Squad Leader Archive
Thread: Impressions of First Real Leadership Role
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tekniko
Tue Feb 08, 2005 9:50 am
#1
I have led many groups on hunting expeditions, mostly because I am the only Ranger in our guild and I can more easily find the game. I have always assumed the leadership role, even if not actually the "group leader," by organizing the hunts and tracking the quarry. Like the Infantry motto says, "Follow Me!" This was our typical policy and it worked, but I thought there was room for improvement. So, I decided recently to add Squad Leader to my skill set. There are no other Squad Leaders in our guild, a grave oversight.
I had grouped up many times since earning Novice Squad Leader, but last night was the first time I actually led a group with the strict intention to play the part. The idea from the beginning was, "I am the leader, follow me." I explained the role and everyone was fine with the idea. This acceptance on the part of the other players is probably as important as anything.
I decided to test out the role by grabbing a bunch of missions that would challenge us while allowing each member to play a vital role. Our group consisted of myself (Ranger/SL/Rifleman), a combat medic, a bounty hunter, a rifleman, a TKA, and a pistoleer.
It was difficult at first to enforce the discipline needed for true squad dynamics, but /sysgroup helped greatly in that capacity. True to my previous experiences, no one was paying attention to the groupchat window, but everyone hopped when a system message was displayed. Discipline tightened up after only a single mission.
My rifle is excellent at extreme range (for this game), so I was able to stand back where I could see the entire field of action in order to more effectively direct the other team members. The rifleman stayed near to and slightly ahead of me the entire time as a security measure. The TKA and pistoleer were in the far field (from my perspective), directly confronting the creatures we fought. The bounty hunter and combat medic were mobile in the middle field.
Before confronting creatures we positioned ourselves for tactical advantage, then I would initiate combat with a /sysgroup message. The others attacked the target I chose, quickly destroying most creatures, moving from one to the next in an efficient and effective manner. The /formup and /rally commands proved invaluable when dealing with certain creatures. The bonus to terrain negotiation was nice and will prove helpful this weekend on Dathomir with a much larger group.
This differs greatly from past hunting trips and missions. Until now, we traditionally entered combat as a group, but would quickly degenerate into individuals fighting against whichever targets presented themselves, often spread across the landscape. Medics are hard pressed to keep up with wounds accruing quickly over such a broad battlefield. This is especially dangerous in some environments, such as Endor and Yavin.
More than anything else, I was impressed by the fact that we were now fighting as an effective and cohesive unit, a combat force, rather than a bunch of individuals engaged in combat at the same geographical location. There were far fewer incapacitated characters, recovery was quicker, and the benefits much greater because we can now run more missions with higher payouts in the same amount of time. This has real potential.
I had grouped up many times since earning Novice Squad Leader, but last night was the first time I actually led a group with the strict intention to play the part. The idea from the beginning was, "I am the leader, follow me." I explained the role and everyone was fine with the idea. This acceptance on the part of the other players is probably as important as anything.
I decided to test out the role by grabbing a bunch of missions that would challenge us while allowing each member to play a vital role. Our group consisted of myself (Ranger/SL/Rifleman), a combat medic, a bounty hunter, a rifleman, a TKA, and a pistoleer.
It was difficult at first to enforce the discipline needed for true squad dynamics, but /sysgroup helped greatly in that capacity. True to my previous experiences, no one was paying attention to the groupchat window, but everyone hopped when a system message was displayed. Discipline tightened up after only a single mission.
My rifle is excellent at extreme range (for this game), so I was able to stand back where I could see the entire field of action in order to more effectively direct the other team members. The rifleman stayed near to and slightly ahead of me the entire time as a security measure. The TKA and pistoleer were in the far field (from my perspective), directly confronting the creatures we fought. The bounty hunter and combat medic were mobile in the middle field.
