Meet your SL - Page 3

**PM07SNV** · 11-19-2008, 07:03 AM

Name: PM07SNV
Age: 27

2142 Experience: Since release
SL Experience: 2 Months on TG (That's all that matters)

Description of SLing Style:

I rely on my SMs to do the right thing, and I may have a general objective laid out, but with very few details. I may ask 2 SMs to go flank the rear, while we disturb them from the front, or call someone to bring us some armor, but I'm fighting too, and will leave it to you to call your move if you see an opportunity for something. If we are attacking an area, and I'm staying safe somewhere behind you, let me know if it's a death trap we're walking into, and I will rethink it. Don't just go ahead and follow my slightly blind order and die. Mostly though I will lead my team from the front, and rely on them to support me and pick me up.

Offensive-minded or defensive-minded:

I have always been very offensive minded, but I am trying to include a more defensive side to my game. Each round is different, so don't expect 1 or the other. If we plan to attack but no-one is defending, I will change our plan, and sit back and defend. If we're defending, and no-one is making progress going forward, I will switch to attack. Whatever it takes.

What is your philosophy for SLing:

Follow my orders, have fun, and if you don't like it, you SL next round!

Name your greatest weakness:

Dropping beacons and forgetting them.. I will try and remember to pick them up before moving on, unless it is in a tactical position.

Advice for new SLs:

Learn from other SL's. I have! Take a generic example of what 1 SL did in a round that you enjoyed, and see if you can make it work for yourself! This way you know the plan, and don't need to think about it before the round starts. Give it a few rounds, and you'll be making up all sorts of random plans, and we'll all be behind you supporting you.

Advice for COs:

I will accept any command you send, but make sure it's sensible, and more important than what I am doing.. I have had times when I simply cannot do what I am asked, as I feel I am defending something more important. Or simply inform me of what you want me to do before just sending the order. Sometimes I can't see the reason behind your command, and it easier to know why you want me to do something.

**Vortex421** · 11-19-2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePenguineer

Am I the only one who finds it distressing that Vortex was thinking about us in the shower? :P

The IDEA, the IDEA. Geez, I don't think about you guys in the shower - that'd be enough for me to scrub my eyes with my shampoo. LOL

**Zoticus** · 11-19-2008, 10:33 AM

Name: Zoticus77
Age: 31

2142 Experience: 2 years
SL Experience: 1 year

Description of SLing Style: take-and-hold. I like to draw a line in the sand and keep the enemies filthy footprints out of my nice sand :-D Sometimes that means taking and holding 1 flag, or on the bigger maps a pair of flags or silos. On offense I like to take a back flag to open a 2nd flank. On defense I'm content to watch our back flag. Its my "sweeper" mentality from soccer. You might not make as many plays as the other players... but the plays you make can are frequently critical ones.

Offensive-minded or defensive-minded:
Defensive. Even on an map such as PAC on Cerbre I'm quite content to take Command and then sit there all round, even after the other squads are pushing down on Roadblock. I'll take the boring job so the team has an advantageous place to spawn from. I take pride in providing that.

What is your philosophy for SLing:
Have fun. Take pride in doing whatever task you undertake to the best of your ability.

Name your greatest weakness:
I should be more stern with SM's who aren't doing their jobs properly. I should remember to slow down when playing with an inexperienced squad so I don't get too far out ahead of them.

Advice for new SLs:
Let your squad know you are new. It changes everyone's attitude and expectations. People will forgive almost anything if they know you are new. You'll also find you get a lot more positive re-enforcement for the little things, which can help you become a better SL.

Advice for COs:
1. Find out what the squads intentions are before the round (i.d. attack, defend, anti-armour). Respect that during the round.
2. Don't give me "attack/defend" orders if I have a waypoint down in the area you're interested in. If I have a marker down north of Junkyard, you can be sure I'm going to attack it. I like to put down a lot of markers... having my squad where I want them is more important than your points, my points or their points.
3. Give concise, informative updates. Gloop was the master of this... he could summarize his Sat-Scan into a 5 second update.

**Spur** · 11-19-2008, 12:22 PM

How about a meet your sm thread? I am curious to see how people assess themselves as players.

**Vortex421** · 11-19-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spur

How about a meet your sm thread? I am curious to see how people assess themselves as players.

