Squad Leader Archive
Thread: Making Something of SL
The inherent problem in becoming an SL in SWG is that it requires no leadership experience at all. In fact, most everything in game (thus far) can be obtained through some form of grind. So our profession will most undoubtedly be achieved by people who can't lead a squad out of a cardboard box. In fact, players can achieve Master SL without ever leading a squad of Player Characters at all. If a player is a CH, any kill they initiate will merit in SL xp.
The truth is, because of the lack of 'net benefit' for the SL profession right now is keeping players from doing that. I see a lot of characters that grind everything in SWG, and complain about nerfs while they move back and forth between classes. So with the SL class as it currently stands, because there is no benefit for them on their own, they ignore it.
So for those of us that are left here waiting for SOE to look at our class, I wonder if we should be acting more like leaders, and less like grinders. I have been trying to arrange an event on Eclipse called the Great Galactic Hunt, and have it be a contest between SL's. I have been attempting to make a business of leading Squads, hunts, and contracting out my services to make teams more efficient.
I know there are leaders of all types that are in this profession. I think that making the most of our profession, and showing people that we are capable of leading regardless of what commands we have will establish more respect for the SL title when people see us. I also think it might wake SOE up to the importance of the community of SL's. If we act like leaders, we'll merit more respect from both sides. That can't hurt in our pursuit of better skills. Not to mention it will increase the quality of gameplay across the board.
I also think that has to start here. We need to work together to make something of SL. That means coming up with events, strategies, something to make this community stand out. I think our profession requires more than in game skills.
Just my 2 cents.
I like the sentiment expressed here. And ofcourse most of us already feel this too.
I'm enjoying my character's Squad Leader status, as I'm treating it as part of my character's destiny, and although the perks of such a class in terms of game mechanics are limited at present, I still feel my character is a Squad Leader and play him such.
Scott
Dabion, you said a lot in a small post.
It happens you see our role exactly as I do. We aren't Squad Sarges to be the most Uber, or deliver the most damage. I shudder to hear the SL's who post they want commands that turn the squad into auto-robots. Real leaders don't lead by fear or rank, they lead by being respected, their input and advice sought, they catch their people doing something right as often as wrong.
Hereis some of my system;
1) Radar, set to 128 range is expanded to the height of my toon and located elevated and to the left of the avatar. I lead the way (if they have mission WPs they only need read me the waypoints I'll create my own temporarily). In high aggro areas I don't want em auto following I want them trailing by 30 meters + so if I get aggroed they aren't automatically involved.
2) I watch the radar constantly alternating Windscreen to radar and back. If someones pet stops at an invisible zone line its usually me that catches it before owner.
3) Every skill I use aids the group as a whole. And I pop spices to be able to use more of them. But I only use them on the fights it can make a difference in. A fight we are going to win anyway I figgure Im throwing my weight around to Rally-Volley etc. But when I do use 'em they figure at least I thought it nescessary.
4) I always (ALWAYS) applaud publically (in group) and criticize privately (in sends). So if I have a rifleman who knocks down an aggro Adder while the group kills the first AND a member forgot to keep scent masked and drew the aggro I send;
/g "WTG Billy Bob nice knockdowns on that second aggro Mate. Better 1 then 1 than two at a time."
/send Jimbo "Jim keep that Mask Scent up and we don't hafta worry about aggro till we're ready, k mate?"
/g "we ready ta move out? Ok, rollin' hot...."
Done this way people will responfd to advice without raising their hackles. And everyone appreciates an occasional atta-boy.
5) Whenever possible we have a de-brief what went right, what went wrong, what we could do better. Advice is soughtfrom any and ALLin these brainstormin' sessions. No idea is laughed at. Sometimes two "silly" ideas, twisted together, make a GREAT plan. If you belittle the people who came up with either you never got a good plan.
Jammer Ol' Sarge
Just by following simple rules of leadership, I have been able to run several successful Fort Tusken runs. In fact, what I take for granted as expected success, others in the group took as a Godsend; I was surprised to learn that members of the group were flabbergasted that under my Squad Leadership, no one had to die and start back in town (thus being forced to run 3,500m just to join with us again).
