The Basics - Squad Leader In-Depth Guide pt. 1 (B19)

[@JarretGibson]

Note that it is now questionable to drop a single player for back-cap since it goes significantly slower now than if several guys do it.

[@finj3636]

much better for an inf squad with no logi to do, or with no heli. Stacking a full squad on back-cap is near-essential.

[@chrisaviationandgaming]

This should be official guide

[@F1stBr34k3r]

*After rerecording with a pop filter on release Good tut though.

[@MrArteez]

​@Novitrix Yeah I'm sure more elitism and gatekeeping will raise the average skill level of community and make Squad a better game. The only people that will go out searching for this are the ones that probably don't really need it anymore. However the average everyday squad leader is not so invested into the game to search for guides on youtube, he's a person who would benefit most from this guide, and you don't even want him to see it lol. That's exactly the mindset that will keep this game's public playerbase looking like free weekend forever.

[@GarrisonFall]

@@MrArteez I think Novitrix may mean that the Squad Leader role should not be handed out without some experience or training. At the moment, the only qualification one needs to be Squad Leader is to start your own squad. In my small experience with Squad, it seems that many of the players - as squad members - are not interested in following the plan or commands of a squad leader, even when the Squad Leader appears to know what they are doing. I was on a squad when, after asking for quiet on the squad channel many times "just so I can hear myself think" left the squad to its own devices. It didn't help that he was abused when asking for quiet or cooperation. If I were able I would have 'kicked' those individuals off the squad just so I could get some experience being led by someone who was thinking about what they were doing. I'm beginning to think that squad members do some mandatory training just to enter the game. All the boys and girls can go and play Battlefield, COD or any of the other multitiude of games where they are the only focus of their own adventures in those titles.

[@possiblyadickhead6653]

@@GarrisonFall no it sucks to have a bad squad lead in bf too. You lose so much potential for points.

[@TLChancee]

5 years later and this is still so helpful! I wish they would add yt tutorials to the games main menu

[@lotto5739]

How dare you try to educate the humble blueberry!

[@MPdude237]

Though I have under 100 hours in the game, I am aware of the SL shortage and I have taken the role of SL when nobody will take up the mantle. Although I am aware that I am not a good SL, I think that being a bad SL trying is better than an SL playing as a rifleman. This is quite helpful.

[@abeljanse8945]

This is exactly why I am looking at this guide as well. It seems like there is an extreme shortage of SL's. I believe these guides will help me become an effective SL, even with the low amount of hours I have.

[@TheSnake7]

I like you're "If no ones gonna do it, then I'll do it" attitude, I hope you're still playing squad and hope to see you as squad lead one day in a game

[@MadRobexe]

This is by far one of, if not THE most comprehensive SL guides to Squad i have had the pleasure of watching. Its so well done that even a old Project Reality player like myself was able to find it usefull. This is of great vallue to the Squad community, so good jobb on making it. Looking foreward to the future guides you are making. oh and i really hope you get featured in a future Community News update from Offworld Industries.

[@sazger]

This video is highlighted on the Squad Facebook page.

[@juicynarwal6272]

I’ve got about 130+ hours under my belt since B19, 30 of those most recent hours are just doing SL. Before I started I watched this series, and I continuously go back to this series every now and again. This is so useful, even just a refresher. It makes me appreciate other good SLs, and reminds me that we’re all just a bunch of randos trying to make the game more fun for others. Putting so much effort just so a 2 hour game at max runs smoother for, as you said, 8 other strangers. This game and it’s community is beautiful and unique.

[@leftylugnutz9117]

I cannot overstate, that this is hands down one of the best in-depth video guides I have ever seen for ANY game. Your delivery of concise, relevant information and the way you have constructed it all together is so easily understood. Holy absolute hell, this is beyond helpful Just completely comprehensive and even a year later is the best guide on the internet. THANK YOU!

