asch

As a CO, I sometimes don't know or understand the concept behind some specialized squads. I also realize that it takes time for SLs of these specialized squads to explain them to the CO and have the CO have a clue what they're talking about. The same goes for a grunt looking to join a squad. What does such-and-such squad do?

So what I would like to try and put together is a Squad Naming / Duty SOP. This SOP would include the list of specialized squads we utilize along with their description, intent, approximate size, kit make-up, etc.

My hope is that this SOP will help everyone at TG, especially CO's, understand these specialized squads so we can utilize them more. This may add some more variety and excitement to a vanilla game that is becoming a bit dull. Some of these squads may also be better suited for the Tac Mod, but we'll try to compile a complete list.

Use this thread to discuss and provide specialty squad ideas. Try to provide at least the following...

Name (to be used in-game)
Description / Intent
Approx. Size
Kit Make-up

I'll eventually put together a SOP for this.

__________________
| My Maps

Gaming Videos by Tactical Gamers

Fear the Frog! | Kill the Frog! | An Inconvenient Truth

"Support game play in a near-simulation environment. Where the focus of play would not be solely on doing what it takes to win, but doing so utilizing real-world combat strategy and tactics rather than leveraging exploits provided to players by the design of the game engine, regardless of the level of advantage, if any, it gives over the opposing team." -- Tactical Gamer Primer

loyalguard

I think this is a great idea. As someone who is new here at TG I think this would really help newcomers as well. I don't really delve into anything other than infantry and I've been doing alot of thnking about it lately. I've read a lot of the ideal squad kit make-up posts and this what I would really like to see for a specialized infantry squad:

Name: Infantry
Description / Intent: Standard squad of riflemen and support capable of assaulting/defending objectives.
Approx. Size: 6
Kit Make-up: Three fireteam of two SM's (see below):

Fireteam Alpha (Provides base of fire / suppression / cover)
==========
-1 Assault or AT (depending on the strength of presence of armor on the map)
-1 Support

Fireteam Bravo (This team flanks while assaulting/defending or as acts as instructed)
===========
-2 Assault kits

Fireteam Charlie (Supports the other two fire teams)
============
- 1 SL (Assault or Spec Ops depending on the needs of the map)
- 1 Medic

I know many may not consider infantry to be a specialized squad or maybe the above is obvious. I also think SL's should be able to tweak their squads accordingly to their experience and comfort. But, I think the above represents a strong yet flexible squad for assault and defense and when a CO sees "Infantry" he knows the make-up of the kits and the capabilites of the squad. Thanks for entertaining this noob's ideas! This is what I think makes TG so great!

__________________
|TG| LoyalGuard

jmaker

I had seen this the previous 2 nights. Last night it was Mantis/sordavie/undead in a C4defense squad. That's pretty self explanatory. I would assume 2 spec ops and 1 support. Did you guys stay at one flag or were you mobile?

The other obvious one is a squad named Assets with a spec ops and support. The intent of course is to take down the enemy assets.

__________________

matt_g_geier

I beleive I had named my squad "Sprt Resrvs" or something like that.

I would imagine that would be vauge to most...

IMO we would be needed anywhere additional help is required or requested.

__________________
[TG-Irr]Vulcher

Exploding_Silver

How about a new SL naming the squad "New SL" just so people know what they are getting, and experienced SL may well join to help out the SL.

Also bear in mind that the character length for squad name is about 8 long, so if name conveys purpose it has to be short & sweet

__________________

thebleakaffinity

^I've been announcing my newness when forming Chopper squads, in hopes of driving away people who don't have the patience to put up with my crappiness and possibly attracting experienced pilots who'd be willing to give me pointers. I think it's a good idea.

dawolf

I am not COing a lot but from what i remember the CO cant see squad names, only kit assignments and occupied vehicles for each squad.

__________________

Diceman

Whenever I CO, I just go by the squad number. I have, very infrequently, queried squads for roles and specialties, but have usually found one or more of the following to be the case:

1. SLs either don't reply, or reply with vagaries like "We'll go where you need us." I definately appreciate the willingness to do whatever battle conditions call for, but it's not exactly a specialty.
2. Expectations and reality don't always match up. What's an armour squad to do when another squad jumps in all the armour and heads to the front? Or the armour is scattered across the map at various CPs?
3. Multiple SLs reply at the same time, leading to a cacophony on the CO's headset and wasting valuable pre-round seconds.
4. Specializations often don't line up with how a commander is wanting to direct the battle resources. For instance, if a squad is intending on using a transport Helo as a high-altitude spawn point, and the commander would rather that resource be used as a mobile weapons platform.

These are small points, but in BF2 (as in life), the devil is always in the details. I also very much appreciate that there are ways to deal with each of these points - anyone who has ever played CO or SL would have had, at one time or another, their effectiveness impaired somewhat by trying to deal with the challenges, and would have spent some time considering how to avoid that obstacle the next time.

Ultimately, my position has become that SLs and their squaddies do not need every detail fed to them. They are each competant and capable players who can be fluid and adapt to changing battle dynamics. As a result, I tend to spend the first few minutes of a game introducing myself to my SLs, assigning some opening attack vectors, and generally watching how the enemy is opening his/her game. The point is that it is a tentative opening - I rarely have a battle plan in mind from the outset. Without a concrete battle plan, I have no need to receive from and feed to my SLs the tiny details.