Now see, this is what I'm talking about. The sad thing is, I give a countdown before someone shows up with the old "you can do this just as well as a chef or the ultra-rare bounty hunter" argument.
I'm tired of it. I'm tired of the image that puts forth for us as a class. I don't want togive the oldaxiom "leaders make sacrifices" because I don't want to sound like I'm complacent with what we've got. But its true. I'm content to wait for everyone else to get fixed because there's only one of me inmy team and there are plenty of everything else.
And every time another class gets fixed, I find a new way to make one of my abilities useful.I like that.
As for the atta-boy / criticism idea, I tend to tailor my reactions to mistakes by person and the severity of the possible result of the mistake. I never rip anyone up right out in front of everyone unless its strike three or four, in which case anyone who has grouped with me before usually does it for me. And they always end with "You'd better quit, or you're gonna get everyone killed and then Ionian will get mad" and then someone else says that I'm teh pwn or something and to fear my wrath, and then we move on. It mightsounda little harsh, but what I have done (with the help of my group) is taught someone about the consequences of their actions when they are with other people and not just themselves. It'll make them better group members in other people's groups AND it will make them better players in general.
If I do have to give someone the Old Kentucky Boot, I do it quietly and as professionally as possible, and without yelling or namecalling. Sometimes its hard, especially when I'm told what a retard I am and that they were in Beta and they know a Dev and boy, am I making a mistake because they're gonna report me for it. Sometimes its very hard indeed. But I don't hesitate to kick because I have the best interest of my group in mind, and someone who is going to constantly endanger them with bad decisions doesn't have a place in my team.
Truth is, I AM a unique bounty hunter. I go against the grain. That's ok. That's my character profile. That doesn't mean that I'm going to say that any old player can do this.
That's just the point. Squad Leader is not for everyone.
As per positive vs negative reinforcement, it really depends on what image you are trying to project, and what kind of team you are leading. I tend to lead random teams more often than not, but do on ocassion lead a few regular teams. My approach varies primarily because I deal with a lot more people than most SL's. (That's not saying I'm better than anyone, I just take on random groups more often than most SL's).
In terms of a group of people you are used to, a good leader will figure out how the team best responds. If everyone hates you, chances are that you're being a little negative. If everyone thinks you're a fruit, you're probably being a bit too overboard with the positive comments.
Also keep in mind that being a leader may require proving to your team that you are capable. A Squad Leader does have somewhat of a duty (especially to the newbs) to express their experience and wisdom. A good Squad Leader is a point of contact and knowledge for teams. That means you need to be familiar with what your team is capable of.
Before I head out, I ask everyone what they are packing in terms of weaponry and other useful skills. E.g. who can camp, who can heal, etc. As they tell me their weapons, I recite the type of damage they can do, just to let them know that I know their weapon. If I don't, I ask them the damage type.
When they tell me the skills, I work on breaking down logical teams for the people I'm working with. The truth is... the more you impress your team with your knowledge of the game and how they can help the group, the more respect they will have for you and the commands you give.
With the large number of newbies I do get, I commonly get a few players who don't care, and just come along for the xp bonus. They tend to get people killed. Kicking them out to protect the team is something that your team will respect as well. I do wish there was a way to get a better handle on people like this. Unfortunately, there really isn't without affecting the game for everyone else. This is one of the benefits to constructing your own teams, but its something that I would suggest everyone deals with. If you don't, then when you are faced with it, you will have problems dealing with them.
Most importantly, use the resources you have. When an experienced player joins your party, let them be a point of contact. Delegate. On my Great Krayt Hunt, I divided the team out, I was the overall leader, but we had 30 people. I subdivided my team of 20 into groups, and had the most experienced players manage each of the subteams. On the other team of 10, I gave control to a BH friend of mine. He and I communicated in another chat room.
It was clear to everyone that I was ultimately in control though. When you use your resources effectively, reinforce your group in the way they best respond, and most importantly give people something to look forward to, you will do wonders.
Dabion