[@edwardmitchell2613]

I’m a new player just downloaded the game not planning on playing leader but I think this will help me understand my role thanks for the video

[@KomalPatel]

He should make every roles guide

[@JohnnyLawBMC]

I agree. While this was made for squad leaders, it has made me a better player just because I understand so much of the game now. Thank you for this video. I suggest everyone watch it, especially new players.

[@waynegriswold8953]

are you still playing squad?

[@Sc00bDJ]

I know these vids are old but they are still incredibly helpful, i was lucky enough to have a couple of good SL's early in my squad experience who made the game feel fun. When i got stuck in dud squads without leadership, the experience felt very lacking, your SL guides helped me become confident enough to start leading squads so i can try and recreate those great early experiences for others and keep people coming back (hopefully eventually as SL's too). Your match analysis vids are great too. when shit hits the fan, sometimes SL's just need to think of the bigger picture to turn the tide. Thanks for putting the work in and helping others like myself.

[@manatag7]

you were one of my first sl in game - recognized mike check voice :) knew we were in good hands, and that sl is still my "reference to the best sl related game" :) thank you!

[@senobudd7404]

Criminally underrated guide Great work

[@TheRealTimnation]

I'm taking a look at this video after non one in my entire 9 person squad wanted to be squad leader.. So I got stuck with the role in only my 5th game played. This made me realize that this game lives and dies on whether or not there is a good squad leader that knows what they are doing.

[@POP7QWIZ]

what in timnation Dude same

[@LinkandGavin]

After having numerous matches where I’ve been forced into squad leader, thank you so much for this. I’d rather actively be a squad lead now instead of 9 mans who separate into different squads

[@dumfukderekk479]

New SL here, really appreciate the time put into this video, extremely helpful to open up eyes to so many things to the game.

[@bootifulglock9420]

1000+ hours ,guide still useful for me !

[@sealigo3259]

im really curious how much you got now

[@bootifulglock9420]

@@sealigo3259 2353 hours now, your comment just brought me back and i learned a lot again ,thx :)

[@sealigo3259]

@@bootifulglock9420 yess i did something good hahaha jk,i only have 100 so i think i just stay as a normal soldier for now and just try to learn the game

[@wisherr4200]

How many hours now

[@ShaileshWaran]

@@bootifulglock9420 how much now?

[@SwitchUpBroadcast]

500+ hours in Squad and as SL. Great guide, should be compulsory to watch for new Sl's before they can play as SL

[@MachinedFace88ttv]

SL is just another role that needs to be filled

[@zackshannon834]

Awesome guide, thanks. I've found myself as SL 2-3 times because no one wants it, or all the squads are locked. Sometime this week I'm going to try and really give it a shot, appreciate the help.

[@robisSTILEx]

Even after a year, this video is a must for new SL's like me so we can focus on the point's that matter, not learning it by just playing the game! Good work Captain.

[@thelorefnatic1783]

this guy needs to comeback

[@USMCRonin]

I watched your entire guide and just had the best SL round. We still lost but it was mostly to blueberry squads quitting. We stayed on defense and killed 2 radios, 3 helos, 4 LAVSs and stranded 2 logis from the enemy team. My squad had 10 deaths, 60 kills and 15000 points. Thank you for putting in the time and effort for these videos.

[@hyperlitestud]

This guide is so professionally well made man. I appreciate your intelligent thought that you put into this. Ive been learning so much, i'm a veteran of the game, but never really dove far into SL, ive been training some buddies so its been a good time for me to get better.

[@naezro]

@27:00 scout car is on Kamdesh INV layer

[@tylerpage8039]

Fantastic and subscribed. I hope to see you expand into other games and your fan-base will rise and shine.

[@danronen4535]

a min and a half in I get the feeling this is the best guide out there

[@ryz888]

Thanks for this, I just got the game and loving it so far. I'm still too new to be a SL but I want to understand their role as I believe it will help me get a better idea of what's going on in battles

[@vasiliigulevich9202]

Thank you so much! It's a pity that interest to such guides only begins at a thousand hours threshold.