Now, a scrim is different. If anyone recalls the TPF game back in November (as I recall), I had many details worked, including radio calls, code words and vehicle assignments for squads. But that was only because I had the luxury of time to plan.

A "just a quick game" game doesn't allow for that kind of complexity management. As a consequence, I defer the details down to the SLs, and try to spend my time operating at a higher strategic level than I do as a squad leader.

On the other hand, nothing is black and white - as a CO in a "just a quick game" game, I am usually mindful of keeping active gunship or jet squads, and will generally send team-wide broadcasts looking for volunteers if these squads appear to be under-manned.

__________________

[drill][medic][conduct][tg-c1][tpf-c1]
[ma-c2][taw-c1]

Acid

I believe everyone should name their squad when there are more than 20 people on and you can start to stratigize more.

__________________

kornkobcom

That is the biggest problem with this theory. As A CO I know that I rarely, if ever, go to the window where I can see what the name of the people or the squad is. IF a SL has a function they want to perform they should speak up at the beginning so that the CO can either integrate that team's needs or tell the SL that the fucntion they want to perform is not needed (or is already being performed).

__________________
Kornkob

I want to move to Theory. Everything works in Theory.

jmaker

Just hit TAB and under the squads section you can see every squad name with member. Of course it would be easier if you could actually see the squad name on the commander screen but just hit tab for a quick second to find the right squad you're looking for.

__________________

AzrealDarkmoon

When I CO, if a squad doesn't announce a role they are in the normal attack/defend role. Unless I have 1 2-3 man squad, then I tell them to be mobile all the time.

Az

__________________

ChIck3nL3gz

Heres another one:

Name: Assets
Description / Intent: Two or three man squad. Sole objective is to eliminate other teams assets.
Approx. Size: 2-3
Kit Make-up: 2-3 SMs includes 1 SL.

Variant 1 Two Personell Squad
==========
-1 Spec Ops
-1 Medic

Break Down
========
Medic acts as SL, provides spawn point for Spec Ops and also heals/revives as necessary, spots enemy targets prior to Spec Ops placing charges. Gives green light to proceed with demolitions.

Variant 2 Two Personell Squad
===========
-2 Spec Ops

Breakdown
========
Spec Ops 1 acts as SL, provides spawn point and spots enemy targets prior to Spec Ops placing charges. Gives green light to proceed with demolitions. Operates to destroy assets only when first Spec Ops "goes down".

Variant 3 Two Personell Squad
============
- 1 Spec Ops
- 1 Support

Breakdown
========
Support acts as Sl, provides spawn point and covering fire for Spec Ops only if "caught in the open". Spots enemy units and gives green light for Spec Ops to place demolitions. Resupplies C4 and Ammunition as necessary. Retreats to regroup if position compromised.

Variant 3 Three personell squad
=======================
- Spec Ops
- Support
- Medic

Breakdown
========
Ideal squad. Support acts as SL also provides covering fire for Spec Ops if "caught" also acts as spotter and gives green light to spec ops for demolitions only when area clear of enemy units. Medic provides health/revives as necessary.

Stormin_Normin and I used something similar during the CO duel, it worked out rather well since there was always a hidden person who could view the assets from a distance and also provide a safe spawn point if the other was "downed". It saved a lot of time rather than having all parties in the squad attempting to destroy assets and running the risk of being wiped out and having to trek back to the UCB.

Bear in mind, if you play the SL you will be bored since while in the UCB you are not allowed to fire upon enemy units unless you are fired upon first. Which means if you are playing either the medic role or support role you CAN NOT, under any circumstances fire upon someone just because you have the perfect shot. The only way you are able to open fire is if the person laying the C4 to destroy the assets is fired upon. Also keep in mind once you open fire your position is compromised and you will be forced to retreat until you are clear of the UCB or until you are no longer being pursued. So use discretion when choosing your targets if fired upon. Communicate with your Spec Ops and see if they need covering fire or assistance before firing your weapon. If they think they can escape without being killed then hold your fire until they are clear. This way you haven't compromised your position and Spec Ops can make his/her way to a safe hiding spot until the UCB clears out of enemy units.

Again, Stormin_Normin and I used this method during the CO duel, it worked really well and I never fired the SAW when I was in teh support role. I just spotted units for Normin and then told her when it was clear to move in.

__________________

[volun][drill]
I'm cannon fodder.
Irreg's Wiki
Rules and SOPs

sordavie

We were part mobile part stationary; and, for the most part, we had 3 spec ops, so that we could double up and cover multiple flags. We'd keep c4 on the important flags as well as move to some flags that were likely the next targets.

Some other squads that we like to make and name (which are pretty self explanatory) include:

Sniper3max (3 snipers, if there are more than ~50 people on the server.)
Sniper2max (2 snipers, if there are less than that.)
fastcap (3 members, max, of varying kits as needed.)
medic! (3, max, medics who move around where ever infantry fightiing is hottest.)
medic/engineer (3, max, mixture of medics and engineers as needed.)
mobileAT (3 members total; 2 AT; SL goes support)

It's probably a pretty bad idea to have a specialty squad with more than 3 members, unless that squad will double as a regular squad in which case you don't need a specialty squad name.

__________________

Trooper

why not just asign each squad slot a job in the sops

1 = air squad....chopper or jets
2 = asset squad
3 = fast assult

and so on...or is that to hard

__________________
that sounds like a good idea trooper.
-Vulcan