Before confronting creatures we positioned ourselves for tactical advantage, then I would initiate combat with a /sysgroup message. The others attacked the target I chose, quickly destroying most creatures, moving from one to the next in an efficient and effective manner. The /formup and /rally commands proved invaluable when dealing with certain creatures. The bonus to terrain negotiation was nice and will prove helpful this weekend on Dathomir with a much larger group.
This differs greatly from past hunting trips and missions. Until now, we traditionally entered combat as a group, but would quickly degenerate into individuals fighting against whichever targets presented themselves, often spread across the landscape. Medics are hard pressed to keep up with wounds accruing quickly over such a broad battlefield. This is especially dangerous in some environments, such as Endor and Yavin.
More than anything else, I was impressed by the fact that we were now fighting as an effective and cohesive unit, a combat force, rather than a bunch of individuals engaged in combat at the same geographical location. There were far fewer incapacitated characters, recovery was quicker, and the benefits much greater because we can now run more missions with higher payouts in the same amount of time. This has real potential.
Kenbow2
Tue Feb 08, 2005 8:08 pm
#2
How are you Ranger, SL, and Rifelman all at once? What is your exact template, since its impossible to be masters of all 3?
tekniko
Wed Feb 09, 2005 7:54 am
#3
I never said master. I maintain a decent balance of skills. There are directions other than master (insert profession name here).
Message Edited by tekniko on 02-09-2005 01:44 PM
ob194
Wed Feb 09, 2005 11:08 am
#4
Well it sounds like you had a lot of fun, and did a good job too. 
Hopefully the big hunt you're planning goes just as good. 
_scout_
Thu Feb 10, 2005 2:46 am
#5
/congrat
My first hunt I called out for with my guild was a total mess. =(
I had easier times keeping discipline with newer players/toons and ppl who I don't knew then with my guild.
I just hadn't the authority to enforce discipline in my guild since ... I dont know... maybe because it was my 4th week in the guild.
But it just was a total mess.
It's getting better now =), now all know me a bit more....
=)
/sal
Long live the rebel alliance
[edit for spelling]
My first hunt I called out for with my guild was a total mess. =(
I had easier times keeping discipline with newer players/toons and ppl who I don't knew then with my guild.
I just hadn't the authority to enforce discipline in my guild since ... I dont know... maybe because it was my 4th week in the guild.
But it just was a total mess.
It's getting better now =), now all know me a bit more....
=)
/sal
Long live the rebel alliance
[edit for spelling]
Message Edited by _scout_ on 02-10-2005 10:47 AM
Jagstar_Waggler
Thu Feb 10, 2005 3:08 am
#6
I usually play this role and I have a template very similar to yours...
I am a:
master rifleman
Ranger 0-0-4-0 (tracking/hunting)
SL 3-0-4-3
Combat Prowess
3-0-0-0
Completely capped out on points.
I am viable as a support toon in PVP due to my ability to grant Burst with retreat and I can also redistribute wounds using /boo. And if a player runs I can track him using /areatrack for up to 500 meters. Especially since I hunt jedi and assit the bh at times.
I am also viable PVE since I track the beasties using ranger and MURDER anything PVE as a Rifleman... I am great at gathering hides/meats since I hve the hunting bonuses for ranger due to Tracking IV. And I can always find a Nightsister. :-)
I LOVE this template.
CAN be done.. and SHOULD be done
I am a:
master rifleman
Ranger 0-0-4-0 (tracking/hunting)
SL 3-0-4-3
Combat Prowess
3-0-0-0
Completely capped out on points.
I am viable as a support toon in PVP due to my ability to grant Burst with retreat and I can also redistribute wounds using /boo. And if a player runs I can track him using /areatrack for up to 500 meters. Especially since I hunt jedi and assit the bh at times.
I am also viable PVE since I track the beasties using ranger and MURDER anything PVE as a Rifleman... I am great at gathering hides/meats since I hve the hunting bonuses for ranger due to Tracking IV. And I can always find a Nightsister. :-)
I LOVE this template.
CAN be done.. and SHOULD be done
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