[@naezro]

Needs to be posted everywhere.

[@sazger]

Great guide and congrats on this video being promoted on the official Squad Facebook page. I'm taking a break from Squad right now but my plan is to watch videos like this and when I come back, focus on squad leading.

[@randymarsh9488]

There's a FB page? I'll check it out thanks

[@Croydon91]

Thanks for this mate. Have been looking into SL and can see there is a lot more to learn. This is helpful for a lot of people too, not just SL. Helps squaddies understand what a SL has to do and how to help etc. Amazing job

[@Odracir627]

Amazing video, super comprehensive and SO SO HELPFUL! Thank you for taking the time to make this video and all the others in the playlist. Hope to find you in the battlefield one of these days.

[@secretsecret1134]

comment for algorithm, keep it up your content is very useful to newcomers who actually want to try to play the game with their brains. You're a legend

[@kulak8548]

I'm new to SL, I generally only do it when we need another squad and nobody wants to do it. The points about knowing when to disengage remind me of multiple instances where I now realize I could have been vastly more effective as a squad leader.

[@armandguanlao8931]

Yeah, I had to squad lead after only playing for a few days (a lot of hours because of quarantine). I tried to do what made sense, build FOBs like a supply line so that the logi runner doesn't become a full blown truck driver, break my squad into even smaller fireteams so I can move them around with more cohesion like "bravo's going to hang back and keep overwatch for alpha and charlie's advance". We were actually doing pretty damn well since we found a steady pace to defend our positions and push, but because my squad knew I was a new player, they just kept giving me a hard time. Like when an experienced player assumes everything you do is wrong just because you're new. If the enemy destroyed our ammo crate someone would be like "SL WHY THE HELL ISN'T THERE AN AMMO CRATE?!" (these are more seasoned players), or "THAT'S A HORRIBLE SPOT FOR A HAB" then I take his suggestion and when it got overrun it was my fault. One of them actually had the decency to admit "hey, this guy's actually a pretty good SL" while the other members either stayed dubious and/or never used comms. By the time we built the second fob, and had our team staging to make a push, I disconnected because I just couldn't take the barrage of doubts on Comms, even though I knew for a fact I wasn't doing a terrible job.

[@dylanlambert9241]

This is very professional and comprehensive

[@floodpanel7950]

Tried SL for the first time few days ago. Got my cherry popped pretty rough. Your guide is really going to help me improve, thanks for the good work!

[@unfazer-v2260]

Still relevant 2 years later, most of what you said is what I confront daily, seeing mistakes after mistakes, even faults. It's fine to make one mistake or two, so long as you can make it up for your team and keep in mind the more you make mistakes, the mire you owe your team

[@steveng7007]

I was looking for this comment I keep getting passed sl with less than 50 hours experience so I guess I'll watch this and try it next time..except I'm pretty sure if its already one of those squads they aren't gonna listen anyway

[@unfazer-v2260]

@@steveng7007 A bad SL doesn't necessarily mean the squad is bad. As for listening, it kinda depends... I have 1 400h and yes, on average I will have people who won't win 1vs1 so not very efficient and therefore playing "too safe" ; I also get some people who don't listen at all and end up with a FOB they attacked alone and 25+ confirmed kills. But above all, I get people who will listen, who will do their best, it's just their best is not that higher than the opposing team and this is fine. If I see people listening to my calls, and being smart in their movement, I can tell myself they are good - not the best but good nonetheless - and that when they fall, it's really that either I didn't anticipated something in my startegy, or they got unlucky and moved a few seconds too late or early. So yeah, here's some fuel for reflexion. That being said, what captain says is true, you are to think of the most advantaging strategy in order to pump up your chances of winning engagements and fights while thinking your guys are complete morons who can barely dig a radio down.

[@BrutalOwls]

Thanks for the video! I'm very new to Squad (Less than 10 hrs) and am excited to try and attempt to be a squad leader in the future

[@kfy5968]

I'm 900 hours into the game as SL, listen to this guy please.

