Squad Leaders

[ro-sham-bo]

Guys, I find myself wanting the kind of teamwork that TF2 can offer, but I don't have the experience to be a squad leader type yet, plus I'm a little mic shy. What advice do you have for a noob like me, how can I be more of a leader?

P.S.
I have a recurring dream about an assembly line of dispensers from here to their flag with pyros and heavies and medics, what does it mean?

 

[Beta]

well why are you nervous in the first place?

 

[.[BORN]2kill]

I think you should play medic and team up with somebody on the server. Practice your communication with that one player at first until you get more comfortable. Playing well with another player on the server can help boost your confidence and hopefully your mic-shyness. Plus it is fun when you are owning!

--born

 

[koolaid]

thatsz a great idea from born2kill you should also just play with your frinends and get used to the mic add me to you friends and il be happy to play with you in tf2

 

[Insurge]

Hey I used to be a little mic shy in my old games but playing valve games where everyone is talking, you can talk freely! Come over in vent and I'll talk to ya! Get some close friends on vent and start using mic, eventually you'll get some more confidence and then just try talking a bit in game until you get comfortable and you'll be talking whenever you feel like it! Personally I don't talk that much in game. I talk more in vent in my DoD House channel [H/H] because I know the people that come there very well and don't feel shy around them .

 

[Jeebus]

These are all really good points guys.

Ro-sham-bo, the best way to get rid of that shyness is just what these fellows have said. I'd add that you should also play a lot of our 2fort server (not the instant respawn).

A lot of the same faces show up there, and you'll start to lose that shyness when speaking to someone. Speak clearly, as if you were talking to someone in the same room as you. When you talk, it can be about anything (as long as it isn't in bad taste). Asking who saw the newest episode of South Park/House/Jerry Springer can get some casual responses and then take it from there. I personally hate it when the servers are too quiet but 32 people are playing on them.

Another thing is if you're playing 2fort or anything capture the flag style game and you have the flag, constantly talk about where you are. It really helps to know where the flag might drop if you die so the rest of the team can use the time left to touch the flag again without wandering around looking for where it could be.

Alerting of incoming spies is always great too. "Spy as an engineer, coming in front base." Good stuff right there.

Unless your mic is scratchy and makes our ears bleed and you're not being a punk, people will completely be cool with you.

 

[ro-sham-bo]

thanks alot for all the good advice, guys, i appreciate it

 

[Dreadmaker]

Ro-sham-bo... I've got one more piece of advice.

I am not mic shy in the least. This I think comes from being a jazz musician. We have to be outgoing. HOWEVER.... I typically try to talk a lot when I'm playing. this encourages other people to speak up also. If you would like to add me, and come onto a server I'm in (usually turbine) I would be happy to talk with you, and help the communication flow.

And you know what? when you are playing with a lot of people, and there isn't anyone you know? who cares! you aren't ever going to see them again anyhow (probably). Speak up, let them know you are there.

Also, I find the best way to break the ice? Say "hey guys" as you are coming in the server, and suddenly you will learn who is willing to communicate and who isn't.

 

[Existence.]

Also, I find the best way to break the ice? Say "hey guys" as you are coming in the server, and suddenly you will learn who is willing to communicate and who isn't.

I love that tactic, it really works. It quickly shows who is talkative and who isn't.

 

[/Aqua Blue]

Really?I thought it was to see if anybody you knew was there because even though I say hi to everybody that says hi a person would mostly chat with his friends o0.

 

[subtle_turtle]

Ro-Sham-bo, just start adding eGO members to your steam friends, then make a point to play with them. I don't know everyone on my friends list personally, but they are people I have played with and enjoyed, or that liked me (shows that they are bad judges of character). Then if I see someone is already online I join them and just play.
I don't use mic chat a lot (my mic is awful), but I talk over chat and team chat, and if I am playing medic or something that requires communication, then I will use my mic.
Add me to your steam friends and we'll play sometime!