What's easier? SL or SO?

[James5734]

Just posting this to see what people think. Kinda feel like most people will say SO

[xywenx00]

You're right, most people will say SO. As SO you just sit on your ass all day and command people every now and then.

[JennerH]

Personally, SL is harder physically but SO gets to see how everyone dies and has to think about that and what he could have done to prevent it, as well as having control over OBs supplies and the overall command of his assigned squad. Plus an SL hardly ever becomes the highest ranking unit on the almayer, while SOs end up leading often on lowpop

[CraayyZ]

I personally think SO is easier compared to SL.

SO has a cozy room he can sit in, smoke cigarettes all day, gets to sit on his ass all day keeping up with the demands of his squad and the Commander's orders.

While the SL has to gear up, rig up, ass in gear, go planetside, wander about, chance of being targeted (muh target meta) keep up communication with his/her squad, while also being on top of supply demands, and the demands of Command. Did I mention not die, at all? Baldies FF'ing also increase the risk as well.

If I had to choose to play as one or the other, I'd probably play as a SL. Masochism is nothing to me, I already mainly main medic so it's nothing new.. just more responsibility.

[DeusMortis]

SO's by far the easier one. Their responsibilities are to report if any squad members die, tell RO to ready a crate of supplies if the squad is low, and relay any orders for the squad you're overwatching. (Also, properly launching Orbitals.)

SL, you have to make sure you're squad doesn't run off to their deaths, not lead your own squads to their deaths, not die yourself, make sure everyone in the squad has a fair amount of supplies, and complete whatever objective Command's issued you. Don't forget to keep morale up and make sure you're squad is still listening to you by not being a silent SL.

[Heckenshutze]

Both are hard in their own ways.

[4thsurviver]

The only real difficulties in SO are needing the patience to sit around looking at other people play for 2 hours, making sure you don't fire OBs on marines, and nagging cargo to get your squad supplies ready.

I think in all but the most extreme circumstances SO will always be easier then SL. Also as SO you have a much easier time passing blame then the SL does. OB your squad? Say SL gave you bad coords. Supply drop arriving too late? Well Cargo wouldn't stop dragging their feet. Of course doing it too much might just result in you being lynched by marines or executed.

[jalen earl]

SO is easier you are just a middle man for operations. It is terrible if your assigned SL doesn't listen to you though. But if you have a squad that listens it can be pretty fun.

Also can be a nightmare to play if you are on low pop because there is a high chance you will end up as acting commander. Happened the first time i tried it.

Read up on CO, XO functions if you want to avoid killing everyone like i did.

[Arbs]

I have to say that an SO is easier to play, it doesnt necessarily require robustness.

And anyone can be an SO, but being a good one reqires a sharp mind on thinking out srtategies and tactics, getting familiar and close to your troops, being dedicated to watching over the squad members as well as understanding the responsibility that you as part of command carry.

But both roles usually fill in for one another to some point. A good SL can compensate for a bad SO (until its time for an OB then youre screwed) and vice versa.

[solidfury7]

SO is easier but if competent and skilled enough can have a bigger effect on the round overall due to being out of physical danger and always having a leadership role.

Its also great for roleplay, it provides insight in to every role and allows you a way to objectively learn hands on.

It's like spectating in deadchat, but having the ability.to stop people fucking up. It's really satisfying and is a really good way to get good at most leadership and logistic rounds really fast.

I'd advise anyway who wants to SL play SO first.

And remember to have some banter or relationship with your squad. It makes all the difference.

[Kesserline]

What Arbs and what Solidfury said. Strictly that.

(But, damn, ask how to OB if you don't know, don't gamble it like a baldie person and ruin the entire USCM because you refused to ask a simple question)

[alekfenrir]

(But, damn, ask how to OB if you don't know, don't gamble it like a baldie person and ruin the entire USCM because you refused to ask a simple question)

I've been under a couple of those now, please ask before pushing the big red button! Also echo the other things they’ve said. Have some banter with your guys and girls. Get on the squad channel, heckle, talk to them, joke, and they'll respond much more if they see you're involved.

[Drownie]

SL-
You have to be communicative.
You have to coordinate your Squad, watch the flanks and inform command everytime about the situation.
You have to perfom good OBs, CAS and flanks.

SO-
Stay on CIC asking for the XO/CO orders from the Squad that you're overwatching, and passing them to the Squad.
Control the Supplies and avoid OB FF.

[Counter-Terrorist]

The easier job of the two is most definitely SO if you have one squad that is if you have more than two squads then SL is much easier (Game wise that is). The reason I picked SO is because while you have to manage all those radio frequencies, make sure your squad(s) supplied, and make sure your OB offsets are right, all you have to do is make sure the squad you are overwatching is following orders and watching their helmet cams as you gather information. When compared to being a SL, it is a much harder job since you have to reign in your squad, devise flanking maneuvers, communicate with CAS when calling for CAS, dropping the OB as close as possible to the enemy, shoot the enemy, stay alive, and also keep your squad alive too. However if the SO has more than two squads the job becomes more difficult as the SO must turn on more radio channels which will make it more difficult to gather information, get supply orders, and get OB offsets. The SO is more prone to create more mistakes and due to that, consequences can happen which can effect the round. If the SO is the only person active in CIC then they are the acting commander which makes it even harder as they have to devise a plan for each squad while also listening into each squad channel to do what I have previously stated.

[McRamon]

being bad SL may lead to a disaster but being bad SO means nothing, others can even pretend you just dont exist. but being best SO ever is pretty hard work, not sure what is harder, top SL or top SO. Well, on the second thought, you have always fighting part with SL so yeah, technically it is harder

[Kesserline]

I'll give you an example of a good SO.

Big Red, arriving to Resaerch Lab, getting ambushed by Xenos.

The dipshits at FOB not even fixing comms for 30 minutes.

I set the OB next to the wall.

My LT (Alan Jones), without any comms, set himself the offset to not harm me or my squad (or at least in the least possible way possible). He launch the OB, without comms. Killing aliens and saving my squad from a heavy push.

That is a good LT. Tactical think, tactical reasoning, tactical decision. That, and the good comms afterwards.

Having a decent SL is the basis of a marine victory.
Having a good LT is, in the most cases, only a force multiplier (the best LT, with the worst SL, will be like multiplying 0 with any number you like, you'll always end with 0.)