Re: SL Tactics- safe spawn or rush in?

**Damonte** · 02-23-2011, 02:00 PM

There are two recently bumped threads in the 2142 Tactics sub-forum that deal with the Otus.

**Harlequin** · 02-23-2011, 02:43 PM

I despise the beacon, unless it's being used properly I'd rather leave the squad than be forced to use that death trap. However, one of it's best uses is to drop one near a flag that is usually easy to lose, and then tell the squad not to use it until said flag is lost. Even then, it can still turn into a death-beacon unless you wait for the enemy to move on from that flag before you use it.

**E-Male** · 02-23-2011, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Harlequin

I despise the beacon, unless it's being used properly I'd rather leave the squad than be forced to use that death trap. However, one of it's best uses is to drop one near a flag that is usually easy to lose, and then tell the squad not to use it until said flag is lost. Even then, it can still turn into a death-beacon unless you wait for the enemy to move on from that flag before you use it.

Very helpful -- still, it seems to be widely used.

**Damonte** · 02-23-2011, 02:48 PM

Widely used by whom? Experienced TG Squad Leaders or otherwise?

One of the worst things that can happen to an SL using a beacon is for a wise enemy player to drop a medic kit or ammo hub on his beacon.

**E-Male** · 02-23-2011, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Damonte

Widely used by whom? Experienced TG Squad Leaders or otherwise?

At this point I cannot say -- perhaps you have some insight! I would love to hear your opinion on it.

**DrBeat** · 02-23-2011, 08:16 PM

A squad's best friend is a moving spawn-point. This means a quick-thinking SL who can move around, stay alive, and provide safe spawn. A hidden SL is better than any beacon as it gives no outward sign of spawning (unlike a beacon), it moves, and is much more flexible.

Flexibility and the greater choices it gives is an SL's best friend.

**Shane** · 02-23-2011, 08:45 PM

Beacons take a little practice to know how to use, 1. always stay mobile and safe spawn for sm like beat said. 2. If your gonna loose ground but know back up is close behind drop that beacon somewhere safe and pick it up as soon as possible. That will keep you and your squad from having to hike it back to that lost position. I think beacons are abused and not used properly in most cases, but can be a game changer if used right.

**Damonte** · 02-23-2011, 11:03 PM

Consider these factors when using a squad beacon:

When you deploy a beacon, the beacon becomes the squad spawn point, not the squad leader. If the beacon is destroyed, and the squad leader is still alive, the squad cannot spawn on the squad leader until he either (a) dies and spawns or (b) deploys another beacon.

The squad leader can always return the spawn point to himself by picking up the deployed beacon. However, he cannot do so if he has resupplied the beacon. Then, he must destroy the beacon, deploy the new one and pick it back up.

If the squad leader deploys a beacon and the squad leader dies, the beacon is still obviously the spawn point. However, if the enemy decides to sit in a nice circle around the beacon, they can kill anyone who spawns (drops from the sky) before they can get oriented. This is not spawn camping.

Finally, a deployed beacon can become un-spawnable if the enemy drops a medic hub or an ammo hub on the beacon. The squad leader can neither be spawned on nor can the beacon be spawned on. The squad leader cannot deploy another beacon because the first beacon is still in the field. This is the worst case scenario for a squad leader.

**Reaperassault** · 02-24-2011, 02:15 AM

To touch on what damonte mentioned. beacons do need line of sight to the sky to work. So placing a beacon is limited by the building and terrain but also by things that could get put on top of them (i.e. putting and ammo/med hub over the beacon).

This is a great/comical example of where not to put a beacon.

**Sargentkyle23** · 02-24-2011, 05:16 PM

Idk Reap...looks like a legit beacon to me.

**Harlequin** · 02-24-2011, 07:40 PM

It's a little too close to that wall, it needs to be out another foot or two.

**Groshak** · 02-26-2011, 05:32 PM

for me, a beacon is usefull in two cases.
1. standoff like harbor/toll on camp-g. just to keep the way short and keep the medics near the comrades who yould die.
2. i'm breaking through behing the enemie's lines. i would let the squad spawn on me and then i'd deploy a beacon somewhere in the back. (i.e. c-landing far north) so i can move in too and to be hanest, my skills to stay alive aren't that good.

for people like zohar, who just forget to die, a beacon is no option.