Learning To Be A Commander
MONSTERFACE
Join Date: 2004-11-02 Member: 32607Members
Join Date: 2004-11-02 Member: 32607Members
<div class="IPBDescription">How did you go about doing it?</div> Hi people, I just recently started trying to be a commander and I enjoy it quite a bit. Just for one thing I am REALLY REALLY HORRIBLE at it. Usually as soon as I jump in the commander chair I get ejected immediatly. Or in some cases Ive gotten banned from like 3 servers for being a commander. I'm not awful (Like wasting resources on dumb buildings) im just a little slow on the building and ordering marines to do stuff.
But anyways, learning to be a commander is harsh. I never get the oppurtunity to learn because I get booted or banned.
How did you guys learn to be a commander without getting ejected or banned almost immediatly?
-MONSTERFACE <!--emo&::tsa::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tsa.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tsa.gif' /><!--endemo-->
But anyways, learning to be a commander is harsh. I never get the oppurtunity to learn because I get booted or banned.
How did you guys learn to be a commander without getting ejected or banned almost immediatly?
-MONSTERFACE <!--emo&::tsa::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tsa.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tsa.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Comments
but the way i learnt how to comm was waiting at base for the commander to build learn the order which they build and once you have learnt that and can get into the comm chair follow your rines orders so if they moving as a team to dbl and they build RTs do it... if theres a rine outside the hive and you got PGs and he asks for one give it em...
i wouldnt surgest listning to me though i suck at comm <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Least that's what I did.
also did a few good hours of gameplay before going comm live
going come life on a newbie friendly server
If you are too slow to keep up with the game, then you will get ejected (rightfully so). The only way to gain some initial speed is to adjust to the interface, and a lan game with cheats on (simply so the game will start, but bigdig really cuts down on the annoyance factor) is the best way to get it.
also did a few good hours of gameplay before going comm live
going come life on a newbie friendly server <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ah yes, thats what i always do whenever i am new to a game. Go to school ,install it into like 10 or 20 computers, get a big lan game going, and learn as i let my fellow commrads die a horrific death <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> It is tough being a commander at first but once you get down the basics, your good to go <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Why most commanders get ejected:::
NOTHING makes marines more angry than having to wait for a simple, reasonable request. Things like placing the first resource node. Things like getting upgrades going when you have 100 resources. Those are all things that you should strive to do without thought and hesitation. Yes you'll forget sometimes, but when you are reminded by a teammate, you need to JUMP.
i die inside every second that i see the arms lab is idle while we have more than 50 resources.
We can see what upgrades you have just purchased, what ammo, medpacks, or buildings you have just dropped. If I have just placed a request for an item, and 10 seconds goes by without the commander having done anything at all across the map, that's when i eject. If the commander tells me that he's busy citing a turret factory or a phase gate i can forgive him, but when 10 seconds goes by with NO SIGNS OF LIFE, it's time to eject.
Always avoid a panic attack that freezes you. If you have 5 requests going, tell your marines SOMETHING, even it's just a "ONE SECOND" or "i'm busy" ... you have to say something. And then it's important to DO SOMETHING. If marines can see or hear that you are doing things elsewhere, they can relax and wait a few seconds for your attention.
Simple and short tip? Put your arms lab and observatory on hot keys. This saves lives and makes things easier for you. much easier.
Save yourself a lot of trouble: Play many, many games as marine AND alien before going commander for the first time. Learn the tech tree, learn some of the "implications" of doing such and such, learn counters, and just have a basic understanding of the path to victory. Then assume leadership, and be READY for a very, very stressful experience. I've seen marines, good shots and fighters, that when they tried commanding for the first time, literaly cracked under the stress and left the chair.
To hotkey buildings and groups of marines, use your duck key and press a number, and you can call it back up with that number.
