Re: Why do people avoid SLing like the plague?

**Berlancic** · 04-07-2009, 06:34 PM

I've gotten the hang of it. Really fun, I'll go again later today if anyone's on for what was circushour.

2 things I do when SL:

*Looking at what went wrong (for example, what went wrong in an assault on a flag) and then finding out better solutions for those problems to come up with a final, overall better, solution.

*Setting the squad a sole goal; it can never just be achieved and that's it, it's something that the squad keeps striving to achieve. It is useful for keeping the squad focused.
For example: The squad's main objective as the BMP squad is to provide fire support for squad 1.

I really want to lead some more, good thing is school holidays are coming up, more PR for me!

**Hammell** · 04-07-2009, 11:19 PM

I love being SL. I'm not the best, but I try. I find that a lot of players welcome general orders, and the occasional word of advice. The only problem is whether they understand why you want them to do something that doesn't seem immediately beneficial, like holding a flank or defending a point. It's hard to balance. Especially with experienced players who generally aren't happy if you're not moving.

**Hobbzzzz** · 04-08-2009, 07:26 PM

Oi.

I hate it because when I first tried, I failed. And EVERYONE thought of me as a noob, and would kick me from there squads.

For instance,

Port. Cougar kicks me every time because the first time I joined, I lagged into a friendly tank when driving a squad member in a supply truck. So I think he hates me. (not that this has anything to do with sl'ing)

So I be scared.

**LeadMagnet** · 04-08-2009, 08:34 PM

Hate doing it myself. I spent nearly 21 years doing it as a noncom, why the hell would I want to hold everyone's hand in something I play to relax?

That and I'm used to giving guys an objective then letting them get on with it.

**Portable.Cougar** · 04-08-2009, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by Hobbzzzz

Port. Cougar kicks me every time because the first time I joined, I lagged into a friendly tank when driving a squad member in a supply truck. So I think he hates me. (not that this has anything to do with sl'ing)

So I be scared.

That Cougar guy is a dick.

Maybe Im forcing you to start Sl'ing

**xxSnowmanxx** · 04-08-2009, 09:48 PM

ya he has been a dick for a long time, you just have to be a bigger dick back to him is all.

Snowman out

**xxSnowmanxx** · 04-08-2009, 09:50 PM

And Sling is easy by the way.

Snowman out

**Golgo13** · 04-08-2009, 10:45 PM

They dont, but sometimes if you get all pubbies it can be tiersome. I was leading a squad attatched to an apc on Basrah. IN the open I was like stick to me Iam calling in apc support and sure enouhg one or 2 squadmembers ran into the HUGE FCKING EXPLOSIONS, how much stupid does that take.

And then there are the times where you are doing everything right, but the squad gets bored because it has to wait. If we cant do anything because on the flag is one tank and 2 apcs and air support is tied up elsewhere what can I do about it o.O ?

**Hobbzzzz** · 04-09-2009, 12:22 AM

Haha,

Quick reply on that one eh?

I've recently tried it more. But I feel more comfy just following orders.

**Rtoups** · 04-09-2009, 12:38 AM

Welcome to the forums, Hobbzzzz. Had fun on Ramiel sniping (against that dick, Cougar)...

**Wicks** · 04-09-2009, 06:11 AM

Being SL gives you the opportunity to make some truly epic, game breaking errors....and then blame it on your SM's.

For instance, if I am shot in the back it is because you the SM were not covering me, it was not because I was dithering , looking at my map, wondering what the hell to do next as I have rolled the last CO truck in the middle of nowhere and we now have to walk.

If we fail to cap a flag it is because my squad is a bunch of 'noobs' and did not move quickly enough, my orders would have worked, you just didn't follow them the way I intended.

If you were shot standing in the spot I told you to it is because you stood when I actually meant you should crouch! If you were any good you would have known I meant not to stand right there and that I actually meant crouch behind cover and not to stand in the open.....on my move marker.

If I bellow at you because you picked up a limited kit it is because I quite fancy just running around with the grenadier kit instead of SL'ing as this round is clearly going nowhere fast, I have a headache from thinking too much and I am not sure how or even if, we can win.

If I miss a shot it is because the squad is talking too much however conversely if I didn't see the guy to shoot at, then you weren't giving me enough information!

With all those excuses ready to fire how can you not want to SL.

It's like being an SM with a 5 man meat shield just sitting there waiting to take the blame for your mistakes. If they argue that they are failing because of their SL's incompetence berate them gently in front of the other squad members, pointing out that you are in communication with the other Sl's and the Co and they do not have the full tactical picture. Without this real-time intelligence they could not possibly understand whether they are right or not. Advise the insubordinate noob that you will tolerate their 'stupidity' for now but "no more pick up kits for them" and they are medic next time they die, then point out that another outburst like that and they will be kicked from the squad! This has many benefits such as instilling fear in the other squad members and reinforcing your iron grip over the psyche of the squad as a whole.

