What do you think about squad preferences?

[Sleepy Retard]

This isn't an official feedback thread, this is just me asking since I'm curious. The dev team will most likely not take this into consideration.

It's been a long long while since squad preferences were added. Over the past couple months, what are your opinions on it?

I, for one, love the new squad preferences. It lets me actually get to know my squad and does bring some fun RP with squad pride in such.

As well, what is your favourite squad and why is it Delta?

[solidfury7]

I think it's one of the better things implemented, it makes it easier to find myself amongst people I often serve with, have interactions with and build a bond with.

Overall I think it's been a major boost for roleplay quality and even quantity on the server.


Also, C H A R L I E - B R E A K F A S T

[Skysoldier]

I joined in probably a month ago or so, and I picked delta when I first started just because I like the colour blue (yeah what a suprise)

Nowadays, I like delta because honestly it has the best and overall nice people, only other squad I respect is charlie.

Honestly the squad preferences allows you to be with people and build somewhat of a /friendship/, and strengthens teamwork somewhat.

Oh shit, now I bet they will take this feature away to nerf muhrines.

[WinterClould]

I personally love it. Kinda love it so much that I wish it had the option to be more important then my Job preference. Sometimes when you roll Spec/SL/Medic/etc you'll get the role but you'll be in a different squad if someone else who gets it also has your squad set. I'd rather it go down to my next highest pref'd job if it meant I could at least be in my Charlie Squad.

[Feweh]

Promotes meta-gaming often times.

[Nubs]

I used to have a fav squad, but i turned it off. Sure, it sucks to be placed in a squad of baldies, but i'd rather be in one and do my best than always be in the same squad with all my pals.

[Sleepy Retard]

Promotes meta-gaming often times.

This is a big downside I've noticed but at least the meta people will stick with their squads rather than running off to delta as a bravo, or some such.

[TopHatPenguin]

It's effectively how it was in Pre-Alpha again, just the LO role isn't there so you don't have to ask for the squad, you just spawn in it.

Whether it leads to the same scenario that happened then, only time will tell.

[Blade2000Br]

Promotes meta-gaming often times.

you say that because grape squad best squad!

[Heckenshutze]

I usually roll random. I don't have preferences but it's nice to see you are in the same squad with people you know

[manezinho]

I almost never know or remember who's in/has been in my squad. I just stick with bravo cause I saw some cool RPers there. Haven't seen any issues with it personally.
TLDR: Me likey

[Hulkamania]

I really like recognizing and being recognized by other people, it really makes you feel like you're part of the community, and the squad preferences greatly aid that.

[Omicega]

As a newer player, I like being able to sit in the same squad most of the time because it helps you get a handle on at least a couple people. It's handy having those couple of really helpful Delta PFCs etc. who cover you because you've slapped them with trauma kits enough times to earn it.

That said, it takes maybe two games in any particular squad to see the metafriending/whatever it's called in action. It's not really a huge deal most of the time - but when you see a mini clump of PFCs charging around with shotguns not giving a shit ABOUT anyone else, or meme tier emote spam/dank LOOC maymays, it does give me the occasional twinge of wanting to turn squad pref off again. Overall, though, I think the option is more helpful than anything else.

[Sneakyr]

I'm fond of it. Not only do I like the color blue, but I also enjoy dodging FOB duty most times.

[Symbiosis]

I'm fond of it. Not only do I like the color blue, but I also enjoy dodging FOB duty most times.

Jokes on you, Delta becomes largest squad means they generally have two engineers... here comes FOB duty!!

[Crab_Spider]

Kind of don't like it. Promotes that squad elitism and meta cliques.

[Mook476]

I love it, and Delta is the best squad cause Delta is the biggest and the baddest.

[Blade2000Br]

Kind of don't like it. Promotes that squad elitism and meta cliques.

"Squad Elitism"

Just because it's a group of robust marines at Charlie that are wrecking havoc with xeno scum by taking off 2/3 of an hive of 35 ayys, doesn't mean it promotes elitism!

[Clayton_Kelly]

I like it. You can play with the same people more. In the military, squads have lots of training time together and RP wise we're already supposed to know everyone already so this helps with that.

[Crab_Spider]

"Squad Elitism"

Just because it's a group of robust marines at Charlie that are wrecking havoc with xeno scum by taking off 2/3 of an hive of 35 ayys, doesn't mean it promotes elitism!

Kek

[TheMaskedMan2]

Promotes a little bit of meta-buddying and such from time to times but I think overrall it lets the players involved have a better experience being able to play with familiar faces commonly.

[Mook476]

"Squad Elitism"

Just because it's a group of robust marines at Delta best squad Delta that are wrecking havoc with xeno scum by taking off 2/3 of an hive of 35 ayys, doesn't mean it promotes elitism!

Good way to word it.

[Hulkamania]

Why is Squad Elitism a bad thing, RP wise? I would think if you put a bunch of amped up macho marines itching for combat together, they'd probably be pretty competitive. Hell in the real world just dividing people into "Team A and Team B" Will cause people to get competitive, even if there's no competition.

[Crab_Spider]

Why is Squad Elitism a bad thing, RP wise? I would think if you put a bunch of amped up macho marines itching for combat together, they'd probably be pretty competitive. Hell in the real world just dividing people into "Team A and Team B" Will cause people to get competitive, even if there's no competition.

There are 4 Squads, and they're pushing for a common goal, and they joined for the same reasons as the next. While it isn't truly bad, it just creates that "Us VS Them" mentality and removes responsibility from everyone else when one squad fucks up.

[davidofmk771]

When I first started playing I chose alpha as my squad preference because I like the color red. However, after a few weeks, I changed it back to 'None' and found myself dropped into a few interesting situations regarding the squad cultures. When you are alpha, Deltards are the most dangerous thing you know. When you are Delta, you and your squad are the most badass dudes around and the other squads are just dead weight and bullet sponges. A good bit of this culture arises from commanders (often XO/SO acting commanders) recycling common starting tactics (ie. Alpha LZ1 FOB, Bravo scout west, Charlie scout east, Delta LZ2 FOB), and the persistent attitudes that arise from preforming these tasks consistently.

Now I can see a point being made here about squad elitism, but I doubt removing the preferences would remove the problem, but rather intensify it, leading players to abandon their squads and stick with each other instead. The only way to prevent players from forming OOC bonds with one another is to remove the ability to create your own persistent character altogether (please dont) or keep a constant eye on "server regulars" to make sure they aren't prioritizing names and sprites they recognize over seemingly-random players that could very well be pubbies.

At this point I still have no squad preferences, as I enjoy the RP-potential that random squad placement allows, but it would sadden me greatly if the cultures surrounding them were dampened by any means.