How to Improve Commander (ideas for future patch)

[DrJOnes666]

Hi guys,

I saw on planetbattlefield forum a post from TG with a compilation of ideas that TG members agree could make the game better in a future patch. I thought I would post here the following message that I originally posted on planetbf forum. Maybe you guys will agree with the following suggestions. Somehow, I beleive DICE DEVS might take suggestions from this site more seriously than planetbf where there is so much somplaining/whining...

Anyways, it's worth a shot.


(note: the following was written before I actually found TG servers)

I had a superb experience the other night playing COMMANDER.
There were 5 squads, and they all worked in team play and listened to the orders. They also were asking for new orders, etc.
What made the experience a total blast was being able to use VOICE and speak to the Squad Leaders. Basically, the game went like this:
- Start Of Game: (VOICE)- "I'll be your commander today. Follow my lead and we'll all get out of here alive!" / reply from Squad Leaders (VOICE) - "Roger that Commander!"

- During gameplay: assigning orders to each squad using the built-in orders/flag system .

- During gameplay: Using voice, I would give additional information to squad leaders to complement visual orders on map. For instance, I would first assign a MOVE command to a squad at a specific position. Then I would VOICE additional information to let them know the best ruote to take. ie. "Take north bridge to get to your destination. Minor resistence on the way. Two or three ennemy units at your destination".

- During gameplay: Using VOICE, squad leaders would sometime ask me additional information about a specific area. This is where the SCAN function comes in handy. With VOICE , it is possible to describe the situation of a certain area without having to use the radar and actually show the players.

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From the experience above, here are some personal SUGGESTIONS that I have that I think would make the COMMANDER more fun to play.

1) INDIVIDUAL SQUAD VOICE CHANNELS
It would be cool if, when getting in COMMANDER MAP mode, the keyboard keys 1 to 0 would be assigned to individual squad VOICE CHANNELS. For instance, pressing on 3 would be the same as pressing the (default) V button, but it would put you in VOICE contact with only squad 3. - With the gameplay I described above, I had to identify each time to which squad I was talking to because all Squad Leaders could hear me talk with each command I gave. I understand we can click X on the sound icon for specific squads and I assume this means that particular squad will not hear me. But it's impossible to click/unclick squads each time you wish to takl to only one squad. The QUICKEST way would simply be to ASSIGN INDIVIDUAL squad VOICE CHANNELS.

2) SUGGESTED ROUTE
It would be very cool if we could modify/edit the path to target with waypoints. For instance, what if we could:
a) as it is now, right click on the target, select move or attack.
b) then, we could right click on one ore more additional spots on the map, which would be suggested waypoints. If the waypoint(s) are between the soldier(s) and the target point, then the line modifies itself and shows the soldier(s) their next waypoint(s) to reach target. This would allow the Commander to suggest which best route to take to get to the target. Additionaly, the waypoints could have color codes, like GREEN (no resistance), YELLOW (mild resistence), RED (heavy resistence).

3) ONE COLOR PER SQUAD
As it is, I find it difficult to easylly identify the squads on the map. Green Dots are players that are in squads. Clicking on a squad shows us the Dots in white. I do not feel this is very efficient, as I find myself searching for the white dots on the screen because the green dots are far more visible.
- How ABOUT assigning a different color to each squad? Unselected squads could remain green on the map, except for the squad leader's bigger dot, which could be the color of the squad. When you select one squad, it could highlight all soldiers from this squad in the proper color. I beleive this could be an efficient way to track the movement of each squad leaders, and soldiers that are within each squad. Colors should be bright and easy to spot (PURPLE, PINK, YELLOW, ORANGE, DARK GREEN, IVORY CREAM, LIGHT BROWN, FUSHIA, LIGHT BLUE, BLUE (here, that's 10...)).

.
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Well, those are my three requests/ideas.
Maybe some of you have comments about them, or additional iedas?
I have no idea if the above suggestions could actually make it into a patch. But it doesn't hurt to talk about them.

Cheers!

DrJOnes666

[Telorn]

One thing Planetside did that I enjoyed, is as squad leader (commander and SL in this case) you could actually draw on the map. This allowed the leaders to clearly identify which path they wanted you to take. They can also lay multiple waypoints. Since it is practical for a squad of 6 to split up in different objectives in the same area, it makes sense to be able to lay multiple waypoints and tell which individuals which waypoint you want them at for assault/defense, etc...

[Phelan Ward]

Your first request is possible now. By selecting a squad and using "B" instead of "V". That way your only talking to that squad and the rest of us don't have to hear half a conversation.

To add to your list.

4) A secondary Comma Rose as commander (There currently isn't one.) that allows you to drop arty/uav/supplies without having to enter the map overview. Also some way to give particular squads basic commands without entering the menu. This would allow the commander to be closer to the frontlines since he wouldn't be consantly in the menu. I still wouldn't lead the charge, but it would allow him to see first hand just how hot the situation is getting in certain areas. The 16 player maps would benefit from this the most.

5) A "BodyGaurd" squad of 3 people and SL that the commander could join. That way he CAN be on the frontlines and have a mobile spawn point.

[DrJOnes666]

Originally Posted by Phelan Ward

Your first request is possible now. By selecting a squad and using "B" instead of "V". That way your only talking to that squad and the rest of us don't have to hear half a conversation.

I didn't know that. Thanks for the tip!

I still think it might be cool though to be able to remap num keys 1 to 0 to each squad in order to have quicker access to individual squad channels.

Meanwhile, thanks for the info!

DrJOnes666

[Phelan Ward]

Not a problem. And I agree the num keys would be put to good use in this manner. I also wish that as a SL I could talk to other SLs and the Commander over the "V" key. That would allow for some multi squad assualts which could prove to be very interesting for defenders.

[Telorn]

Originally Posted by Phelan Ward

Not a problem. And I agree the num keys would be put to good use in this manner. I also wish that as a SL I could talk to other SLs and the Commander over the "V" key. That would allow for some multi squad assualts which could prove to be very interesting for defenders.

I thought the V channel was open to all squad leaders and commander. Am I mistaken? If the squad leader uses the V channel can he only speak to the commander and not the other SLs as well?

[Halligan]

Originally Posted by Phelan Ward

4) A secondary Comma Rose as commander (There currently isn't one.) that allows you to drop arty/uav/supplies without having to enter the map overview.

This is possible now using the "T" key. It will drop whatever you request where your crosshairs are aimed.

[SmokingTarpan]

Originally Posted by Telorn

If the squad leader uses the V channel can he only speak to the commander and not the other SLs as well?

Correct. Communication is member<->leader<->commander; that's all.