There are a lot of random RTS elements to commanding, so if you have never played an RTS, comming is hard to understand. Most of your time should be spent taking care of your units, the marines. Medpack them and give them ammo. Tell them to use the popup menu requests as much as possible, and when you hear the command chair girl say anything, press jump. Without live marines, you can't get anything done. So keep them in mind first. Second thing to keep in mind is priority. Number one priority is always to keep the aliens from spawning. Try not to think defensive, always get marines to push the hive, and keep them alive with meds and ammo and armor upgrades. When you have enough res, start giving them bigger guns so they have a chance in the midgame. The rest of the time, keep an eye on your cash flow and get upgrades and more technology. Learn the tech tree. You need an armory for an obs and arms lab, you need an arms lab and upgraded armory for a prototype lab, you need an obs for motion tracking and phase gates, and you need a command chair for infantry portals. Try not to think about turret factories unless you need the heavy siege guns. Turret factories have special uses, but if you can spare a marine, a marine is always better defense. Try to be efficient with your time. You can only look at one spot on the map at a time, so don't look off somewhere empty, and don't stare at any one spot for too long. Your marines can take care of themselves most of the time. Drop them a resource tower if it looks clear, and then go look somewhere else. Resources are important, and you can't forget that you always need them in any phase of the game. Even if you have lots of high tech stuff, without resource towers (and lots of them), you won't have cash to drop toys. So always keep 15 resources to spare above your usual budget to capture resource towers. Keep a tight budget too however, never should you have more than 50 resources when you have an idle arms lab or un-upgraded armory. If you're not saving for anything, hand out shotguns if you have weapons1, and welders if you have armor2.
There's lots of faqs, I'm wasting my breath.
I dont command much anymore mainly because I like being the one taking orders and killing aliens but..
First, Have a plan and command on a map you really know well (Eclipse was the one I used). Most on their first time try to copy other commanders, as I did. Know which part of the map you want the marines to go to and give them a waypoint or tell them via voice chat. Plan which hive to take what nodes to go after first etc. (Since the hive starts are random its good to have 2 plans.)
In other words dont just jump in the comm chair without thinking.
Second, Make sure you start an upgrade within 1 minute. Armor 1 is usually the safest for a newbie comm.
Third, make sure you drop medkits and ammo to your team. Unless your a regular on the server and known as a comm, a marine team might kick you out for neglecting this.
fourth, try to act as fast as possible when needed. If your new your gona be slow just the way things are until your use to it but try to make the extra effort to speed things because you will have to think on your feet.
Fifth, if you are going to comm make sure you state that you are new.
Anyway thats the way I did it and just fixed my mistakes from there. <!--emo&::tsa::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tsa.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tsa.gif' /><!--endemo-->
That still works. >_>
To be a good commander you need to increase your APM. With a high APM you will drop structures like nothing. Med/ammo spam so a lone 0/0 LMG'er can take out the skulk.
Basically just play lots of Warcraft.
How did I learn to comm? I just hopped in one day and figured out my own build orders from practice.
Don't listen to your marines when they say "Drop welder!" and crap like that unless they're from some elite clan. >_>. You're the commander. It's your game to mold, not theirs. Like a webcomic artist. Use your own work, don't listen to others tell you how the comic should of ended.
Just med spam a lot. You'll do fine. Play in big games and do crazy strats. If your marines are owning with LMG's. Drop shotties and go own the aliens.
Don't ever make a turret factory. When comms drop turret factories I just go kharaa.
A lot of people hate double hive lockdowns. If they go sensory first get armor 1 as soon as possible and lock down two hives. Sensory first = Lock down for the win.
if your rines are owning with LMG, do NOT bother to pass out shotguns or HMGs. (Do upgrade it though)
I mean, why pass out stuff using good res when its not needed?
if your rines are owning with LMG, do NOT bother to pass out shotguns or HMGs. (Do upgrade it though)
I mean, why pass out stuff using good res when its not needed? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
If they are owning with LMG's. You should pass out shotties, walk to the hive, and win.
LMG is a spray weapon. you can mis half the clip and get them. Furthermore its longrange.
