Too loyal?

[NeoTassadar]

It really depends on the situation. The commander (if he's just in the Sanctuary with a map) has a better idea of the sorrounding terrain, locations of friendly/enemy units, etc. But anyone in the heat of battle knows more about the general armanent and skill of the enemy, more exact position (and advantages therof) of those enemies immidately important. It would be best to have the medic, engineer, or hacker of the squad to report the specifics of this to the commander whenever he/she either hears of it or sees it personally, as those who are fighting are probably too busy to say anything very specific.

[Kyonye]

First command comes from the commander. he'll issue it. pending on the situation, the leader of the squad makes the decisions.

[Hellsfire123]

Originally posted by TheGreatCarbini
I am the rouge enginner, I appear from the shadows to maintain automobiles, then AWAY i go like a fox into a lake. WHOOSH!

Why would a fox go for the lake? If i were a fox id head for the forest...


In any case, my view of a commander comes from the book Ender's Game. If you havnt read this, read it before planetside release. I can finish it in about 4 hrs, but its well worth it. Author is Orson Scott Card.

Squads need to be broken down into smaller units, each with a commander. The lead commander gives each unit an objective, suggestions, but its up to the squad to determine how to achieve this objective. The overall battle is still controlled to a degree by the commander, but the people doing the fighting are the ones making sure no one dies needlessly.

[MrVulcan]

Originally posted by Ludio
I like that, a good saying for commanders to keep in mind. I just have a feeling that some commanders will want to tell people how to do stuff as well.

Btw, where did you get that? It was in "" so I assume you are quoting someone.

it is a quote from GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON, JR, the best general of all time

And a lot of commanders will tell people how to do things, but thats ok, just lets me destroy them faster


One quote for your command staff:
�If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.�

some other words of wisdom can be found here

http://www.generalpatton.com/quotes.html

it is one of the better collection of his quotes that I know of
Out side of the movie that is lol (love that movie)

I would list some of my favs... but there are too many good ones

[Ludio]

txMaddog, well that brings up another interesting point. In Planetside you will also have to keep your squad happy or else they will go off in search of other squads or battles. So defense will be tough unless it is a pro-active attack the next base type of offensive defense.

Hellsfire123, yes that is one of the sources for my idea of what a good commander should be. If you can only operate as a group with a strict heirarchy and only using set formations then it doesn't work so well, you gotta be flexible.

MrVulcan, well I don't agree with all of his quotes, but in general he has a lot of military wisdom in there. I would suggest all future commanders read through it.

[CDaws]

Originally posted by txMaddog
As a Commander I really wouldn't care how the mission got done as long as it did.

Now if said squad leader ran off to another base cause he was bored or heard that it was undefended ya I'd kick him.

Well stated. I for one, when an order is given by me or recieved, will do what ever I can to get that job done and I expect the same from my fellow squad mates. As a commander people will have to realise that if you just sit back on the side lines and tell your squad what to do and you don't bravely lead them into battle they will desert you. This is a team based game and I for one expect thoes who will be in my squad to follow me to victory while I earn there respect as a commander and they gain mine for being my squad. You just can't sit back and bark orders. If you die in battle, that's why you assign rank in your squad so that if that happens you still have a chain of command. Don't give real complex orders, simple ones like "take that base" or "wipe out that tank column" will work just fine. Let the squad figure out what tactics will work best from trial and error, that will make them all that much better in the long run.

[Falcon]

as a commander i would reward, ingeuity in battle situations, even if the battle didn't go quite exactly as planned.

[Falcon]

also if i were a commander i would be in the front line saying "charge!!!!!!!"

[MrVulcan]

Yep. You cant lead from the rear

[txMaddog]

I like a Layered Defense that includes static defenses (mines Turrets, etc) and active defenses (patrols, ambushes, etc). Hopefully that should keep the Squad happy until we either attack the next enemy base or the enemy counter-attacks.

[MrVulcan]

"In war the only sure defense is offense, and the efficiency of the offense depends on the warlike souls of those conducting it."

[ABRAXAAS]

Originally posted by MrVulcan
"In war the only sure defense is offense, and the efficiency of the offense depends on the warlike souls of those conducting it."

Actually its a careful ballance of both and making the enemy think your just deffending while you go on heavy offence late at night when there not expecting it