Guild Wars 2

I would like to state on behalf of all commanders (and I’ve never been one) that I appreciate your efforts and that the vast (about 90%) amount of you don’t even acknowledge someone when they’re putting you down.

Owning a pin doesn’t automatically mean you’re good. Having more than one commander can sometimes cause more trouble than it prevents, and not committing to your game plans (trying to push a zerg and running before 5 people even start to push) will only hurt team morale.

However; if you own a pin you bought it. Your money, do what you want with it. Just be prepared for the consequences if you don’t know how to do it. It’s best to state you’re new if you haven’t previously commanded so that people are aware mistakes may be made.
If there are two commanders (or more) you’re not required to follow either. You’re not REQUIRED to do anything, technically. So instead of harassing the people who are putting the most effort in to supporting your sever, choose a commander to follow (or don’t follow any if it pleases you) and continue to play. Being a jerk isn’t going to do anything other push necessary information out of the chat which people like me (who don’t use teamspeak) need in order to not get killed.
And finally, if a commander seems to have cold feet, pulling away and losing big segments of the zerg more often than attempting a push, you don’t need to rage-out. WvW, unfortunately, favors numbers. We all die and at that, most of us die quite often. Don’t have a fit over it, it costs a few silver to repair and you’re good to go. If you think your commander is bailing too often and not letting the group know, don’t follow them.

This isn’t a rant post it’s just asking people to be civil to each other and to stop putting so much pressure on the commanders. I’m glad that most of them (at least on my server, I’ve never been on others so I’m not sure how they behave elsewhere) don’t seem to be bothered by put-downs. Still, it isn’t necessary to harass the person(s) that are taking it upon themselves to command 100+ people and still have the patience to deal with the squirrel chasers.

Our server (Dragonbrand) has been doing very well this week. If anyone from that server sees this, thank you commanders and thank you team for doing a great job right now.

Personally there are a fair few of the PVE “commanders” that jump on WvW and take all the numbers as people aren’t reading the tags they are following…

GOM seems to get this quite a lot in EB, but overall people do seem to get that more than 2 people tagging up seems to be a decent negative

Yes, I just felt like making this because there has been a lot of squabbling going on on our server right now over who should be commanding. Lately we’ve had 2 commanders at almost all times and a few times recently even 3. It’s frustrating because it divides the group but like you and I have both said, people generally seem to understand it’s bad. So hopefully this whole weird fad of multiple pins that has been going on dies out, lol.

SpellOfIniquity.1780:

Yes, I just felt like making this because there has been a lot of squabbling going on on our server right now over who should be commanding. Lately we’ve had 2 commanders at almost all times and a few times recently even 3. It’s frustrating because it divides the group but like you and I have both said, people generally seem to understand it’s bad. So hopefully this whole weird fad of multiple pins that has been going on dies out, lol.

Umm you should have at least 2 at all times on every map…And sometimes 3…Running around in one big blob (as opposed to 2-3 medium ones) is a poor tactic that can leave you vulnerable if you ever come across a server with decent communication.

King Amadaeus.8619:

SpellOfIniquity.1780:

Yes, I just felt like making this because there has been a lot of squabbling going on on our server right now over who should be commanding. Lately we’ve had 2 commanders at almost all times and a few times recently even 3. It’s frustrating because it divides the group but like you and I have both said, people generally seem to understand it’s bad. So hopefully this whole weird fad of multiple pins that has been going on dies out, lol.

Umm you should have at least 2 at all times on every map…And sometimes 3…Running around in one big blob (as opposed to 2-3 medium ones) is a poor tactic that can leave you vulnerable if you ever come across a server with decent communication.

True, but 65% of the time server that runs WvW are Pugs without a decent communication sadly.

King Amadaeus.8619:

Umm you should have at least 2 at all times on every map…And sometimes 3…Running around in one big blob (as opposed to 2-3 medium ones) is a poor tactic that can leave you vulnerable if you ever come across a server with decent communication.

This is true and not true at the same time.

If your commander group numbers 35 and another commander group on your side numbers 35. Yes split up.

However if you are trying to defend against those two groups with only 40 people on the map… DO NO SPLIT. You are playing defense for awhile and need the numbers. Against each one of those groups. If you split into 2 groups of 20, each will get wiped by the enemy’s groups.

Ostra.3927:

King Amadaeus.8619:

Umm you should have at least 2 at all times on every map…And sometimes 3…Running around in one big blob (as opposed to 2-3 medium ones) is a poor tactic that can leave you vulnerable if you ever come across a server with decent communication.

This is true and not true at the same time.

If your commander group numbers 35 and another commander group on your side numbers 35. Yes split up.