(Tongue firmly in cheek)

Sometimes it works out ok as well!

**Hobbzzzz** · 04-09-2009, 09:23 AM

Yeah Rtoups, I'll make sure to get the Med Kit next time =)

**[F|H]ViVi** · 04-09-2009, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by A.WICKENS

Being SL gives you the opportunity to make some truly epic, game breaking errors....and then blame it on your SM's.

For instance, if I am shot in the back it is because you the SM were not covering me, it was not because I was dithering , looking at my map, wondering what the hell to do next as I have rolled the last CO truck in the middle of nowhere and we now have to walk.

If we fail to cap a flag it is because my squad is a bunch of 'noobs' and did not move quickly enough, my orders would have worked, you just didn't follow them the way I intended.

If you were shot standing in the spot I told you to it is because you stood when I actually meant you should crouch! If you were any good you would have known I meant not to stand right there and that I actually meant crouch behind cover and not to stand in the open.....on my move marker.

If I bellow at you because you picked up a limited kit it is because I quite fancy just running around with the grenadier kit instead of SL'ing as this round is clearly going nowhere fast, I have a headache from thinking too much and I am not sure how or even if, we can win.

If I miss a shot it is because the squad is talking too much however conversely if I didn't see the guy to shoot at, then you weren't giving me enough information!

With all those excuses ready to fire how can you not want to SL.

It's like being an SM with a 5 man meat shield just sitting there waiting to take the blame for your mistakes. If they argue that they are failing because of their SL's incompetence berate them gently in front of the other squad members, pointing out that you are in communication with the other Sl's and the Co and they do not have the full tactical picture. Without this real-time intelligence they could not possibly understand whether they are right or not. Advise the insubordinate noob that you will tolerate their 'stupidity' for now but "no more pick up kits for them" and they are medic next time they die, then point out that another outburst like that and they will be kicked from the squad! This has many benefits such as instilling fear in the other squad members and reinforcing your iron grip over the psyche of the squad as a whole.

(Tongue firmly in cheek)

Sometimes it works out ok as well!

"why the **** do I care what my niece said in the car" - A Wickens.

Delta*RandyShugart* · 04-09-2009, 01:00 PM

I have gotten back into SL'ing, I do encourage and enjoy new players in my squads, however it is very nice and takes some weight off of your shoulders when you have experienced players who don't need to be told exactly how they should be standing or covering when you give a move, attack, or observe order.

It is also very well assuring that when you have 1 or 2 medics in the squad they say "remember 2 medics should not be healing one person" before you say, that is a sure sign that things are going to go well that round even if you lose all the flags within 20 minutes.

There are good days and then there are more frustrating ones, but in the end i have come to realize that if my squad is putting down fire, there is a slight chance of another squadmember from a different squad who will run in front of us and then ask why he was tk'ed.......but fortunately that has not happened in 49 hours.

Do not be fearful of assigning players kits, even if this is your 3rd time being an SL and you are the leader of a squad of regulars, voice your opinion on who takes what, and what path you are going to take, let them know that if you plan on defending/doing scout work and they are not up to playing the defensive or moving slowly then they can leave if they want (this is usually very helpful in the beginning), be courteous but also address your orders clearly and tell them what to do.

It comes and goes, look at other squads as possible support teams, but do not rely on them, the minute you rely on other squads is the minute that your squad will succumb to the bowels of the black screen of death. If you work in conjunction with another squad remember that they are a support unit, they are not 6 extra members in your squad (unless you are all on the same TS channel and are doing some RCT stuff).

be patient, set rally points, don't feel that you need to set them close to enemy flags if they are farther away sometimes that is the safest option and can help in the long run.

If you are shot and go down, don't give up, wait for a medic, pull up the screen to quickly let your squad know where you got shot and where you are located to be revived.

Remember the Plague was overrun, it took a while but then things went back to normal. This too shall pass, don't be afraid to SL, its nice to see new faces on the SL spot and those in this thread who don't, well then if i see you in my squad i might just ask you to take over............give it a few tries.....it can't hurt.

**gerardnm** · 04-11-2009, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by Fighter

I have just had a burst of new confidence. Everyone has inspired me to go in there and squad lead like I never have before!

Well maybe you shouldn't drive trucks straight into the middle of the village on the insurgent maps wehn your whole squas yellin stop and telling you cop on.........did you notice you went from a full squad to almost empty after u crashed 5 comm trucks in a row and generally messed around.

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