Commanders going down

[carlarc]

Lately I've been seeing that the COs are going down a whole lot more than they used to be, and when they don't the XO is probably going instead. I feel it's getting a little ridiculous. A few days ago my only interaction with the CO was in big red LZ1, I looked south with my binos and saw the dead CO's beret and headset laying on the ground next to a boiler.

I dunno, it's just getting kind of weird i guess and is starting to dilute the usefulness of it or something stop going down you assholes

[BillyBoBBizWorth]

Lately I've been seeing that the COs are going down a whole lot more than they used to be, and when they don't the XO is probably going instead. I feel it's getting a little ridiculous. A few days ago my only interaction with the CO was in big red LZ1, I looked south with my binos and saw the dead CO's beret and headset laying on the ground next to a boiler.

I dunno, it's just getting kind of weird i guess and is starting to dilute the usefulness of it or something stop going down you assholes

Whitelisted commanders being held to the highest standard as usual.

[caleeb101]

CO's going down isn't an issue at all. Infact, I encourage it. In the CIC, CO's sit down and basically do nothing that the XO cannot handle. Managing staff officers is more of the XO's job anyways. Having a CO on the ground can really help marines morale due to most CO's being popular players that the community themselves voted in and are willing to follow to the death. And if CO's see success while groundside, they gain a better reputation and people trust them more. So yes, it's good for CO's to go grounside and fight alongside their men.

[MattAtlas]

Honestly it's fine.

Encourages the XO to actually try to lead the op, aka what they signed up for by being XO. Counteracts of COs waking up from nowhere mid-op and taking the reigns from XO players, etc. If the CO dies that's on them tbh. Besides the CO can be a GREAT help planetside with all their skills + orders.

[Arbs]

As a usual Command player, going down is iffy. It can either be great and glorious or a total disaster. It's fun I won't lie, but It's situational and sometimes can be very useful, usually when it's that part of the round where squads have taken some hits and organization is breaking down or when the OW consoles can't keep up with the squad progress. It also needs to be done carefully.

As far as my experience as SO, XO/CO, I'll say that it's easier for an aCO to lead the operation from the CIC at least for the initial phase when squads are intact. Don't just sit in that console chair, make laps around the CIC consoles, check often and relay instructions. AVOID MICROMANAGING, it confuses the grunts, confuses you, and irritates everyone. Squad leaders are a very important factor, as they will be executing your orders while the LT oversees them and keeps them in track.

Planetside command, is best suited to a Lieutenant. Not as crucial or important as an XO/CO, yet still has excellent leadership skill set, the needed authority along with basic medical/engineering skills. Though often enough SOs are inexperienced players and end up fighting and dying instead of relaying information and organizing four squads at once.

An XO/CO in the ground is an SO++ for the fact that their issue order command is tougher and are expected to be more experienced players. (also have more presence, authority, encouragement, yada yada you know how that goes.)

When in the ground as Command Staff, binoculars are your best friend (especially tac-binos, since you can also call in fire missions mmmm). They allow you to see what's going on from afar and have some insight in analyzing the situation and relaying the information and recommended action for squads (to command or directly to squads).

Yes, there are times when you need to pick up a weapon and shoot, but that's not why you're there. Let the Grunts do the shooting and fighting for you. (unless they're incompetent and you need to encourage them a bit just enough to make them lead a push. (which is very risky).

So, in conclusion.

- Lead operation from CIC. Check consoles often. Communicate often. Stay engaged, stay in touch and follow closely. Do NOT micromanage.
- Only deploy if organization planetside is bad and marines need to be rallied or need faster direct orders. (When overwatch can't keep up.)
- If you deploy an officer, deploy someone experienced. SOs are a better choice to deploy than an XO/CO if they're skilled.
- As a Command officer on the ground, use binos to analyze situation, report it to command, recommend course of action. Communicate orders/instructions to squads and command from the insight that you have (and that they don't have). (Call fire missions if you have tac-binos, don't die though.)
- You're a " combat support" role. Don't be a grunt, you're an officer. Let the grunts do the shooting and you do the commanding. Also try to help with an adv. kit + defib to revive downed marines with light damage. Don't forget your skillset.
- Use the "Issue Order" command from the verb tabs.

Pro tip: Don't die.

Hope that's helpful.

[ThesoldierLLJK]

Many of the XO regulars lately are ethier
A. Waiting to apply for the whitelist
B. Have a whitelist application

Which means they should be given a chance to show their skills and be given control of the operation. This leads most of the COs to only RP on the ship or go down below and fight/give orders

[Arbs]

Actually as a CO, when I see a capable XO, someone applying for a whitelist or a new XO willing to learn, I encourage them to take over responsibility as well as assign them duties that I would be doing myself. I do my best to walk then through advices and tips in general and also try to make it more interesting for them in general.

But ill say thats not always the case. Sometimes you end up with bald XOs (or CIC staff), flatbrained ones, or even worse the ones that cause a confusion and contradict orders.