There are two more threads I'm planning.

I wanted to see if this would interest people at all or not.

**LordMeatwad** · 11-19-2008, 01:30 PM

Name: Lordmeatwad
Age: 27

2142 Experience: ~2 years
SL Experience: ~1.5 years

Description of SLing Style: FAST. Swift, Mobile, On Target. Mostly I lead from the front leaving my SM free until I need them to spawn on me during the next flag assault. Why? Because they are defending a flag I just took diverting the enemies attention while I move to my next target. - one red blip attracts less attention from the enemy commander. Also this creates two spawn points for my squad. One at the flag we are defending and one at the flag we are assaulting. I often look for who is dead and will tell them which spawn point to use depending on the situation.

Offensive-minded or defensive-minded: Offense, I am a Flag Taker

Name your greatest weakness: Impatience and a short temper which leads to me pushing flags alone.

Advice for new SLs: Three Step Plan
1. When you first SL think of your squad as your supporting members. Like your the Gradius Ship (VicViper) and your squad members are your Options. Like If you are playing a single player game and you are given AI allys. Only these allies are accurate and helpful. Once your comfortable in the SL role. i.e. You have the buttons and flag names down. Then worry about strategy and tactics.

2. First lesson in tactics is knowing the bleed and how it works. This helps you see the big picture. Failure to truly understand the bleed makes all your decisions as an SL wrong. For example: if there are TWO uncaps (no cap out possible) then bleed is determined by who holds more flags. If you have more flags then the enemy Defend what you have. If you do not defend you are only hurting your team by stretching your army to thin. Allowing for the other team to break behind you. SIMPLE example is TUNIS. If you hold two flags - DO NOT go for the third unless your own flag is being overwelmed and defense is not an option. If a cap out is possible then the team that can be capped out NEVER bleeds, the attacking team (can't be capped out) bleeds until they neutral ONE flag that defending team owns at start of map. Learn each map and how bleed works.

3. Learning individual tactics for assaulting and defending various flags. Realizing that your first objective in any assault is to get the flag neutral. Use your minimap and Cap locks map often when determining your squads orders.

Advice for COs: KNOW HOW BLEED WORKS. Don't be afraid to tell squads to stop pushing. Sometimes spotting the enemy and enemy armor is all you have to do. One red dot could always be a SL don't ignore it.

Favorite Squad names: Hero, TG-21st, 21st, Two one, 21

Other Comments: My favorite motivational poster

Gronigo · 11-19-2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordMeatwad

2. First lesson in tactics is knowing the bleed and how it works. This helps you see the big picture. Failure to truly understand the bleed makes all your decisions as an SL wrong. For example: if there are TWO uncaps (no cap out possible) then bleed is determined by who holds more flags. If you have more flags then the enemy Defend what you have. If you do not defend you are only hurting your team by stretching your army to thin. Allowing for the other team to break behind you. SIMPLE example is TUNIS. If you hold two flags - DO NOT go for the third unless your own flag is being overwelmed and defense is not an option. If a cap out is possible then the team that can be capped out NEVER bleeds, the attacking team (can't be capped out) bleeds until they neutral ONE flag that defending team owns at start of map. Learn each map and how bleed works.

Great tips Lord. I always wondered how the bleed mechanics worked exactly. Thanks for explaining it so clearly.

**Exploding_Silver** · 11-19-2008, 03:13 PM

Name: Silver.7
Age: 38

2142 Experience: ~2 years
SL Experience: ~2 years

Description of SLing Style: move, move move, cap, cap , cap. I am the spawn point and the order giver, I do strategy at the squad level and my guys do the killing and capping. I like the big win and think of the cap out every game

Offensive-minded or defensive-minded: offensive

Name your greatest weakness: capping out the enemy so fast they log off the server !

