely information. People get pissed about bad commanders because they put the ENTIRE team at a disadvantage. Why not start with squadleading - your role is not nearly as critical yet you still communicate directly with the commander and control your 5 men so you can see what kind of support a good commander gives and how that information is disseminated from cmdr to sl to sm.

My hat off to you Boomus...good way to encourage others to take the most difficult position of the game. When you command more and more, you'll start learning the different ways to move your team to attack, defend and basically adapt to the battlefield in order to get the most rewarding outcome: the W. Everyone should step up and command because that's the only way one will learn. And to everyone who wants to, I say, don't fear those SL's that will berate you and insult you if you're not satisfying them...let them know you're new and learning and if they keep doing it, don't step down...call for an admin and that SL will be dealt with. It's distracting enough to try to keep track of everything on the BF, you don't need an asshat SL to make it worse.

CALL ANYONE OUT who is disrupting your play...

TTP does not consider it offensive if a player fills a position to learn it... it IS a kickable offense if anyone disrupts the new player's game.

Originally Posted by Xavsnipe

My hat off to you Boomus...good way to encourage others to take the most difficult position of the game. When you command more and more, you'll start learning the different ways to move your team to attack, defend and basically adapt to the battlefield in order to get the most rewarding outcome: the W. Everyone should step up and command because that's the only way one will learn. And to everyone who wants to, I say, don't fear those SL's that will berate you and insult you if you're not satisfying them...let them know you're new and learning and if they keep doing it, don't step down...call for an admin and that SL will be dealt with. It's distracting enough to try to keep track of everything on the BF, you don't need an asshat SL to make it worse.

CALL ANYONE OUT who is disrupting your play...

TTP does not consider it offensive if a player fills a position to learn it... it IS a kickable offense if anyone disrupts the new player's game.

Thank you Xav

Originally Posted by Phyrelight

I commanded 2 rounds last night, first time commanding in BF2. The controls are pretty straight forward if you have commanded in 2142. Based on the feedback from the rounds after I commanded I did a good job. I didn't receive any complaints at least.

Good job Phyrelight It's the first step thats the most foreboding huh?

Originally Posted by nihilanth311

The key to commanding is support and smooth flow of accurate and timely information. People get pissed about bad commanders because they put the ENTIRE team at a disadvantage. Why not start with squadleading - your role is not nearly as critical yet you still communicate directly with the commander and control your 5 men so you can see what kind of support a good commander gives and how that information is disseminated from cmdr to sl to sm.

Too true, I have been SL a good number of times now but I feel with my ass in the commanders seat I now have allot more knowledge of how to SL... It's made me a more competent SL due to the fact that I learnt some lessons about what the commander needs and expects...

Originally Posted by Phyrelight

I commanded 2 rounds last night, first time commanding in BF2. The controls are pretty straight forward if you have commanded in 2142. Based on the feedback from the rounds after I commanded I did a good job. I didn't receive any complaints at least.

Excellent job last night! I was there and have no complaints.

^ Teachers teach