However if you are trying to defend against those two groups with only 40 people on the map… DO NO SPLIT. You are playing defense for awhile and need the numbers. Against each one of those groups. If you split into 2 groups of 20, each will get wiped by the enemy’s groups.

Nah bruh, its still very true….All you need to do is have your commanders communicate and the 2nd bring his 20 to the others 20. There is nothing wrong with having two pins in the same spot if you are defending something that needs to be reinforced with bodies. Plus Commander #1 can stay, and #2 can take some with him/her to make a supply run, cap a camp, etc.

The ideal situation is to have 1-main zerg, 2-havoc group.

Running in one big blob is a mistake 99% of the time, the 1% being when you have a 200k blowout match and you are just karma training some paper ish.

SpellOfIniquity.1780:

Yes, I just felt like making this because there has been a lot of squabbling going on on our server right now over who should be commanding. Lately we’ve had 2 commanders at almost all times and a few times recently even 3. It’s frustrating because it divides the group but like you and I have both said, people generally seem to understand it’s bad. So hopefully this whole weird fad of multiple pins that has been going on dies out, lol.

This should not be a problem, I chose the commander I want to follow join his squad and I am totally oblivious to any other commanders (I cannot see their taggs while in squad) I think we need to encourage more players to join squads 2 or 3 commanders with squads can become a unstoppable force if they co-ordinate their maneuvers, flanking and sandwiching enemy zergs

Gobabis.5296:

SpellOfIniquity.1780:

Yes, I just felt like making this because there has been a lot of squabbling going on on our server right now over who should be commanding. Lately we’ve had 2 commanders at almost all times and a few times recently even 3. It’s frustrating because it divides the group but like you and I have both said, people generally seem to understand it’s bad. So hopefully this whole weird fad of multiple pins that has been going on dies out, lol.

This should not be a problem, I chose the commander I want to follow join his squad and I am totally oblivious to any other commanders (I cannot see their taggs while in squad) I think we need to encourage more players to join squads 2 or 3 commanders with squads can become a unstoppable force if they co-ordinate their maneuvers, flanking and sandwiching enemy zergs

Hey that guy/gal gets it.

simple matter of whispering the other commander to tag down.

King Amadaeus.8619:

Gobabis.5296:

SpellOfIniquity.1780:

Yes, I just felt like making this because there has been a lot of squabbling going on on our server right now over who should be commanding. Lately we’ve had 2 commanders at almost all times and a few times recently even 3. It’s frustrating because it divides the group but like you and I have both said, people generally seem to understand it’s bad. So hopefully this whole weird fad of multiple pins that has been going on dies out, lol.

This should not be a problem, I chose the commander I want to follow join his squad and I am totally oblivious to any other commanders (I cannot see their taggs while in squad) I think we need to encourage more players to join squads 2 or 3 commanders with squads can become a unstoppable force if they co-ordinate their maneuvers, flanking and sandwiching enemy zergs

Hey that guy/gal gets it.

IMO the game was designed to be played by 3 commanders on a map with a 30 man squad each capping and defending objectives and nor a 90 man blob just running over everything

I think most commanders tag up to lead their guild. That is usually why you have more than one on a map. The guild followers usually use “Join Squad” to isolate their commander from others. As the “blob” moves around commanders pick up other players not in their guild. As commanders become good then people look for their names to join. All of this can be easily managed through “whisper lists” or “commander coms (CComs)”. It can be quite confusing for inexperienced players but eventually you catch on.

Probably the single best thing a player could do to sort it all out is join the server on Team Speak or Ventrilo, which ever one is being used by that server.

Everyone’s missing the point so they can argue over the one thing they disagree on, as usual.

What I’m saying is that a commander isn’t required to command nor are there any certifications to be one. If you’re commanding and you know what you’re doing you should be thanked for taking it upon yourself instead of having people harass you over your mistakes. Also that yes multiple commanders can be beneficial but I find that most people lose the ability to think for themselves once a pin goes up. Which means that more than one is like watching a dog try to catch two tennis balls… One of the zergs is eventually going to consume all the players. Communication helps, it doesn’t resolve it, just prevents it.

Anyway, since this is now the primary focus of the conversation, I would also like to say that sure multiple pins are good… But I think what I failed to mention was that a lot of the time when more than one pin is up they’re both in the same spot… Which makes having two or more kind of pointless.

I’m sure ANet would not permit it on their forums, but it would be good to have a rating site for commanders where we can talk about them by name.

There are distinct styles with some commanders I think are outstanding, some ok, and some awful. It would be good to talk about them and get feedback on their strategies.

SpellOfIniquity.1780:

Everyone’s missing the point so they can argue over the one thing they disagree on, as usual.