Advice for new SLs: squad up with good squad leads and make notes on how they do it, literally list the people in this threead and tick them off one at a time, also grab the names from this thread and seek them out even if its in PR or POE2

Advice for COs: use your mic, when scanning say which flags are busy or not

Any other comments: if you start SLing, you will soon have regulars for your squad, but dont get clicky and just play with the same people all the time, mix it up and make a point of having server visits in your squad, you learn more about SLing that way and they learn about TG

**Arithea** · 11-19-2008, 04:04 PM

Name: Arithea
Age: 26

2142 Experience: ~1.5 years
SL Experience: ~1 year (plus a couple months)

Description of SLing Style: Depends on the squad and the round. If I know I have a squad made up of players who have their heads in the game and have squadded with me before, I tend to be less specific and strict in my orders and more intensely focused. If my squad is full of people I know like to have fun, we joke around a lot more and occasionally do a few more risky maneuvers for sh**s and giggles. (E.g. on a stick.) But if I'm running a Learn TG squad--or one that includes a couple of new faces--I try to spell things out as much as I need to in order to be sure I get my point across clearly, but succinctly.

Offensive-minded or defensive-minded: Defensive--almost to a fault.

Name your greatest weakness: Overall battlefield awareness when not in direct communication with other squad leaders or the commander.

Advice for new SLs: Just do it! Best way to learn. Yes, it's good to squad with other good squad leaders and pay attention to what they're doing, but once you feel like you're comfortable leading five other lemmings toward the cliff, go for it! Find your own style of leadership. Everyone is different.

Advice for COs: Talk to me, but not too much. Many good CO's drive me absolutely crazy by constantly yakking in my ear while I'm trying to give orders to my squad or listening to the intel they're feeding me. And use the V key! I don't need to know the intimate details of every order you give every squad.

Any other comments: Nope.

Great thread idea, Vortex!

**austforbeer** · 11-19-2008, 04:16 PM

Name: Austforbeer
2142 Experience: ~2 years
SL Experience: ~1 year

Description of SLing Style: Aggressive close group coordination. When leading a squad I need to be leading, not just running and gunning. If you’re in my squad you’re going to want to keep close because I’m using the IDS and EMP’s so you don’t have to. I want my guys sticking close and keeping the revives up so we can keep moving and keep taking tickets. Together we stand.

What is your philosophy for Sling: The best defense is a good offense. Also I believe that you should always try to meet the enemy on your terms. Being in their face and prepared for close quarters combat when they’re not prepared/ready will make a world of difference.

Name your greatest weakness: Patience or lack thereof. And while I always try to focus on a supportive role my nature is to get into the action and get some kills. It’s a process that I am working towards.

Advice for new SLs: First, play in many different squads and pick and choose what you liked from the SL and incorporate it into your own style. Secondly, communicate! This falls back into what I said about being support oriented. Let your SM’s know what’s going on around them either from commander communication or what you plan on doing. Knowledge is power! Third, maintain confidence. If you want people to follow you they need to believe that you know what you’re doing, even if you don’t. But most of all, have fun.

rage4order · 11-19-2008, 05:09 PM

Name: Rage4Order
Age: 38

2142 Experience: ~2 years
SL Experience: ~1.5 years

Description of SLing Style: SLEDGEHAMMER and you better bring your runnin shoes. I am a light armor fast action player. I want to go deep at the start of every round and punish someone for trying to take that flag back. Example would be playing as EU on Sidi, I love the Military Outpost flag from the start. PAC on Belgrade you will find me at Monorail. Once I have that flag I will defend it till the bitter bloody end.

Offensive-minded or defensive-minded: Offense minded but understand bleed and when I should or shouldn't be pushing.

Name your greatest weakness: I find myself the tip of the spear way too often and will move without my squad and realize i am not reviveable.

Advice for new SLs: Meats post said it best...Understand bleed and when to be a hammer or when to hold back. Also, JUST DO IT! Is it intimidating, Yes at first but SL'ing at TG is about the most rewarding experience I have ever had in a video game community.

Advice for COs: Also with Meat here, understand the bleed dynamics of a map and when to send a squad to push vs. defend. Also i don't need to hear you the entire round, give me what I need and nothing more.

Other Comments: None at this time. Great job everyone.

Adaxa · 11-19-2008, 05:51 PM

Name: Adaxa

2142 Experience: ~1 years
SL Experience: ~ 2 months

Description of SLing Style: Depends on the map. However, I am primarily an offensive minded player, and will push when needed to. I tend to move around alot, so bring light armor. Primarily I am laid back, but when I order you to move somewhere, I want you to move.

