How to be a PR Squad Member. A guide.

[goguapsy]

NOTE: I am writing this in PR General Discussions because, since this is the most popular section of the forums, I believe this will be the place to get the most reads - I don't care about numbers, I am just trying to help the biggest number of people to enjoy this game and make the game enjoyable to all others.

WELCOME TO PROJECT REALITY!

Project Reality is a modification of Battlefield 2. The aim of this game is to generate a more realistic environment but still maintaining gameplay balance. This is achieved by weapons and gameplay tweaks and general other tweaks. Project Reality is mostly based of good teamplayers that migrated from vbf2 (Vanilla, the un-modded version of BF2).

First, please, DO read the manual.

Project Reality Manual


This guide's aim is to teach you the things that are NOT in that manual, such as how to be a teamplayer. Know how to do what your Squad Leader tells you to. This teaches you BASIC things.


What are you? You will most likely start as a squad member (I suggest infantryman). Your job is to follow your squad leader's orders as effectively as you can. You must always try to self-improve. For infantry kits (from medics to Heavy Anti-Tank guns), you can just ask help from your squad members or leader. To fly vehicles (aka assets), please do seak a Single-Player server. Specially concerning choppers and planes. THIS GUIDE WILL FOCUS ON TEACHING THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T DO ON TRAINING SERVERS!

The Squad Leader: Squad Leading in Project Reality requires skills. NORMALLY your squad leader will have a good knowledge of game kits and mechanics. This by NO MEANS means he knows everything. Much the otherwise, he is learning just like you. Follow him. If you don't like him, leave the squad and join another one.

NOTE:This guide is supposed to "simplify" what I believe is important for everyone to know. You can skip the formations section, I put it there just in case a Squad Leader asked a formation and you could be a helping hand, knowing what's your spot and maybe even help the other Squad Members!



YOUR DUTIES AS A PROJECT REALITY PLAYER:
-Know how the deviation works (hold still for some seconds to fire! If you move, you must wait after it if you want to be accurate!)
-Know how to drive.
-Know what is a grenade trap.
-Know what is a mine.
-Know that you can't drive over mines or walk over grenade traps.
Don't know one of these things? ASK! Trust me!
Remember: PR players LOVE to help new guys. Just remember, follow your SLs orders and he will gladly help you out.




Now for the real guide:
To be an effective infantryman you need to know:
1. Formations -- This doesn't actually work in PR.
2. Forms of fire
3. Rules of Engagement
4. Firefight Techniques
5. Individual Roles
6. VOIP (and Mumble)


1.Formations: Read the NOTE.

(NOTE: Most SLs do NOT use formation. Therefore, as a general rule, do not bunch up, as a RPG can kill you all (that DOES happen) and an AR or grenade can get you all with one burst. Remind your Squad Members to do that too! As a general rule, though, stay within nametag distance from at least 1 squad mate, and do not strafe apart more than a grid (ex. from A1 to B1 or A2) from your squad unless told otherwise/sent in flanking maneuver.)

1.1 The Column Formation: Standard movement formation. Single file. Harder to spot in forests (sometimes), but rather predictable and easy to ambush.

DIRECTION<----1----2----3----4----5----6----

1.2 The LINE formation: Attack/Basic ambush formation/Line of Fire. Shoulder to Shoulder. Good for quick engagements up front, allows several points of view while decreasing the chances of 1 enemy killing lots of your guys.

------------------------------------------------1
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----------------------------DIRECTION<----3----
------------------------------------------------4
------------------------------------------------5
------------------------------------------------6

1.3 The Staggered Column formation: Bigger coverage area for movement. In streets, means each 3 people will be on a side of the road. Good for mutual protection. In a city, one side can cover the opposite rooftop, for example.


----------------- DIRECTION<---1--------3--------5
------------------------------------------2--------4---------6


These are the basic formations. Note that formations 1.4 and 1.5 (arrow and vee formations) are almost never used in PR. It is hard to mantain such a formation in a game other than with ARMA 2's AI, which are still not a proof of perfection .

