Takk

Lyra said something over TS the other day that I agree with completely. He suggested that the time before the round starts after the map load should be five minutes. While five minutes may be a bit long, I do agree that some more time should be added.

The current one and a half minute timer just isn't long enough for squads to get set, a Commander to get picked, and then leave time for the CO and SLs to communicate and set a plan before the round begins.

Currently, all the maps usually start with the CO and the SLs having no real idea what the others are really thinking or planning to do. I think having another minute or two will allow the COs and SLs time to lay out a basic plan of action before the round begins. This will allow the CO the ability to fully take advantage of asset squads. They can use their armor as part of their plan, rather than having to change their plan depending on where the armor heads off to.

This may not be a popular subject, but I believe that the benefits will far outweigh the complaints.

I believe we will also see a rise in the number of people that wish to CO or SL if they are given time to plan a course of action before the round begins. I'm sure it would help the COs and SLs get more comfortable in their roles if there is good communication from the top to the bottom. From CO all the way down to the individual SMs. Not just between SL and SMs.

I love playing in scrims, mainly due to the fact that there is almost always some sort of discussion about what the team is going to do before the round begins. A perfect example of this is the Shockwave Campaign. Before every battle, the CO lays out their plan, and then the Squads go out and execute that plan. We could have a small portion of that on the Conquest server.

To aid in the communication between teammates, we could always create a EU and PAC subchannel on TS so that everyone on the team can hear what the CO and SLs are saying. This would also have the added benefit of bringing espionage to TG!

Anyway, its just an idea. Please discuss.

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Zhohar

I agree with the longer start time, but not for the reasons or the length you've mentioned.

With the new rotation changes, we're forced to load a map after each round. Because of that, I'm usually facing a responsive UI with 1:10 left on the start-time counter.
This is just fine when I'm a squad member: all I need to do is join a squad and set up a kit within 70s.
If I'm leading a squad, however, the time is a bit more tight: I need to set up my kits, create a squad, assign kits, communicate the plan for the round, and explain how to hold spawn. It's rare that I run out of time for all of these things (I speak quckly, as Bleeding can attest ), but I'd feel a bit more comfortable with 10-20 seconds more.

I propose a 20s increase in the start timer to allow the people with terrible computers (like me) to catch up with the intended 1.5 min start time. I don't forsee any problems with planning and organization if I was able to utilize the full 90 seconds.

Note though, my viewpoint is limited: I'm rarely a commander or a squad member. We ought to get some experienced CO's attention here. Though, I suspect they'll reply the same: much of the job is in responding to situations, not in making elaborate plans.

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FBmantis

Server software limits us to two minutes max starting time so keep that in mind.

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Lyramion

hehehe You didnt catch the obvious sarcasm in my comment - maybe because you werent ont my side that round. I was aiming towards the "Squadleader lurking" at TG. The setup time is pretty much fine BUT sometimes we TG members spend like 1 minute or more of the setup time just lurking around hoping for someone else to open a Squad and lead us instead of dicussing tactics. Then 15 secs before the round starts someone opens a Squad and barly has time to bark "HOLD SPAWN 4 ASSAULTS 1 ENGI 1 SUPPORT PLEASE!" before our bodies get thrown into the match.

This is why I said we would need 5 minutes setup timer

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Rasta-GR

I also suggest increasing of the idle time between the rounds!

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Foxtrot6

I agree an increase of 10-20 seconds would be helpful. The need is for planning which I would like to see stressed. Even if, it is to go over some basic rules that some haven't heard before, hold spawn, revive me after you kill the soldier on my body, kits,...something of a checklist for SLs. Those of you who are SLs often - if you could suggest the top 3 or 4 things to remind your SMs.

I heard Bleedingknee say last night to someone, "you played the last round really well and listened to orders well, you should consider joining TG go to ..." This is not to say we need commercials but good members make use of the time, including rushing to get another beer and bathroom break.
Foxtrot6

machowner

I think it is fine the way it is. To be honest, I seriously doubt there will be anymore planning than there is now. When I am just being a squad member, for the most part every TG and non-TG squad I join does no planning. Even though, the squad is usually FULL with about 1 minute left on the counter. Half of the time there is silence, the other half, it is use this kit-hold your spawn, then silence for 45 seconds until the round starts. I don't know what to tell you guys about getting the CO and SL's to plan more, but I doubt increasing the time between rounds will force it. To be honest, other than saying which your going to, how much planning does it take.

