Masqi's (Quick) Guide to .7 Rallypoints

[[R-DEV]Masaq]

In short:

The key to success is in keeping as many of the squad together as possible. To do this, you need to keep the RP alive. For as long as the RP is alive, dead squad members must spawn on it, and remain defending the RP until *at least* four or five (preferably all) of the squad are able to move out in force again.

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Okay, so you've downloaded 0.7. You've had multiple orgasms over the new eye candy (ooooooh, those trees on Fool's Road! *bliss*). You've stroked your shiny new M16 until it accidentally discharged on you. You've kissed the sky in the Typhoon and you've generally used up all the euphemisms you can.

Only now you're in an infantry squad, and you're trying to spawn, and dear lord but that little green marker isn't anywhere to be found! It's enough to make even the 120mm gun on the Abrams fire blanks.

(Okay, so NOW I've used up all the euphemisms I can. No more, promise.)

So, in 0.7 how do you go about using your infantry squad *effectively*, given that you can no longer jump into existance five meters away from your boss?

First off, some ground rules around RP placement:

1. It is the squad leader (SL)'s responsibility to ALWAYS have a Rally Point (RP) up.
2. It is the squad's responsibility to ALWAYS assist the SL in placing an RP.
3. If the RP is taken down, one of two things should happen. Either the entire squad should relocate to a new location to place an RP if the squad are a) together and b) not doing something vital. If the squad are scattered, taking a flag or under heavy fire - JUST the SL and two squad members (SM) should disengage and place a new, temporary RP.

Now, that clear? Your squad must ALWAYS either *HAVE* an RP or be *ABOUT* to have an RP. When you're moving between objectives, place them as you go, so your RP follows you around the map.

Given that you have a RP up, how to use it properly? Well, the hint's in the name - rallypoint. Use it to rally from!

A quick overview of a RP life cycle:

1. Squad move out together from the main base, bunker or firebase.
2. As they move towards their objective (in this case, a flag), they place the RP. They keep moving it forwards (in case of accidents - like meeting an enemy tank) so that if they die, they don't loose too much ground. Less important on small maps, vital on Quinling!
3. They place their final RP around 200m from the objective, so it avoids discovery.
4. They then run around 50-100m AWAY from the RP, in a direction that also leads AWAY from the objective. They are then able to approach the objective from a compass baring that will NOT lead the enemy directly to their RP.
5. 100m out, they get eyes-on the target, suss out the enemy presence, form a plan of attack and engage. Half the squad die in the attack. The other half survive, and take the flag.
6. The dead SMs do *NOT* run immediately to their squadmates. They REMAIN WITH THE RP
7. When the objective is taken, the squad regroup and either defend the new objective or move on together.

Now, point 6 may confuse some of you here, but trust me. The respawning SMs must stay at the RP for two reasons.

First, it means that they can spread out slightly and defend the RP. As three of them have died it clearly means the enemy have units in the area - which puts the RP at risk. By staying on the RP, they can ensure that the spawn point is available for the other SMs to spawn on.

Secondly, it means that should the rest of the squad also get taken out, the entire squad will be together and able to move in for a second attack on the objective in force. A steady trickle of one-man bands moving into a hostile objective are going to get repeatedly taken out. 6 guys all moving in together stand a much better chance of success - which is why we have squads in the first place!


Now, in pretty picture format for the younger player that cannot read, or the older one that's forgotten how to and the middle-aged ones that can't be bothered:

[Gunwitch]

Interesting idea Masaq.

If you have a good squad i can see it working and i've tried to do it on a couple of occasions, espcially when you know the enemy are close by and might find your RP.

I shall be enforcing this tactic in the future.

[[R-DEV]Masaq]

My very first round in 0.7 was on Danang Oilfields, I spent nearly the entire round defending the West CP.

Time after time after time, two enemy squads kept rolling in on us, every time each of the squads would roll in full-force, all six guys there. They kept pushing us out, we'd have to come back in, pick 'em off at range and start over once we'd cleaned up. Five minutes later they'll roll in again - every time we got near their RP, they'd take us down and relocate. It was epic, and showed me exactly how much benefit there is to be had in all six of your guys moving in at once, every time.

[Gunwitch]

Now all we need are the numptys to up and leave the good decent players left to get on with playing as a team

[[R-DEV]Masaq]

When I tried this on your server yesterday with a Hesky, two clan guys and two random pubs, it actually worked pretty well. One of the pubs was a bit keen to wander off towards the target I'd called the JDAM in on, but it worked very very well.

Especially when combined with a Nanjing - we'd drive to the rally area, drop the RP, go attack, die, then have the truck near to our spawn point to relocate to another CP if need be,

[[R-COM]epoch]

Excellent advice Masaq - I look forward to trying this out in practice.

Oh, and thanks for the picture. But you know I prefer pie charts .....

[Gunwitch]

Originally Posted by epoch

Thanks for the picture. But you know I prefer pie charts .....

There's always one who can't read simple line drawings

[[R-DEV]Masaq]

Originally Posted by epoch

Excellent advice Masaq - I look forward to trying this out in practice.

Oh, and thanks for the picture. But you know I prefer pie charts .....

Try imagining the left-hand cycle as a big slice of pie?

Apologies chap, will be sure to make the next diagram more pacman-esque!

[[R-DEV]GrayeKnight]

That picture makes my brain hurt




Nah. Good post. If people actually listened and read what you wrote, this would be a great thing in pubs.



n00bzor brainwashing in teh .8?

[bigmoose332]

good guide man, i in particular like the diagram at the end.

Always good to throw humour in stuff related to war too

Bigmoose