1.4 The Arrow Formation: Good flank coverage. Prevents ambushing from close quarters.

-----------------------------------------------------1
-----------------------------------------------2
-----------------------------------------3
---------------<------------DIRECTION-----4
-----------------------------------------------------5
-----------------------------------------------------------6

1.5 The Vee Formation: The same as Arrow but the opposite. Could deceive the enemy from the direction you are going. May also look you are disorganized, which isn't a bad thing if you are, indeed, organized.

-----------------------------------------------------1
-----------------------------------------------2
-----------------------------------------3--------------DIRECTION-->
-----------------------------------------------4
-----------------------------------------------------5
-----------------------------------------------------------6


2.Forms of Fire: Basically there are 3 types of fire:

2.1 - Effective Fire
2.2 - Defensive Fire
2.3 - Offensive Fire


2.1 - Effective fire: Normally used if your squad was not detected. For this fire form, you must wait for full deviation-settle and shoot to hit. Little use of ammunition. Normally this will make the least amount of noise, if your squad leader does not request knifing. Also known as Point/Smart Fire.

2.2 - Defensive fire: If your squad is receiving effective fire from the enemy, feel free to get to cover (unless told otherwise) and return fire. Return A LOT of fire to keep the enemies head down and then allow for effective fire or flanking maneuver. Also known as Suppressive Fire.

2.3 - Offensive fire: Consists of using the highest amount of firepower available. This include grenadier grenades, hand-held grenades and AT rounds. Smoke may also be used. Normally consists of the squads Machine Gunner and Grenadier/AT soldier to suppress (Defensive Fire) the enemy while the 4 other squad members move in (which will move, suppress, move, suppress.... sometimes combined with leapfrog tactics).

2.4 - Check 4.3 (Ambush)

3. Rules of Engagement (ROE): Consists of engagement rule for insurgency games and other ocasions.

3.1 - Civilians (and Unarmed Kits). Civilians are available in Project Reality Insurgency Games against Iraqi Insurgents or Taliban. They normally don't carry anything at their hands. They may not be engaged, UNLESS...
-He used his epipen or ressucitate hands to treat someone (NOTE: IF HE DIDN'T USE IT, YOU CANNOT SHOOT HIM! IF HE IS JUST CARING IT, HE IS NOT ATTACK-ABLE).
-He has driven a car or used a stationary gun.
-He used an armed insurgent kit recently.
-You MAY ENGAGE HIM whenever you want with a SHOTGUN!)
ALL of these conditions expire 60 seconds after the occurrence.
(Note: HE IS NOT ENGAGEABLE WHEN USING HIS MEDIC BAG!

3.2 - Return fire only. Do not engage enemy personnel UNLESS FIRED UPON. If you are fired upon answer with defensive fire. Otherwise, do not.

3.3 - Weapons free. Upon enemy movement/contact, call out the bearing and engage. GO FOR COVER first.

3.4 - Weapons ready. Upon enemy movement/contact, call out the bearing, go for cover and ask Squad Leader permission to engage. If the enemy has seen you (or is even aiming at you) engage with effective fire. If there is a large number of enemies, suppress (use defensive fire) and ask squad leader for fire form (offensive or keep defensive).



4. Firefight Techniques:

4.1 - Retreat: Run back, suppress, run back, suppress. Only run back if someone is suppressing for you. Use the leapfrog tactic. Smokes may be deployed.

4.2 - The Leapfrog tactic: consists of a turn based movement: while someone suppresses, you move. After you reach for cover, suppress while the others move. And so forth. May be used on normal movement when firearms are not in use.

4.3 - Ambush: Normally consists of hiding behind some concealment and waiting for enemy visual to be estabilished. Hold your fire until squad leader commands firing. The ambush normally starts with some loud weapon firing, such as SAW or Anti-Tank rocket or specially, if up against infantry, a well-placed claymore. Perhaps a trip-flare. The objective is to eliminate the enemy before they reach for cover. Depending on the distance all available weaponary should be used.
OBSERVATION: DO NOT USE SMOKE IF THE AMBUSH CONSISTS OF VEHICLES (more vehicles than one AT round can handle). If you only have infantry, ask for squad leader's permission to throw smoke. That's useful if the squad needs to relocate or there are a LOT of people being ambushed. If smoked is deployed, it is normally followed by position change (while the enemies are disoriented, move to higher ground or flank. Or go for bayonetes. Ask squad leader).