Shotty is SHORTrange and has no spray, so you got to HIT.
i have seen so many situations on so many servers where the entire team owned with LMG, got shotties, missed and died.
LMG is a spray weapon. you can mis half the clip and get them. Furthermore its longrange.
Shotty is SHORTrange and has no spray, so you got to HIT.
i have seen so many situations on so many servers where the entire team owned with LMG, got shotties, missed and died. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
The average pub does better with a shotty. You can spray the shotty fire at the skulks and win. Skulks have to ambush shotgunners. Where the average pub will allow a medium range skulk to get a bite in before it dies.
Shotgun allows marines insta-gib ability. Also once they're all dead, just shotgun the hive for a quick win.
This guy plus most other people won't know what APM is...its Actions Per Minute...the faster you click the better you will be. Compared to Warcraft/starcraft commanding in NS is actually quite slow, but basically you should always be busy..
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->How did I learn to comm? I just hopped in one day and figured out my own build orders from practice.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
When the game first came out that was easy, for some people who've never played RTS's its actually quite hard especially starting nowadays.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Don't listen to your marines when they say "Drop welder!" and crap like that unless they're from some elite clan. >_>. You're the commander. It's your game to mold, not theirs. Like a webcomic artist. Use your own work, don't listen to others tell you how the comic should of ended.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Some guys will whine for stuff and some guys will need stuff that will save the game, it takes alot of experience to separate the two. After you've learnt basic strategy and won a few games you'll start getting experienced at mentally dividing your marines into retards and teamplayers...
The retards are always way out of position, on their own, whinging, dying, etc
The teamplayers build fast and follow your waypoints, when these guys ask for mines or welders, you give it to them, and soon you'll be dropping welders before they even ask.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Just med spam a lot. You'll do fine. Play in big games and do crazy strats. If your marines are owning with LMG's. Drop shotties and go own the aliens.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Just setup the keys in options to respond to ammo or medpack requests, when you hear 'I need ammo over here' then hit the button and drop an ammo pack, this keeps marines happy and they will feel you are watching over them, as you get better you'll get faster at it. Pick a basic strategy, like a 2 hive lock and learn it, once you feel comfortable with it then you can vary your play.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Don't ever make a turret factory. When comms drop turret factories I just go kharaa.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Don't listen to people like this, they'll badger you in game constantly for upgrades and placement of stuff, etc. There's all these pro players who play with their pro clans with their pro tactics, but you'll be on a public server with rambo's, teamplayers, retards, noobs, idiots, etc so advanced tactics rarely work, you will need turrets but only at important places like a hive location. Dropping a turret factory in base is pretty much a nono these days, drop mines to good players or make a base monkey stay there and guard base if the skulks are really pushing in.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->A lot of people hate double hive lockdowns. If they go sensory first get armor 1 as soon as possible and lock down two hives. Sensory first = Lock down for the win.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
There's a few commander manuals on the stickies section of this page, just read through them. You don't have to learn all the hotkeys at once, just know a few important ones. The more experience you can get the better you will get, you'll get the feel for the cost of everything, how fast res is coming in, what the aliens will probably do next, where they'll be and when they will go fade...
Commanding is not just strategy, tactics, placement, etc...its dealing with the players, little english **** that know everything, lazy french guys who don't understand what you say, and more little english cs kids who know everything, just be calm and cool and tell them you aren't such a hot commander but you are learning and you'll be surprised there are actually nice people on the internet who will stand up for you and give sound advice...
if your rines are owning with LMG, do NOT bother to pass out shotguns or HMGs. (Do upgrade it though)
I mean, why pass out stuff using good res when its not needed? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
In my case... they are owning simply because i tech rush guns/ammo out the wazoo....
Why let ur marines have only skill...when you can give them TECHNOLOGY :-P
I am ze ubercomm..... (lol)
~Jason
But I do have one question that only a noob would ask, what is a lockdown?
Lockdown is where you (I think) place down a tf with turrets and maybe a phasegate at a hive to guard it.