[@JonasMrbossman]

I liked and subbed because of this video. Super informative. I dont want to be a squad leader, but for some reason I keep getting promoted to one, so I have dedicated to learning it just incase it happens again

[@KroniklyStoned]

I need to watch this video ten times and take notes. Excellent guide. Wish you were my SL!

[@SunfireGTX25]

Absolutely Amazing guide!! I am a new SL and this helped me a lot!! I was playing in a match where no one wanted to be SL in my squad so I was dumped with the position. I did learn a bit and by the end of the match, I knew enough to be useful. 3 matches later, 3 hours have passed and I'm starving. So I took a break, had supper and now I'm here learning how to be an effective SL thanks to you! :) I have just subbed and will definitely be watching more of your tutorials!!

[@janostkamper167]

At least every squad-player should watch this tutorial. We really need to encourage new players to train themselves and train them to become good SL. There are way to less out there right now.

[@phutureproof]

Free weekender here, gotta say I've had an absolute blast with the other players, I've gone into every game admitting i am new and so far have only had one bad experience with a french guy that kicked me out the squad (to be fair it was a EN vs FR server to my lack of knowledge). I imagine this is still relevant to the game as it is now. Good stuff.

[@MichaelBakowski]

Best guide I’ve found so far. Thank you!

[@BoresightGaming]

Awesome man! Everyone needs to see this!

[@sazger]

Yar

[@majorsly5945]

Excelent video overall . Gg to you man .

[@robo250]

table of contents you are on another level my good sir

[@CRG727]

squads changed so much since this video, you should do another video as an update!

[@RHD_327]

+600 hrs...So good. Thank you!

[@wellswells6349]

New sl in 2023 and I greatly appreciate the work u put in 4 yrs ago bro

[@TheInsaneTeddy]

20:25 Damn, logi techies carry fourteen thousand supplies? I've been using the wrong truck for logi runs

[@xxraging-deathxx6631]

Nicely done Captain...Good Tips.

[@AmokseppGer]

Most important question: When will we get the next part? Great work.

[@ElektroBandit89]

AmokseppGer I’m here from 3 months in the future to tell you.. there isn’t one.

[@ElektroBandit89]

Oh shit he just made part 2 haha

[@schaar431]

Amazing guide. As a fairly new SL I really picked up on a lot of things that I haven't and didn't consider(ed). Thanks a ton!

[@KowOneOhTwo]

Vehicles are also helpful as supply caches.

[@sosa7521]

This guy deserves more subs

[@Leopard20]

This is so comprehensive and useful! Thank you for your time!

[@SaltySicilian]

This actually is extremely helpful to a semi-newish player. Thanks sir

[@mcgillicuddy74]

Frankie Patti it really is

[@Shalloa]

Amazing guide! Not only for the Squad Leader but also for a new player like myself. Its good to have a understand of what it is that SL needs/should do ingame and even better to know for when anyone wants to try it! Thanks!! Now going to watch the second part :)

[@XPlaneAviation]

if youre a new player, definitely don’t squad lead. i suggest at LEAST 200 hours before SLing because its stressful and difficult.

[@Shalloa]

@@XPlaneAviation i agree, do 200 hours might be a bit much, i think it depens on the experience a person has. I have just under 20 hours of gameplay but have 3k+ hours on Arma 3 ;) Yes its different but leading is in general the same thing. That being said, with my less then 20 hours it has happend that in a about 70% of those hours i was leader as the leader either left, had no clue what he / she was doing, did a bad job and was asked to give it to someone else etc.. i bed with 200 hours and more you get the idea ;)

[@XPlaneAviation]

Shalloa i guess so. my 200 hours number came from my experience. Ive got 0 hours in any milsim type games. Yeah definitely if you’ve got arma experience it’s different!

[@mantistoboggan6815]

Thanks for the excellent guide, H Jon Benjamin.

[@kreeperzulu4]

Thank you for taking the time to make that. appreciate it.

