Attention COs : Talking to Individual Squad Leaders

**Lyramion** · 07-17-2007, 01:49 AM

We all love and appreciate your efforts in commanding!

But there still is one thing to be learned! That is the difference between...

and

The B button is great! it gives you the ability to talk to all squadleaders! Still tho there usually is information around the Battlefield that is only important to one of your Squads - and using the B button all the time will distract other Squadleaders from concentrating on their task.

This is the time the glorious V button comes into play.

Just highlight one or more squads wisely from the list in your commander screen. If you now push down the V button your orders will only be directed to those squads! A hugh advantage on the battlefield!

+

= OWNAGE

Thank you for your time and patience!

Sincerly Lyramion

**Zoraster** · 07-17-2007, 03:19 AM

yeah. i've actually got a key on my G15 programmed to press both the V and B keys at the same time. that way, when i get a CO who talks constantly and unnecessarily to all squads, I'll just transmit all of my squad communications to him as well.

Alas, I haven't used it yet.

Acreo Aeneas · 07-17-2007, 03:23 AM

Ack, I think we should also mention using the number keys is an easier way to select squads. 'Shift' to select down the list and 'Ctrl' to select multiple squads but not "down the list" like with Shift.

Birdman1011395 · 07-17-2007, 04:56 AM

Since we're talking about SL-CO communications, how about the SL's start giving a name or squad when talking to the CO? Got to say I'd like to help you out, but I need to know who you are.

**Chiefmedicman** · 07-17-2007, 05:20 AM

Situational Awareness, I personally like the commander that is continously using the B Key this leads to a battlefield "awareness" From what the commander is saying it can make or break a tactical thought I was having. I think if the CO is BS'ing with someone then yes please use the V key but all in all I find it very neccessary to know what is going on.

**MDFubar** · 07-17-2007, 08:45 AM

I think that Chief is right. The CO that is tell squad 1 to that they have multiple squads coming in from the north only tells squad 1 with V. But using the B key, squad 2 may be in a position to help out and offer assistance. Granted the Sl must be looking at the map and know thier own situation. It is good to a point to know what is going on on the entire battlefield.
Ther are times when it is good to use V also, specific instruction to a specific squad.
I believe that Imperator used the B key during the internal scrim, due to the amount of info I was recieving as an SL, and knowing where the opposition was pushing on our team was really helpful to our survival.

jonan_ · 07-17-2007, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bommando

If the CO wants me to help the squad next to me, he'll ask me to.

Exactly! If you are an SL and you are listening to the CO give orders to another squad and you decide to change what you are doing based on that it may mess up the CO's entire plan.

**Zoraster** · 07-17-2007, 10:55 AM

As a squad leader, use your minimap and the larger M map frequently for situational awareness. The CO should use B for the most important troop movements, but for the most part should use V or just spot players. I like my Commander to talk, but as I've discussed in my guide, I think all squad communication should be about 2% of the time and single squad communication about 5%. Those aren't exact or anything, and I don't think 5 and 15% is going to terribly bother people, but I think it's a good rule of thumb.

It drastically reduces the ability of the SL to lead if he has to listen to the CO constantly. Good squad leading is generally far more important to the success of a team than good commanding. That isn't to put down the CO's importance, but it's definitely true. Last, remember that if you're constantly talking on the B channel, the SLs won't have time to relay that information to their squad anyway.

**Damonte** · 07-17-2007, 11:32 AM

I command from time to time, and I tend to stick to the following process:
- When addressing an individual squad (default-V key) I'll usually preface by saying "Squad X..."
- When addressing all squads (default-B key) I'll usually preface by saying "All Squads..."

Likewise, when I'm receiving communications from the squads, I really like them to preface with "This is Squad X." I prefer a squad number, not a soldier name, or a squad name. It's just easier all around.

I personally like to try to keep the comms clear for intra-squad communications as possible. I'll only speak up when I need to give specific information or reinforce a movement command with some additional coordination.

PERFECTBULLET · 07-17-2007, 11:33 AM

I know I only use the B key when I'm in command. And the TG community knows I talk A LOT during a round.

The hat fits so I'll see what the glorious V button can do for me.

**Reaperassault** · 07-17-2007, 11:46 AM

kind of related but I have run into the occasion every once and a while that I want to mute the commander, is there a way to do that?

Aerosecurity · 07-17-2007, 01:02 PM

Ohh, I had to learn this myself one of the last times i was CO. When I am SL'ing I either do not hear the CO talk at all, or he talks too much and it's hard to keep up with the orders.
I have, on occasion, played with really good CO's and these are the times where we either win or come really close to winning.

BTW, nice sig, Reaper. (i'm guessing that's latin, translating roughly "It is time to die" or something like that). Hoping to play some more this fall semester.

Hidus · 07-17-2007, 04:14 PM

There are a number of commanders on the TG servers who with the best of intentions will relay every conceivable piece of intel via B chat. It's not even that they are sending commands intended for one squad to all squads - they are just talking a lot in general. Add in some random TS traffic in the background and I can't hear a damn thing my squadmates are saying. Please keep the B traffic down to essential intel if you are commanding.

Imperator · 07-17-2007, 04:29 PM

Perhaps I'm missing something but I don't see how using the V key would be an advantage on the battlefield.

When commanding I identify the squads I'm speaking to via their number or name. This should alleviate any confusion. I *want* all squad leaders to hear what I am ordering so that they can maintain a picture of our troop movements in their head, and perhaps respond to the situation quicker than if I were to order them to move.

When I'm a squad leader I am constantly calling up the map to monitor the position of my team, I appreciate a vocal commander that gives me the ability to plan movement based on what other squads are doing, or are being ordered to do.

Suffice to say, I have never had a reason to use the V key when commanding, and doubt I ever will.

Hidus · 07-17-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imperator

Perhaps I'm missing something but I don't see how using the V key would be an advantage on the battlefield.

When commanding I identify the squads I'm speaking to via their number or name. This should alleviate any confusion. I *want* all squad leaders to hear what I am ordering so that they can maintain a picture of our troop movements in their head, and perhaps respond to the situation quicker than if I were to order them to move.

When I'm a squad leader I am constantly calling up the map to monitor the position of my team, I appreciate a vocal commander that gives me the ability to plan movement based on what other squads are doing, or are being ordered to do.

Suffice to say, I have never had a reason to use the V key when commanding, and doubt I ever will.

For starters It's a pain to even remember what number squad you are since it changes round to round. If the commander is filtering intel properly then everything that crosses the wire applies to you so you don't have to constantly evaluate intel to figure out if they are talking to you or to some other guy. It's like the classic "dude he's right behind you!" line. Right behind who? By directing traffic the CO removes all ambiguity and the orders are more clear and precise.