Re: Why do people avoid SLing like the plague?

Delta*RandyShugart* · 04-03-2009, 03:48 PM

if the amount of players who constantly use armor (including APC's AA you get the idea) or transport helicopters/jets/attack helicopters or CAS for helos and jets on a daily basis squad leaded more on the ground, more squad leaders would then be produced and so on. Ultimately leading to this thread solving itself IMHO. However until those who constantly use armor or fly helos/jets etc daily switch it up and ground pound allowing others to lead in armor, helos, etc, threads like this will continue to receive replies.

Might be a bit harsh, but its the truth from my own eyes IMHO........Especially when normal infantry squad leaders decide to use Armor, or Helo's or do CAS, and then people ask why there are no infantry squads and only armor, CAS, Helo squads.

Also, it takes practice, no one off the bat right away is a great SL, who knows maybe there are those, but i know it took me a while to become a decent SL, and each round that I am a SL i see where i can make improvements. I also think sometimes the map does unfortuneately play a part which it shouldn't but for infantry it does, that is why communication is key amongst sl's and the members of their squads and other SL's on the same team......

**Axis_Sniper** · 04-03-2009, 05:19 PM

I think the hardest part for being a squad leader, is communicating between your teammates and what you want them to do. I think of myself as a lenient SL, and when someone chooses a kit, or does something I tell them not to, I explain I don't want them to do that, or tell them not to choose a kit unless asked. But then, instead of choosing a Sniper kit and running off, they pull out the Marksman kit and run off... I lay me face on the keyboard and say, "Screw it." And try to make due with what I got.

**kuro570** · 04-03-2009, 09:46 PM

For me bing a Sl is that I notice that ppl just don't listen like 40% of the time and that can be frustrating when your telling someone to drop down some smoke for cover so you can run across a street that's taking heavy fire on maps on like Muttrah City v2 or ppl wouldn't load out certain kits that you asked for when they die etc.

**Sonic** · 04-03-2009, 10:45 PM

As others have mentions their solutions to insubordination. I just kick right away. New members will join, don't frusturate yourself.

You get frusturated and then you blame your SMs, then no one has fun and you end up looking like a douche.

**Axis_Sniper** · 04-03-2009, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by Sonic

As others have mentions their solutions to insubordination. I just kick right away. New members will join, don't frusturate yourself.

You get frusturated and then you blame your SMs, then no one has fun and you end up looking like a douche.

I never vent my fustrations on my teammates. I always think of someway to work things out, as well as telling them that not all Squad Leaders will accept you picking up a kit without asking, or something along those lines.

**Portable.Cougar** · 04-03-2009, 11:35 PM

Step 1. Create squad
Step 2. Say Hi
Step 3. Do what ever you want

**d1sp0sabl3H3r0** · 04-03-2009, 11:59 PM

Well, Garth pretty much summarizes the apprehensions of most people to squad leading because it involves......change

[MEDIA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlkOx3v-uCo[/MEDIA]

Seriously, it's not scary. Drop the aversion to accepting responsibility. Besides, you get colored smoke!!!

**Portable.Cougar** · 04-04-2009, 01:08 AM

great point

You can paint an area with great colored smoke. I like the purple stuff

**Axis_Sniper** · 04-04-2009, 02:07 AM

If in doubt, color the...trouts?

**TMan** · 04-04-2009, 04:28 AM

I am planning another basic infantry / basic SL class for TGU. I hope to have it ready to go near the end of April. If you want some basic tips on being a SL and moving in a few basic formations, watch for the class announcement in a week or so.

TMAN

**Berlancic** · 04-04-2009, 04:48 AM

Yeah, I'm a newbie, done it a few times. You have to be in the mood for it. If I'm feeling a bit tired because it's midday or something and my SL has to go, I'm just like "ug..", join another squad or play battelfield vietnam.

There are quite a few reasons people avoid SLing:

1, they compare themselves to vet SL's, and don't SL because they aren't hotshot

2, We're all just nervous

3, Not in the mood

4, as a newb SL, you seem to pick up people that can't seem to follow orders and focus, as I once discovered; it's hard commanding a squad when people start to do their own thing and 1 doesn't speak english (you can't blame anyone for not speaking english though, that would just be unfair).

But I guess that as an SL you have to take into account that you may not get the type of squad members you want; that you have to communicate on a different level.

5, MOST IMPORTANT, stress, everything a squad leader has to do can be annoying and stressing. Especially communicating with the commander and squad members.

**TurkishDelight** · 04-04-2009, 05:01 AM

Turkish's guide to SL'ing:

1. Grab the Bull by the horns(or testicles).....

2. Don't be a girl about it, unless you roll that way and you want to....

3. Kill the aforementioned bull, eat it, and eat its family.

4. Parade around in clothes drenched with the blood of said bull. Kill those that look at you funny whilst parading....Eat them too.

5. Do what you want, you have just grabbed the bull by its horns, stopped being a girl, killed it and its family, paraded around in its blood, and then killed and ate any who had an aversion to any of the aforementioned activities.

6. Once the round ends repeat steps 1 through 6.

Congrats, you now have the necessary experience and badass-ness to lead a squad of your E-Peers.

**Berlancic** · 04-04-2009, 05:12 AM

If someone's just being.. well.. an ass, then it is appropriate to kick them. Even though I've led a squad less than 10 times, I never try to shout or get angry at my SM's. I just try and think of what went wrong and how to improve it.

In short, not playing the blame game, just looking at the problems to find a better solution.

**Wicks** · 04-04-2009, 08:44 AM

Turkish, genius!

"You must spread reputation around before blah blah"

**Eavy Gunner** · 04-04-2009, 09:49 AM

Personnally, I blame the fear of failure mostly. New players get very anxious infront of you guys (Yes you!), and are very afraid of cocking it up. When someone has ever made a mistake, you just need to gently say to them how to correct it. Shouting into your microphone, blaspheming and rage quitting the squad will not make this any easier surpisingly. Some of the times, people don't squad lead because they can't really be bothered. You've got to break the "new" boundary (Game related and the server) before some one feels comfortable leading.

That said, some people aren't natural leaders, and are much more content with following, and no matter how much bull horn grabbing advice you give them, their still going to stay away. But every squad's need good followers, and they slot nicely into it. Don't worry, it's not just PR related, it happens in other games as well. When people are nervous, they won't lay down their discipline boot, and so sometimes the squad endings up running riot. That's why a lot of "pubbie" squads go a bit haywire.

I think the worst part of squad leading is leading a squad of people unfamiliar to you, as you don't now their reactions to your plans, their talents and their attitudes towards you. If you lead a squad of friends, your much more relaxed, which usually leads to more confidence.

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