Squad Leader Archive
Thread: Where do Squad leaders fit into the scheme of things in SWG?? Why be a Squad Leader?
I've been an SL since 2003. In my opinion, we are
- a non-essential profession and we contribute little of significance from the view of most group members.
- I believe that SL is the least Mastered Prof on all galaxies, with total numbers in the <0.1% range of all toons. From my inquiries on TEMPEST...there has never been more than 12 characters with SL Prof at one time...and halfwere grinding thru them fast as they could.
- we do have measurable modifications from our presence or skills, but have less impact on group stats than many foods. Most people would rather have another CL80 Combat Prof in their group than an SL.
- If no one played SL on a server for a year....no one would notice or despair of it. I've never seen anyone trying to find an SL they could invite to their group cause they felt they needed one, except to blow a base.
Now the obvious question....am I nuts to keep playing an SL? There are a few reason I like SL, continue to play it, will keep it, and hope for the future:
- Many people assume mostSL enjoy and are good at leading groups...otherwise we wouldn't spend Skill Points on a profession we can't use solo. I'm such a person. Very many people don't really "lead" nor do they want to. Not everyone thinks this way, but I run into enough.
- I like the "idea" of an SLin terms of being the integrated withGCW. I mean role playing, combat, other functional and content based roles, and the mechanics of the GCW itself.I say "idea" because none of this exists now....of course nor does the GCW. HoweverI expect it will in some form in the future.
- The Publish 9 Squad Leader Revamp has to happen SOME DAY... just not in 2004 as planned...nor maybe even 2005 since it is no longer an active endeavor.
Message Edited by Lorianna_Aliishyn on 06-01-2005 04:41 PM
So if SL were given abiliteis unavailable to other professions in the battlefield system that I linked, would you consider yourself happy? on the way to becoming happy? indifferent? Take a min or two to look at it and tell me if you think that battlefield system is an opportunity to make professions like SL and Commando desirable without disrupting balance.
We are a very underappreciated profession. In most of the groups i go in, i have to BEG to be leader to help, and as I notice I buff every NOW AND THEN and no one notices when I do or dont. The buffs dont help, or at least not a large amount of help. Now wat shouldbe done is to increase the buff, or make more that would be vital to a group. Retreat is good if your in over your head, rally is good for a bit but doesnt help a whole lot, and al the others ones arent too great if you think about it. The most good a SL has is the + to group defense and such, but even that doesnt seem like it's a big deal. They need to beef up the SL a bit more. Me I enjoy being SL to help, but what good is helping if you dont do much at all. Doctors help way more than SL.
I'm still going to be an SL prolly for the rest of my time on SWG. I hope to see a revamp or additions to the SL profession to make us more valuable in groups. LONG LIVE THE SQUAD LEADERS!
Binstubbs wrote:
So if SL were given abiliteis unavailable to other professions in the battlefield system that I linked, would you consider yourself happy? on the way to becoming happy? indifferent? Take a min or two to look at it and tell me if you think that battlefield system is an opportunity to make professions like SL and Commando desirable without disrupting balance.
I'll be up front and say any battlefield system is totally undesirable as game mechanic. I never envisioned...and I think it would fail...if the GCW boiled down to a series of "arena fights". It just turns into a brawl. I think the mechanics of the GCW need to involve Imperials being part of the overt society and the rebel insurrgents being "insurrgents".
I don't think this kind of PvP will interest most people...and for many it'll be unplayable because of their PCs or internet connections.
I would much prefer also that bases become a static thing not owned by any players....someone else suggested having fights over their possession producing impacts on game play.
The problem is that from Beta until today, there is no impact of the status of the GCW on the game in ways that make it felt by players. It's simply inconsiquential....or simply doesn't exist as is the case now.
In order to resurrect the GCW, it has to A) incent people to play becuase it will have an affect on them, and B) primarily involve Normal Combat professions, and C) provide incentive for enough peole to become dedicated, hard-core GCW players (do not read hard-core gamers) and act as the core for this type of PvP and Role Playing.
I just dont' see any "arena" system as a successful game mechanic to bring the GCW to life and make participation in it desirable.
Yes the hardware issues are very discouraging, but I dont think it would be as demanding as space is now.
I dunno, I think the battlefields could be a fun and large part of the GCW, as opposed to the GCW being reduced to an arena fight as you say.
Plus there just isnt anywhere for SL's and Commandos to be anything worthwhile without imbalance.
/sigh.....I just hope the devs have something cooking, the game is really suffering from lack of incentive. And an atmosphere that is putting off so many.
You re selling the SL short.
Volleyfire with a good /sys command and nothing survices the initial attack of a full group, even when they are some level above you. Rally and steady aim, are pretty usefull, there is an although not very big but still noticeable effect when Im in a group, between when I AM the leader of the group or if Im NOT the leader of the group.
Further
A SL is not defined by his abilites (currently) BUT the player who plays it.
As a carbiner I got a pretty decent damage attack and some crowd control skills but when Im with a group im mostly LEADING in the group, neither doing crowd control nor damage but -player control-.
I tell them from which direction we are going to attack, I have multiple different /sys commands at hand to assign targets to my squad, I gather the group and try to organice them. I ll try to get them to work as a Team, to use their specials in benefit for the whole team. Root the targe, KD if the roots is over, snare while its running, root asap again. Blind targets that shoot , rather than root them since they dont follow you anyway and keep the group together thus making it easier for the Doc.
Its a hell of a fun seeing good teamwork
!