Commanders Guide for Noobs

[Axxis]

I'd write one, but I can't, and here's why.....

I'm playing a game of conquest somewhere and we're getting slapped around pretty good. I realize we have no commander and figure, what the hey, I did some commanding in BF2 so I apply and get it, and realize.....

I cant figure out how to open the command screen. DOH!

Then I use the popup order-barking screen to promptly call in an orbital strike on myself.

The exit screen took too long to come up, so I just hit the reset button on the front of my computer.

I did do some extensive keypad remapping and might have mapped out my commander screen key but I couldnt find it in the control options keymap.

If somebody would put down a quick guide I'd appreciate it.
Thx.

[Zoopy]

try pushing "caps-lock" (defualt)

[vesuvan]

A guide would be handy, but I rather see a more in-depth one (with stratagies , tips, etc.).

[Axxis]

Actually thats what I'd like to see too, but it would be nice if it began with a run-through on how to make all the controls work and stuff. I'd like to think it would be beneficial to the game as a whole to have more people know how to command well. It really sucks when you get a commander that either doesnt do anything or constantly changes objectives to the point that nothing ever gets captured and held.

Oh, and I see in the keymap that caps-lock is assigned to "squad screen" I guess thats suppost to mean commander squad screen?

[SlyElmo]

Ignorant oik.

[SlyElmo]

Double post? Server lag...

[Zephro]

Pretty easy once you play a few rounds.
As usual, Caps Lock to open the Commander Menu.
Make full use of all the Assets.

Drop Supplies near highly contested areas to help your team.
Use Sat Track as soon as it's charged everytime to keep tabs on the opponent. Announce which cappable places are empty so your team can go cap them, or if a lone person is going to cap one of your sites. Also, spot enemies on the radar by zooming in, right clicking and selecting "Spot". Useful if there's a lone sniper picking off your team, no need to waste an UAV.

UAV sites which are about to be capped/defended by your team for a huge recon boost. EMP vehicles/clusters of enemies to annoy them for a bit.

That's about the basics.

[Buttoneer]

I foolishly applied last night.

Me=no real squad experience but nevertheless a team without a commander is a team that's going to lose the round.

And then I realised that the enemy had, within minutes of the game starting, capped the base flag and knocked out all the toys. I was always onto a loser.

I'll not make the mistake of applying so soon next time.

[古強者死神]

thats not true we win most of our games with no commander :p

commander is not nearly as usfull in 2142 as he was BF2... atleast on titan mode.


UAV has more downtime
No alterillery
No vechile drops

the commander got gimped big time, a reason for this was because in BF2 truely no commander = no win. But now the game doesnt rely so heavily on the position of one person, they did this on purpose to help balance the game.

Same holds true for conquest but atleast orbital strike is decent and can get a few kills here and there or hold off an enemy advance.

[Marvel]

Sorry but I'd say in "titan" mode, the commander is important. Who else is going to pilot the titan? Depending on the map, you can defend 3 silo points with a team of 4 on the titan fixing, manning, and protecting the titan.

For the conquest a good starter is the original totalbf2 commander guide. (http://www.totalbf2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6553)

[Jlspence]

I agree with Marvel on referencing back to the fine guide written by Birdkiller for BF2. One still hits the Caps Lock key to enter the Command Screen if they've applied and been accepted as Commander.

In BF2142 the Command Screen looks different but still has essentially the same elements as in BF2. The squad screen in the upper left corner of the Command Screen is smaller. It lists the squads that have formed and shows how many player are in each squad, their kit (or what type vehicle they're in), what unlocks they have and what the squad's current order is. The Commander can send comments to the squad by highlighting the squad (left mouse click on the squad number and then right mouse click on the radio icon. Commander Comments are similar to BF2:

Commend
Rebuke
Follow Orders!
Orbital Strike Incoming
Orbital Strike Available
EMP Incoming
EMP Available
Supplies Available
UAV Available
Divide Squad

Commander Actions are essentially the same as in BF2 with some changes in terminology and one addition. Actions available in no particular order are:

Zoom
Spotted
Orbital Strike
EMP Strike
UAV
Supply

To take a Commander Action, right mouse click on the map. It is often helpful to first Zoom in on the map to the highest level in order to more accurately place Orbital / EMP Strikes and supply drops.

Squad Leader Requests work just like they do in BF2. If a SL requests UAV/Orbital Strike/EMP/Supplies the request will be highlighted on the map. Simply right click on the highlighted request and click "Accept Request" or "Reject Request". If I reject a request I always follow up on VOIP with the reasoning (not available, I just did a sat scan and there are no enemies in your area - you don't need UAV, etc.)

At the bottom of the Command Screen are the recharge status indicators for Supplies, EMP Strike, Orbital Strike, Sat Scan and UAV. When they are fully filled in you as CO can deploy them again.

[HighDef8Bit]

try pushing "caps-lock" (defualt)

Owned.