4.4 - CQC/B - Close Quarter Combat/Battle: Normally existant on urban areas, use your weapon of burst-mode or full-auto mode. Iron sights or Aimpoints should take point. Engage any enemies you encounter. When clearing buildings, a grenade should be tossed before going in. BE CAREFUL WITH CIVILIANS. Never spring into buildings or corners. Stay close to your buddy or buddies. Watch all directions. Don't hesitate when firing, but fire at the enemy.

4.5 - Check your map: All the time. Keep record of friendly positions and movement. Check the map to prevent friendly fire.

4.6 - Flanking: One of the most common firefight maneuvers, consists of a fireteam (or some selected squad members) to move around under concealment in a position from which you can engage the enemies from the side while someone else suppresses them. Whatchout, you might run into an opposite flanking party too! So be ready to engage, but DON'T be trigger happy.)


5. Individual Roles: A more specific section of the guide for standart and limited infantryman kits.

This section's objective is to teach the basic roles of each kit. This does NOT teach HOW to use your equipments, but rather WHEN to use them. (NOTE: As a general rule, stick with the kit you are assigned to for the full duration of the round. If you wish to change kits, talk to your SL which will be glad to help you out. He just wants to see you enjoying the game. Remember that.)

RIFLEMAN: The backbone of the army and your squad. Normally takes point. Aimpoints and Iron sights are prefered for CQC, while scopes and ACOGs are prefered for long range engagements. Is used for Effective, Defensive and Offensive fiire modes. Don't use your ammo bag anywhere. Ask your squad leader before using this precious equipment. Use your grenade to flush enemies out of buildings and to scare enemies that are too close. YOU ARE IMPORTANT STICK WITH YOUR SQUAD!

RIFLEMAN SPECIALIST: Is issued a grapling hook to overcome obstacles such as walls and rocks and a Breaching Slug shotgun (or normal shotgun) to breach doors and gates. Remember both are loud when using, so only use under your squad leader's permission. The shotgun may also be used to arrest insurgents and civilians (≠ from killing). YOU ARE IMPORTANT STICK WITH YOUR SQUAD!

MEDIC: One of the most important kits in the squad. Your job is normally protect your squad and heal your squad mates. Do NOT wander off alone. Depending on your squad leader you can be on a defensive or offensive roles. However you don't take point. Ever. Don't be upset: you are the bloody hero. You can ask your squad leader to change roles if you want. YOU ARE IMPORTANT STICK WITH YOUR SQUAD!

SAW GUNNER (AR): You have one of the most lethal direct-attack guns in the game. You are able to deliver a volumous amount of lead for suppresive or lethal roles. You frequently start ambushes. Your gun makes a lot of noise. You are several times a tide-turner. YOU ARE IMPORTANT STICK WITH YOUR SQUAD!

I believe most people would say that the AR should be ready to engage all the time, and deploy your gun where you would set your bipod on. Ex. Please, do not deploy when standing in the middle of the street because the recoil is lower and that's an exploit. Go prone and then deploy.

Remember that, when deploying your gun, you'll have full deviation so you must wait for some 6 seconds to fire accurately. Always go behind cover (so you can stand to shoot and crouch for cover) and only deploy when defending or if you'll remain stationary for a while.

GRENADIER: Effective against infantry targets at long ranges. Your grenade is useful for long-range shots (up to 300 meters) and shines if you are under some kind of cover: you can bomb your enemy without them being able to hit you back. You have a great deal of lethal and suppressive fire. Feel free to use your grenades under defensive or offensive fire. Your smoke is also great to cover your squad's advance in offensive mode or smoke your squad's way out of there. When retreating, try to launch smoke on your enemy's position, so he can't engage you without being subject to suppressive or effective fire! YOU ARE IMPORTANT STICK WITH YOUR SQUAD!

