DontCamp.com

NTolerance · Administrator Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 1044

I still love you guys and don't intend to single anyone out, but I have heard several folks say that they don't want to be squad leader. We should discuss why folks feel this way and see if there are ways we can improve the perception of being squad leader.

What are your thoughts? Most of us have been playing a Battlefield series game on and off for maybe ten years or more. What's difficult or not fun about being squad leader? Is there something new in BF4 that makes it worse?

Dynamite Dan · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 12:46 pm Post subject:

I personally don't like being squad leader. For me (who struggles with the game to start with) the added task of assigning squad orders only adds to the multitude of things I'm trying to concentrate on.

As a side note, I am more of a passive player in online games, I prefer to assist and help, I would rather try and follow a good squad leader then to be one. A good Squad leader tends to have a better understanding of what's going on, not only with the flags but with the game mechanics as well.

NTolerance · Administrator Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 1044

Pretty sure you have Battlescreen set up, but can you confirm? I find that with Battlescreen I've got at least five seconds between spawns to look at the map to re-assess the squad orders.

Also, I think it's OK to play at a slower pace and take some time away from the battle to look at the map and see where we should be going.

Dynamite Dan · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 3:03 pm Post subject:

At the moment i am able to run a duel monitor setup (well, 1 monitor and 1 19" HD TV) So when playing Battlefield i am able to have another screen running, Yes i do use have battlescreen on the 2nd screen along Teamspeak.

However, when i get my Monitor back from HP it will take up a lot more room on my desk and ill have to re-assess weather or not I can run the HDTV aswell.

Once i'm confident with what i'm doing on the battlefield i will be able to concentrate more on tactics and squad leading, but until that point, i shall remain a non squad leader as much as i can.

Khaghabal · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 8:19 pm Post subject:

I Q spot everything I see moving, which results in the squad orders getting changed quite often. That's my biggest issue. I get focused on the enemy and don't remember to switch it back, or get tired of switching it back.

However... I'd much rather be a follower than a leader. I'm too indecisive. You pick an objective and I'll work with that.
_________________
Anyone seen my banstick?

Kapak · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:58 pm Post subject:

ProfessorZ · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:31 pm Post subject:

I like being the leader. The great thing about Dontcamp is that we all use teamspeak so its easy to ask "hey what point do you think we shoud go for?"

So a lot of times its really the squad as a group making the decision and then we all get the bonus XP from capturing objectives.

As a low-level player I crave XP. I love XP whoring to unlock more stuff Smile

So don't be offended but if you are leading my squad I'm gonna spam "Requesting Orders" to help remind you to Q spot for us Cool

_________________
Steam ID: ProfessorZ
Origin ID: ProfessorZ
BattleNet ID: ProfessorZ#11650

Super Wabbit · Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:02 pm Post subject:

I certainly don't mind playing as a squad leader. I'm not a fan of having to jump in and out of squads during a game simply because someone doesn't want to be a squad leader.

If you find yourself as a squad leader, and you feel uncomfortable telling people what to do or choosing objectives, just say so, but you're still going to be the squad leader. Like PZed said, we generally make decisions as a group (except when I'm in-charge). So when you find yourself as a squad leader and are unsure of where to go, ask the group!

Squad leaders are important as they help fill up your Field Upgrade bar. Field Upgrades can give you some very nice bonuses but you can only get them through squad XP. Capping the squad designated objectives helps with this. More importantly, squad objectives can keep us together. If there are pubbers in the squad, it'll help them too. Helping is good. These poor lonely souls not on TS need all the help we can get. I think a lot of pubbers enjoy a strong leader. I like a strong leader like I like my coffee...

Also, if there is a commander, squad objectives help him or her understand where his or her squads are going.

On the flip-side, I feel uncomfortable giving orders if I am not the squad leader. When I am following, I want strong leadership. I like the chain of command and I feel bossy when giving orders when I'm not the squad leader.

3rdRcn · Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:03 am Post subject:

I won't mind being a squad leader once I figure out the dynamics of the game a bit as it has been a couple years since playing the game. I don't want to have too much going on which leaves me not able to concentrate on learning to shoot people and capture objectives.

Baby steps for me.

NTolerance · Administrator Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Posts: 1044

Certainly there are some technical issues that make issuing orders harder than it should be. If I start spamming Q and mistakenly designate a target I'll just get on VOIP and say "belay that order". No big deal. I'd like to see the option to issue orders from the deploy screen, but it's doubtful that will ever happen.

One thing to consider: don't take squad leader too seriously. The main objective is to earn more points and keep the squad together. Sometimes we put on our master tactician hats, but most of the time we're just playing the game. Not much to it. Don't be afraid! It can be as simple as pressing Q on the point that you're currently near. It's far more important for the squad to stick together than for a debate to be held about which point to take.

I'm OK with being squad leader most of the time, but sometimes I need a break and I hope that we can share the responsibility.

More stuff: don't play in a squad without squad orders. With less organization and less field upgrade points available your team is more likely to lose the round. For instance, with squad orders giving field upgrade points you can earn three more rockets as an AT engineer. This can make the difference between taking down a tank and capping a point and getting pushed back towards your spawn.

phuktheadmins · Joined: 28 Apr 2014 Posts: 7

i hate being the SL and spamming commands when all I am trying to do is spot enemies. Usually if its a small map and i do that, i leave the Squad and rejoin...let someone else spam..