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BleedingKnee

I'm all for a longer break between rounds.

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sc1ence

I think this is a very big issue that happens WAY too often. The major problem here is a lack of competent and willing squad leaders. Perhaps it may be time to schedule a TGU Squad Leader training session?

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Damonte

Damonte can attest to this. There are times when Damonte creates the "SIGHFINE" squad (a nod to Fehmart), sees five people pile in within three seconds, and usually the conversation in the last fifteen seconds goes like:

"I-need-three-assaults, a-support-and-an-engineer! Squad-leader-is-going-Assault! HOLD-SPAWN-HOLD-SPAWN!" <pause> "NO! I don't want you to bring the walker up!" <pause> And then Damonte kicks half his squad for spawning in.

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daithi1

This is from a CO perspective only. Generally there is no pre-round communication between COs and SLs. The only time there would be is if there were 3-4 miced, willing SLs. The interface before you spawn is is brutal for a CO. The only voip available is 'B' the one for all SLs. I would say changing for a longer spawn time is really just going to drive ~90% (pubbie and TGer alike) of people round the twist most of the time. If it is possible to change the settings without restarting the server it might be worth switching on 2 mins of pre-round in TG 'prime time' but other than that i see little point in changing the pre-round time.

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MDFubar

This is a good subject, but I usually try to communicate with the CO what my plans are. Calling out kits and assignments can be difficult at times, but I usually form a squad right away and start giving orders. Zhohar, you do not speak quckly(like a duck), you do speak quickly though..and I must say very coherent.

I would like to maybe add a minute between round for reloading beers!

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Reader1234

I admit I have been known to do some lurking, but it is usually after 4-5 rounds of SL. For your benifit here are some of my thoughts/actions when I run a squad.

I don't start my squad until the 1:00 min mark. This is designed for people like Zhohar who have older systems. I always coord with the CO on Berlin (when attacking), if you don't you are dead meat!! The other maps are familar enough, people know where to go. I sometime will hold spawn, just to balance out the def/atk of our side. Example; Hold spawn on Care Bear to ensure there is coverage on Church and South Town when defending. I use the spawn beacon, and request my support person to bring IDS. Snipers are rarely required in my squads. I will take the kit that no one else wants most times that is Eng/Support. I do this because I hate having to run away or lose a flag because of tanks and APCs.

pred011586

I gotta agree with Lyra and Damonte on the lurking SL. There are times when I really don't want to SL. Either I don't know the map well enough, or someone like Zhohar or Reaperassault was SLing in past rounds, and I'd rather have fun in their squads. There are some maps that I have alot more strategies planned, and am more willing to SL, but maps like Suez, Verdun, Belgrade, and Sidi, I don't know what to do with my squad.

As for increasing the time, I think it'll only encourage more lurking. I know if the squad I'm looking to join fills up, I just make my own because the timer's counting down.

As for CO planning, I have very little experience commanding (as shown by my Bronze Commander Badge), so I'd rather command with a more hands off approach, and be more of a guardian angel (with lots of explosives to drop) than ordering the squads around. I've noticed that alot of squads have a pretty good idea of what they are doing, and with the right intel given to them, will generally make good decisions on what to do next. For pre-round commanding tho, all I do is say "good morning/afternoon", say that I'm new to commanding, then depending on the time left, ask the squads if they have any plans on what they'll be doing.

The only benefit I see of upping the timer, is that slower comps will have a chance to get on and get setup, which would be very nice indeed.

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[T-BAGZ]Pred011586

Lorax74

I can't agree more. It's the most annoying thing to log into the game and see tons of people waiting for everyone else to create a squad. When I play, I probably squad lead 98% of the time and it is getting a bit old. Occasionally I like to sit back and be a gun as much as anyone else.

Simply put: Step up and start squad leading or risk being part of the reason the regular squad leaders are burning out on the position.

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