RIFLEMAN AT: You have a great weapon to take out enemy vehicles and light armors. Use that rocket wisely. However, remember: if you are attacking the enemy in offensive mode (which fire supperiority wins) don't be scared of using your LAT round on the enemy position! Some bunkers are destroyable, so blow your enemies to tid-bits! IF IN DOUBT ask your SL before using your rocket. You can always resupply your rocket from supply crates or ammo bags from riflemen. YOU ARE IMPORTANT STICK WITH YOUR SQUAD!

MARKSMAN: You are able to take out enemies in a one shot-one kill manner at medium to long ranges. Do NOT use your weapon for suppressive fire. Ever. You must always use your gun in an effective manner, otherwise you are useless. YOU ARE IMPORTANT STICK WITH YOUR SQUAD!

RIFLEMAN AP: Your most powerful weapons are your rifle and your claymores. You are issued an M16/M4/G3/AK-101... depending on the faction, and that is still your main weapon. However, you are a great choke-point killer and ambusher, and you may start ambushes against infantry. Your claymores are strong and loud, and quite scary if followed by AR Gunner fire. AP stand for Anti-Personnel (rifleman), keep that in mind. A claymore isn't a "deployable rocket launcher", but you can think of it as a remote-controlled grenade. YOU ARE IMPORTANT STICK WITH YOUR SQUAD! (And remember where you put those claymores and where you point them to, worst thing you can do is pointing it to the wrong direction...). Remember, claymores are directional!


NOTE: YOU CAN pass over a grenade trap (or trip flare) when you are PRONE!


6. VOIP: What you say really makes a difference.

6.1 Radio Discipline - VOIP (Voice Over IP) is a feature which allows you to speak to the other members of your squad. This means you can call out contacts, ask questions, answer them, and sometimes sing. I mean, normal conversations. When you are on a long road-trip, fell free to talk about things, most SLs are okay with that. But when someone says "CONTACT!" or "MINE!" stop talking. Or when someone asks you to stop, stop too. Also, do NOT speak on VOIP when you are trying to remain silent or listen to the enemy footsteps. It bothers.

6.2 Calling-out Contacts - As a general rule, when you call out contacts, do the following:

6.2.1 "Enemy Spotted!" -> The enemy has NOT seen you, or is NOT shooting at you. DON'T SHOOT BACK UNLESS YOUR SL TELLS YOU TO! Remember, settle your deviation and THEN fire.

6.2.2 "CONTACT!" -> Normally followed by hitting the dirt or running for cover: It's when the enemy is shooting at you.

When you call-out enemies, make sure you state the heading (look at the compass on the bottom of the HUD), relative distance (close, far, very far, extremely far), and if he has seen you or not.

Example: "Enemy Spotted! 285, very far! He hasn't seen us". Or "CONTACT! Enemy (SAW gunner, Riflemen, etc.) TO THE NORTH, around 15! Far!"


Mumble: Now integrated with PR 0.9, make sure you download it, start it, join a server and connect to the respective team (compare the SLs on your team with the SLs on the Mumble Server at the Squad Leader Channel). Mumble allows you to talk to nearby friendly ("blue guys") or enemy units and inter-squad Communication (which is only used by the Squad-Leader, also known as "Force-Centering").

Mumble Information: Mumble Program


Well, again, welcome to Project Reality! This is a very long read, I agree, and I am not forcing you to read this. However I am sure you will learn from this.

Thank you, and good luck!

"*Worth Reading*"

Originally Posted by Nick_Gunar

Smuke's "Marine" Infantry tactics guide

jbgeezer's guide of basic squad movement

Heavy good squad leading guide :

Uniform26's Comprehensive Squad Leader's guide - SOP: Squad Configurations and Tactics (worth reading, covers various types of squads, including mechanized and air assault squads).


Again, It seems a bit redundant because mostly everything has been said in theory. Also, I prefer to read the comments (agree/disagree) to see the practical side of this theory (it is good, i'll do this way - it is bad, i'll do that way...).