Most of the time, marines would just chuck the rt down ahd move on to save res.
Lockdown is where you (I think) place down a tf with turrets and maybe a phasegate at a hive to guard it.
Most of the time, marines would just chuck the rt down ahd move on to save res. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
An idiotic lockdown consits of a single tf and a pg in a hive, as well as tons of turrets.
A standard way to guard the hive is an rt+elec with a pg near the rt.
If you feel that a certain hive needs turrets then dont place them in the hive, but place them at chokepoints that lead to the hive instead. This way you have time to react when an onos attacks your lockdown, since most oni tend to clear your chokepoint first before they go for the hive pg.
Dont try to heavily guard a few spots in corners on a map. Instead you should try to guard locations that lead to several important areas. (as a wc3 gamer you are shurely familiar with this)
Just another point: Talk to your rines, always take to them, if you are busy preparing a siege continue to talk to them. Inform them. Give strict orders. Even though the game seems won dont alow your team to rambo off, as long as you dont control all 3 hives and hear the PoD.
Just a small example: When i am sieging a hive and have heavies in my team i will order the heavies to stay back near the entrance of the hive, guarding the siege cannons as well as protecting their LA mates that are allowed to enter the hive.
Why do i do this? Quite easy: Skulks fear attacking the 3 heavies packed together at the hive entrance. As long as the heavies stay together they can be welded easily. 3 heavies with HMG usually means that there is always 1 with a loaded gun. Loosing a single rine costs you 1-3 res. Loosing a heavies is 15 res.
Always try to think like your enemy. What situations do aliens prefer? A wall of heavies at their hive entrance or several lone heavies running through the hiveroom like maniacs.
This leads us to a basic point: Though you might have skilled rines in your team there might be a lack of teamwork. If you should notice this give clear orders in big fights: Rine1 you guard the back of your group, rine2+3 you take position in the corners, rine 4 you are the only one to build.
Giving clear orders will improve the trust that your rines have in you greately, as long as the orders are also short.
If nothing helps; we all know the situations when aliens have 2 fades and we try to organize a oush to their main hive, but it failed cause everyone with a heavy weapons ran off in different directions just to die to ambushing skulks; then tell your rines what they did wrong, usually a simple this is not co you cannot solo a fade should be enough.
When a rines ask for an rt, but you have only 3 res and need to wait for your the other 12, just tell him that there is a nice little scoreboard, showing that you only have 3 res and that a res tower costs 15. Tell him also that you want him to wait/go on.
If your rine succeed, although they did not obbey your orders you might wank to spank them. (thats unless your orders where plain stupid)
So in general its just: Use common sense.
rcbots can play as both marines and aliens and they build stuff
or small servers with human marines and bot aliens
later you'll find out how much a good commander is worthless with a bunch of ramboing idiots or just plane newbies.
This entire thread and nobody mentioned the mini map. Down in the lower left of the com hud, there is a mini map that shows EVERYTHING. This should be where your eyes always start from and return to. I can not stess this enough.
If you have your arms lab and obs on hot keys, then unless MS comes under attack you should almost never have to look there.
Learn your hot keys. The common ones first. Q-A for a RT, E-S for meds ect....
Don't lock down. You should always be working on some offensive. Grab the 3rd hive RT, but then fight for the second hive. Against a good alien team, that second hive is going up at 4 min. Stop that from happening.
When you're playing aliens and the rines get a pg/tf up at your hive. What happens? people start yelling for everyone to save the hive. The skulk chewing the 3rd hive rt is the idiot for not responding to the rine offense. THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Also, destroying alien rt's is way more important than capping or saving your own. In a 6 person game on 2 extra rt's the aliens will have 2 fades at 4:30. Destroy the rt's to delay the fades while you stop the second hive, or be able to drop shotties and hope you have competent rines (or crappy fades.)
Constantly upgrade, drop ammo on the hives at the beginning to find theirs, give your rines stuff before they need it, if you have a pg to a hive you need two ip's, and never ever build a regular turret.