Offensive-minded or defensive-minded: I favor offense, but I understand what "defense" means.
Name your greatest weakness: I tend to do really risky moves. So if you think I'm going to send you into a certain death situation, let me know.

Advice for new SLs: As many have said before me, just try it. SLing isn't that hard, and does not require a beacon.

Advice for COs: SLs are not superheroes. Keep your orders to a realistic level. Does it look like we're busy defending a flag from many hostiles? If so, then please don't order us to drop everything and move to some other flag.

Other comments: None really.

**Reaperassault** · 11-19-2008, 06:14 PM

Name: Reaperassault
Age: 20

2142 Experience: 58.5 days (in-game)
SL Experience: 31 days (in-game)

Description of SLing Style: I like to win, and do so by making sure my squad is fully utilized at all times. If I can being doing something more important else where that is where I need to be. This often includes very rapid changes in movement and great amounts of adaptability.

Offensive-minded or defensive-minded: Generally offensive but if defense is needed I'm a stone wall.

Name your greatest weakness: Anger. Yep I get angry when my squad starts to under perform. I often set my goals for the squad to high and often push for too much.

Greatest Strength: Timing. Knowing the flow of battle and when opportunity arises going straight for the jugular and never letting go. This is mainly from my large pool of experience.

Advice for new SLs: Understand how you learn and then don't be afraid to ask questions to the more experienced players, we like people who step up and want to achieve like we do.

Advice for COs: Not to diminish the position but you are a giant hub, information should flow in and out while being processed and delivered to the correct SL. SL experience as a CO helps greatly to be able to further understand the information and ideas that are useful to a SL on the field.

Other Comments: There are many people that may be intimidating but more often than not they don't bite (may be Arithea

). Believe it or not but I enjoy teaching, I just need people who are willing to put in their best effort. That's all it takes. Also don't worry about your skill level, with time you will get better so just put it in and you will be fine.

**Rasta-GR** · 11-20-2008, 10:45 AM

Name: Rasta-GR
Age: 41

2142 Experience: ~1 year
SL Experience: ~1 year

Description of SLing Style: Slow paced, relaxed style combat. I often retreat when bad things are on the way. I use move markers to position the squad to a specific place or to guide them through a path I have in mind.

Offensive-minded or defensive-minded: Defensive. Sometimes I like to be on offense, using the air transport or the APC.

What is your philosophy for SLing: Primary philosophy is to create moments of awesome fun for my squad. And to win the round! High scores does not mean a thing for me.

Name your greatest weakness: Poor situational awareness, crap shooting.

Advice for new SLs: Don't be afraid to step up on the SL role. As Zhohar said before me, you are going to suck! alot! And that is a good thing because you are going to learn - the hard way. Join the squads of other SL's and learn from them, read the Tactics forum and use in-game VOIP and TeamSpeak.

Advice for COs: If the squad has a special name, try to understand the meaning behind. If not, please ask the squad about.

Any other comments: Do not forget to create a friendly atmosphere for your squad. Allways welcome your SM's, just say "hello, xxxx (put SM name here) what's up?". Explain the mission, the objectives and the plan.
Do not forget to praise your squad for their combat actions, believe me this does miracles and boost morale to high values!

**Dictate** · 11-20-2008, 12:06 PM

Name: Dictate
Age: 19

2142 Experience: ~1 year
SL Experience: ~1 month

Description of SLing Style: Slow paced and fun most of the time. I do however like to accomplish objectives, and I will push my squad to do so.

Offensive-minded or defensive-minded: Defensive. I'd rather hold a flag. Offensive maneuvers from me are generally performed via buggy rushes and squad bombs.

What is your philosophy for SLing: I want my squad to have FUN! [I guess that's why the squad is named "FUNBUS" a lot.] However, winning is important, and losing comes with the game as well, and I accept that.

Name your greatest weakness: I'm not firm enough with squad members a lot of the time.

Advice for new SLs: Jump in and try it out. Be vocal too! Let your squad know you're new to squad leading, and that you may need some help along the way. Hey, you may even have some experienced squad leaders in your squad that'll lend you a hand.

Advice for COs: Please, let me know if a flag is hot before sending me to attack it. And also, tell me why you need me where you need me.

Any other comments: Relax and enjoy yourself. As long as you do that, you have fun, and your squad should have fun too.