Originally Posted by Nick_Gunar

General threads tips :

sfscriv's Transitional Guide: From vBF2 (Vanilla, un-modded version) to PR

Ace42's "Beginner's Guide" to Winning

[R-DEV]Masaq's Infantry Tips

gazzthompson's Basic Guide to Cover (Easy, Simple and Fundamental!)

Cassiu's Infantry Guide

SSG Jay's Basic Tactics of an Infantryman

USA-Forever932's "Victory Squads" layout While this is most useful for a Squad Leader setting up his Squad Member's kits, it is still quite a good read if your SL doesn't assign you any kit - but ask him before requesting any kit! I cannot stress this enough.

pwn3ge106's Basic Formations Guide (Note observation on topic 1.Formations).

That's only for basic infantry tactics lol (no specific kit). It is heavy litterature, I know but when I started PR, I read all these tutorials and It helped me a lot.

Countless pages for tips in "Project Reality Forums > Project Reality Mod Forums > PR Tales from the Front > PR In-Game Tactics and Strategies", but you have to dig them up

Project Reality Tactics & Strategies Forums Section



Feel free to contact me via Private Messaging or:
XFire: goguapsy
EMail: goguapsy@gmail.com

Good luck!
GoGuapsy.


(Constructive Feedback welcome! Please comment (and rate the guide for me to get an idea on the quality of this) and I will evaluate and include your feedback into the guide. This is just a basic writing of it, perhaps it can become an integral part of the manual in the future!)

COMING SOON: How to be a PR Squad Leader. A guide.

[acemantura]

Ummm, Cheers.

To whomever reads this guide: dont hesistate to remember and regurgitate this information in-game.

[goguapsy]

Originally Posted by acemantura

Ummm, Cheers.

To whomever reads this guide: dont hesistate to remember and regurgitate this information in-game.

Thanks I guess...

[503]

Originally Posted by goguapsy

follow your SLs orders

That's all you need



What a lengthy post for a squad member guide. A lot of this stuff is what a SL should know. Such as formations. But I guess it would make it more effective for squad members to know this too.

[galeknight1]

Great guide, if everyone that plays PR actually read this it would make a SL's life a whole lot easier

EDIT: You should have something in there about when not using a formation, just remember to keep as close to the squad as possible without being too close. (e.g able to be taken out by 1 AR or grenade).

[[R-CON]Wicca]

This is very close to what they do in real life, and also what we have in the tournament.


Well done! Maybe you could spice up ur text with some explanatory pictures?

Otherwise wonderfull guide!

[maarit]

a quite good things in here.
i hope that they will add more supresseffect to the game,cos its not that effective as it should be.(cos there no fear of dying)
when you are fallbackin and some gives supress fire,its just telling enemy automatic rifleman approximate position of your squad.enemy has easy job just start to fire on back your direction and maybe get some lucky kills.
i think that supress fire should count also that fear in the effect.
so more blurry,maybe some black screens(closing eyes).

but good guide.

[Nick_Gunar]

That's heavy !

This guide coupling with the others in the PR In-Game Tactics and Strategies are all you need.

[goguapsy]

Originally Posted by Wicca

This is very close to what they do in real life, and also what we have in the tournament.


Well done! Maybe you could spice up ur text with some explanatory pictures?

Otherwise wonderfull guide!

Will do, I just had a hard time getting BR files, now that I know how to get them I will make some more formations with my squad just to show that.


Observation added to 4.3 - Ambush.


@503 - If I make a SL guide it will focus more on advantages/disadvantages of each kit, formation, that stuff. In this guide I tried to focus more "This is HOW you do it" while my SL guide will focus more on "This is WHY you do it". Of course, if some squad members want to lead the Squad Leader guide, might have more information to use for/against your squad leader!

@galeknight1 - added

@maarit - same here!

@Nick_Gunar - perhaps you can fill me up with some links to good guides/strategies (for squad members and squad leaders) and I'll add to the guide as "must read" threads or something like that.

[TheWhaleHunter]

Good guide. Hopefully thus will help some people to start playing better in squads.