[@trescohen8232]

This is a fantastic guide i suscribed and keep the content comin

[@ItssAnAliProduction]

Around 13:00 you mention that once an enemy point is captured, the current flag you're sitting on is irrelevant, and you should disengage and move to the next objective. Would this still apply if the current "irrelevant" capture point has a friendly FOB in it? My immediate instinct is that you should stay in the flag to disallow the enemy to destroy a free FOB - but is this logic flawed? Is it worth it to give the enemy a free FOB destruction and move up to the next objective?

[@BHMCaptain]

It's still absolutely worth leaving, for several reasons. 1) The ticket value of radios (10) is far outweighed by the ticket value of flags (60). 2) When a flag is captured, the next flag in line is often completely undefended. This results in a race to see which team can get a squad on in first. Often times reacting quickly to these flag changes will get your team several flag captures in a row. This is one of the biggest deciding factors in the outcome of most games. There's a reason why it's so common to see steamrolling on public servers, and it usually has to do with the pace of the winning team. Sitting on an old flag to defend an outdated FOB prevents you from participating in this critical turning point. 3) The time and effort spent digging your FOB down will prevent the enemy team from participating in said turning point. They also won't be dying, which won't allow them to spawn on relevant flags. Stranding enemy squads that are out of position by refusing to kill them and allow them to respawn easily is a much stronger tactic than many people realize. 4) Even if you really, really need to prevent that ten ticket loss, it's easier to dig your own radio down and leave than to defend it. Doing so won't lose your team any tickets. All of this and much more is covered in the Intermediate (2) guide. I talk extensively about how important speed and staying on current objectives is in that video.

[@jeromeund9341]

After half a week of Squad and something like 15 games, I had like 3 games with decent SLs and team. I am not even saying making good decisions, but just giving proper orders and simply giving a shit about what's happening. Among those 3, one still disconnected in the middle of the game because we were losing and I found myself automatically promoted to SL while knowing about nothing about it. Sometimes, I have had 3 or 4 different SLs on the same game because they kept on giving up. What the hell is wrong wih this game... The guide was great, thank you!

[@kalimeet___1524]

Love the advice, havent seen any of the later vids but would've loved some actual gameplay mixed in

[@slimtomtano8278]

Great Video, Thanks!

[@LeonKakashi]

This is all situational, especially the disengage tactic. Often the squads are fighting around the FOBs and/or is defending an FOB that might not seem very needed but the opfor are trying to destroy it. Most who ignore these attacks on FOBs/HABs will find their entire team out of spawning points pretty fast. Losing a logi is also a great deal as the rule of thumb is not destroying a logi but de-wheeling the logi and moving on. The defense tactic is actually pretty good, kudos for that.

[@Wtfsenromy]

this is a very good, informative guide. great job!

[@Marcboss89]

Hey Captain! Best SL Guide on the Market ;) very good Work! Im a Clanlead and i recommend this and more of youre videos to all of myClanmates wich are considering to do more SL. A request: Can u Update your Point of view in tactics and the Rules for the Modes RAAS AAS TC and Inv? Specially now, where we have 50/50 Players. Or better, can u make a Command Role Guide?

[@danno633]

This is really good. Watched it twice.

[@ballaking1000]

20:19 I believe you mean 1,400 points lol! Great video though, massively appreciated.

[@E4rz]

Great vid, massive help for me, just to understand what's going on as a new player!

[@joostcarlier1880]

Great guide, now off to try it all out ;) thanks a lot

[@Mat-mh3hp]

Wow are you kidding me? When I saw that this video was 42 minutes long I nearly left then you give me a table of contents? absolutely spectacular. I can tell you're about it so I'm going to sift a little furthur into this mess of information you have to share with us. Don't forget guys, there will be people shooting at you and they ARE trying to kill you. we all need to figure this shit out together so lets everybody just calm the fuck down. Everything is going to be okay.

