The amount a commander talks.

**DocGuo** · 12-10-2008, 11:55 PM

I was commanding just today and I started getting very conflicting opinions on how much a commander should communicate to his or her squads. I try to keep everything succinct and to the point and I've now learned that some people want to be updated every time i do a sat track and some who just wants me to give out orders and only occasionally update enemy positions.

First of all, I want to apologize to anyone who I've ignored since I just can't keep my eyes on all firefights at all times. I sometimes even try communicating with one squad at a time in a series of rotations but that has consequences in taking up my time focusing on clicking each squad and talking to each squad leader. It drove me crazy and I couldn't handle that kind of concentration.

As a result, I only press the b button nowadays and I talk to everybody at once. This means that you'll be hearing information about another squad's current situation and what they should do next.

What's your personal preferences everybody? I'll be commanding a lot more these days so you'll be hearing me a lot more as well...I'll try to reconcile everybody's preference but please....please don't get mad or angry at me!!!

**LordKelvin** · 12-11-2008, 12:51 AM

When I'm SL (which is not often, but I do sometimes), I hate it when the commander is talking constantly. Update me if there's a serious push somewhere or if you have more complex orders than a flag assault. Otherwise, either use distinct squad channels or don't speak at all and just spot enemies.

When a commander is constantly talking, I can't think and it interferes with my squadmembers' contact reports, etc.

**Reaperassault** · 12-11-2008, 03:24 AM

not that this is a bad topic but this isn't an AAR.

as for my take I like to make everyone listen to me as commander, in order to give my SLs information about other squads locations.

**MarthaHyer** · 12-11-2008, 04:02 AM

Best advice I can give is to keep it short and sweet.

.. and by that I mean:

- use only the voice commands unless they are insufficient to communicate your orders

- dont be 'chatty'; choose the fewest number of words necessary to communicate

- only communicate relevant and pertinent information

- relegate your intel to that which is actionable; avoid presenting 'history' as 'intel' ( e.g. ' They just capped EU base because nobody was there' )

- remember that the squad leader is using VOIP to communicate with his squad. Anything you say over VOIP complicates his ability to effectively communicate with his squad by impairing his ability to hear or respond. This in turn diminishes the overall effectiveness of the entire squad by slowing their response time. While you are speaking, the SL is unable to communicate with his troops.

Unless you have intricate manuevers you wish to coordinate amoungst several squads, most of the orders can be handled using voice commands ( imho ). If your orders do not require a great deal of explanation I would suggest using the voice commands.

**jazy2** · 12-11-2008, 04:19 AM

Another thing to note.....when you want to talk to a particular squad don't click the squad number press the number on your keyboard! it's quicker and easier to do

**DocGuo** · 12-11-2008, 10:09 PM

ahhh....the numbers are a nice touch....that makes everything just a bit easier

**daithi1** · 12-25-2008, 12:18 PM

My take on it is if I am generally saying what's happening I use B. If I want to give an order/suggestion to a particular squad I use V. It takes a second longer and doesn't piss off other SL. Also to an extent on the main server There is usually only 3 squads at most you will want V for usually only 1 or 2. I have gotten used to pushing the right part of the UI so I don't get the pop-up or mute the SL etc. It is a needlessly small area. During scrims I sometimes change my keybinds so I have the nubers closer to my fingers. Also during scrims there is less of a chance you want to talk to an SL on there own as most things will be valid to all during scrims.

Basically I'd use V as much as you can.

**Reaperassault** · 12-26-2008, 05:30 AM

still wondering why this thread is an AAR?!?

**FeralShadow** · 12-28-2008, 03:35 PM

I CO every now and then, and here's what I've personally found works, and what works best for me when i SL:

1. You keep things very short and sweet. Talking to every SL isn't an issue if it's quick.
2. When you talk, you make sure you say what number squad you're talking to, so there's no confusion with the other squads.
3. It's nice to talk to everybody from the SL standpoint, as that gives some insight into what the other squads are doing without you having to talk to the CO.
4. Giving incoming troop directions in relation to squad locations: ie. *two squads coming from NW of Squad 2* are EXTREMELY helpful, and really the biggest thing you could do as a CO.
5. Letting squads know when you have orbital/emp/supplies so they can request them.

These are really the biggest things you do as CO and as long as they're all kept short and sweet, one sentence most of the time, it helps a lot for everybody to hear.

-Feral

**Bucklin** · 12-29-2008, 01:25 AM

While I definitely would agree with most of that, FeralShadow, especially the second and fourth point, it's best to use the voice command menu for the fifth point. That way, you aren't tying up the comms of an SL leading an assaulting squad with the unnecessary knowledge that supplies are available - if an assaulting squad has the rare instance of needing a supply drop, the SL should just request them and see what happens.

Also, I believe you should only be letting SLs know about the availability of orbital strikes when you haven't noticed a priority target for it first. That way, you aren't having SLs requesting an orbital you just told them you had and end up dropping it elsewhere, leaving them expecting something they aren't getting.

**Arganosh** · 01-05-2009, 05:40 PM

Howdy folks, good topic here. While commanding last evening, I was using the B button to give info about enemy movement and warning a squad or two of enemies moving on their position. When one of my SL's get's all upset and let's me have it for talking so much and to only talk to the squads the info was for. The thing is I do not just chatter away about nothing. I only speak to my troops if the click and go or click and attack does get across the info I want them to have. Also many times there are squads near the one I am letting know about trouble so they can assist if they wish. I will also do a general call to my SL's to have their peeps place some IDS units to augment the sattelite and UAV.

I have yet to tell my SL's what assets are up and ready, if they call for something I drop it or let them know it's coming in x amount of time. I have had very few SL's call for assets when I command, I am hoping that's because I am dropping supplies on those who need them or dropping the orbital on those pushing to hard on my troops. I often cycle through the Sat-Track as it refreshes just so I can keep up with what the enemy forces are doing.

Now that I have learned that I can use the number and V key To speak to individual squads I think I will be less likely to annoy my SL's in the future.

**ionpig-A** · 01-05-2009, 06:07 PM

If I could, I'd move this over to the tactics forum...

I'm hoping a forum admin will come along in a bit and do so.

Good thread though!

**RoadWarrior** · 01-06-2009, 12:09 AM

When commanding I use a good mix of individual squad chat as well as "global" chat. I think sharing global information is important such as orbital is ready but helping out a squad individually using squad chat saves everyone else's ears! Hitting the number key for selecting a squad is much better as the UI is buggy at times for selecting squads.

From a commander standpoint, I find it helpful if the SL of the squad that takes a walker chimes up on maps like Gibraltar or Cerebere. It makes it easier to provide valuable information where the walker is really needed without everyone participating in unnecessary conversation.

**DocGuo** · 01-07-2009, 04:13 AM

please forum admin move my topic!

sorry!!!

I would if I could!

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