[@BlueNoteGaming_]

Thank you for the update Cap

[@dr.cleric2437]

In terms of the fob placements as a newbie I give the squad my idea for where I want the fob. Then I ask them. " do you guys think this will be a good spot?" I also reinforce the point that I'm looking for any feedback or ideas to assist. Once confirmed I will let squad leads know my plan and ask what they wish for us to do. Then rely back to squad if they want us to do a certain role

[@ZoggyWoggyII]

phenomenal video man

[@Kingsp1602]

This is awesome thank you

[@aguynamedqaz5192]

17:38 how did you open that menu? sorry still new to squad

[@rixce5706]

a guy named qaz 500+ hours and I had an idea that menu was a thing, but soon forgot about it. Till this day, I still don’t know how to get to it either 😂

[@BHMCaptain]

T!

[@borntopwnyou]

In a perfect world, non-communicative squad leaders would not exist. But this is not a perfect world.

[@Reese-Bain]

Well done

[@SolidRake]

Awesome video man, seriously keep it up 👍

[@blackfalcon1324]

I actually really appreciate kick heavy SLs when im playing as a foot soldier. I like cohesion.

[@lukashestbech1290]

This is perfect! Thank you very much!

[@doublen7135]

I'm just a good knuckledragger and leading a squad into buildings. Usually I'm like alright SL, you do you, but let me take care of hitting targets. Either I have a very convincing voice, or a lot of SL's are just happy someone's willing to share the burden and focus on what's directly in front of us in terms of fights while the SL can do what he does for the long term plans in the game or the follow up assuming we succesfully hit the target. I thrive in the urban combat stuff and keeping an eye around us and predicting the what and how, but I honestly can't be bothered dealing with everything else so I never even care about being a SL. Suggesting places for a FOB, suggesting a route, suggesting suggesting suggesting. A good SL will listen to GOOD suggestions. Also, anything you notice, like, a large movement suddenly happening, relay that to your SL immediately and TELL HIM to relay that to the other SL's that will be affected by this. A lot of people overcomplicate things while it's really simple to support your SL.

[@xsiteeu]

Great guide. Thank you.

[@paddyboycfcno1]

Epic guide helped me a lot thank you !

[@shelovevanilla]

I like to emphasize that when incapacitated you should go use the bathroom, get some water, get some food, or go on your phone. When we are getting low on tickets. It works very well

[@AnGeL2233able]

I am from Russia and from your so detailed guide I am delighted, but unfortunately I do not understand much because of the language barrier

[@FEdiveguy]

Just noticed that your cartoon (modified from original) at the 1:05 mark is done be my friend who I served in the RCAF with, specifically in 408 Tac Hel Sqn out of Edmonton Alberta. Just for UFI, he did cartoons for the unit at all of our major exercises/deployments as well as our tours in Haiti 1996 & Kosovo 1999. ( UFI - "Usless f___ing Information) May I ask how you came to find this cartoon ?

[@jeffy141]

Amazing guide

[@impulsiveDecider]

20:20 damn 14k points. Those insurgents upped their logi game x10 :)

[@fersaherez2128]

Thank you so much! But i'm confused, where to place HAB in RAAS game mode.

[@aricgerspacher1071]

ok yeah but how do I place fob. edit: OK 19:30 you should have started the video here

[@seankinnun1838]

Watch this with squad in the background and its intense asf with the music

[@tommyx9867]

Very good guide!

[@jamieleach4845]

Great tutorial, thank you

[@raifordpalmer]

Great guide. They all sit on the flags in groups b/c they are used to BF/COD. More players = faster cap. They don't know this is not true in Squad...

[@aldvier]

I've played other game similar like squad, Battlebit Remastered. Be me, tried being an SL when lucky to got the role. Get screamed by kids. Got suicide bombed by Indonesian. Pile of ally bodies stacked at tunnel. Get yelled by battlefield romancer. Get killed by Roof Sniper. Getting camped by BTR. Got yelled skill issue by grunt. Lifes good... 🙃