What I’m saying is that a commander isn’t required to command nor are there any certifications to be one. If you’re commanding and you know what you’re doing you should be thanked for taking it upon yourself instead of having people harass you over your mistakes. Also that yes multiple commanders can be beneficial but I find that most people lose the ability to think for themselves once a pin goes up. Which means that more than one is like watching a dog try to catch two tennis balls… One of the zergs is eventually going to consume all the players. Communication helps, it doesn’t resolve it, just prevents it.

Anyway, since this is now the primary focus of the conversation, I would also like to say that sure multiple pins are good… But I think what I failed to mention was that a lot of the time when more than one pin is up they’re both in the same spot… Which makes having two or more kind of pointless.

I am DB commander! I also appreciate and understand what you are saying!

We also have a lot of newer commanders or lesser experienced commanders pinning up since we are winning this week, which is a good thing, but sometimes leads to disorganization..and a lot of commander tags with little communication, but they need to get experience at some point in order for our server to continue to grow!

I been commanding for a while now and I think most commanders know that so long as your doing what makes sense and the best you can…that’s all you can do…trolls will be trolls and they will always be there…not everyone is going to agree with your choices…but guess what…if they disagree so vehemently…they can get their own tag and lead

Commander ratings won’t happen because of trolls.

Gamadorn.2659:

I am DB commander! I also appreciate and understand what you are saying!

We also have a lot of newer commanders or lesser experienced commanders pinning up since we are winning this week, which is a good thing, but sometimes leads to disorganization..and a lot of commander tags with little communication, but they need to get experience at some point in order for our server to continue to grow!

I been commanding for a while now and I think most commanders know that so long as your doing what makes sense and the best you can…that’s all you can do…trolls will be trolls and they will always be there…not everyone is going to agree with your choices…but guess what…if they disagree so vehemently…they can get their own tag and lead

I agree and I’m glad you agree with me, too. However, those that are training to be commanders don’t need a pin up if they’re just training. I’m practicing being a commander myself by watching their routines and following examples and I don’t use a pin I just state what I feel would be good to do every so often in map chat and if people agree we do it.
But yeah you’re definitely right… Trolls will be trolls. I shouldn’t let myself get sucked in to it \ : Unfortunately for me my temper gets the best of me sometimes.

SpellOfIniquity.1780:

Gamadorn.2659:

I am DB commander! I also appreciate and understand what you are saying!

We also have a lot of newer commanders or lesser experienced commanders pinning up since we are winning this week, which is a good thing, but sometimes leads to disorganization..and a lot of commander tags with little communication, but they need to get experience at some point in order for our server to continue to grow!

I been commanding for a while now and I think most commanders know that so long as your doing what makes sense and the best you can…that’s all you can do…trolls will be trolls and they will always be there…not everyone is going to agree with your choices…but guess what…if they disagree so vehemently…they can get their own tag and lead

I agree and I’m glad you agree with me, too. However, those that are training to be commanders don’t need a pin up if they’re just training. I’m practicing being a commander myself by watching their routines and following examples and I don’t use a pin I just state what I feel would be good to do every so often in map chat and if people agree we do it.
But yeah you’re definitely right… Trolls will be trolls. I shouldn’t let myself get sucked in to it \ : Unfortunately for me my temper gets the best of me sometimes.

This is true and my guys don’t, but even when they are ready to take the training wheels off..and start commanding on their own…they are gonna make mistakes lol, watching someone do it…then taking the reigns is a completely different beast…it’s easy to play armchair quarterback…it’s different when 30-40 people are looking at you to lead them and do a good job

The other things is…unfortunately…sometimes there are just random guys out there with commander tags who think it’s cool to tag up….even when one of the more experienced commanders is trying to rally people…eventually anet will get around to fixing the commander issue haha

P.S.: At least we have an issue with too many commanders rather than not enough or no commanders lol

Nick.6972:

Commander ratings won’t happen because of trolls.

Commander ratings could easily be done. Add a new option to Y for rating, add voting to right click on portrait. You only get one vote per comm. Give people an option to view the rating in game.

But for people who play world for the majority of their play time, they know who the comms are they want to follow and will join squad. I know if someone new pops on the map I will follow them a while to see if I like their style. If I don’t care for the way they do things I will escort yaks or go refresh siege.

I will say the one thing that I’ve been seeing especially with new comms is the blatant refusal to get into TS or even type in chat what it is they want to accomplish. Doesn’t matter how many doritios you have on the map in that situation. Poor communication will always = fail.

Our server is developing a strategy for commanding two zergs that looks promising. The main guild runs a tagless zerg that you can only find if you are in Mumble in the correct channel. Then there is a pick up zerg with a tagged commander usually in training. The two groups coordinate in Team and Map chat.

I firmly believe that if you can show me a commander that can — upgrade the tower he just took, run the yaks from the camps that he upgraded, protect and siege the keep he helped capture, watch the map for the flipping of points done not only by his enemies but by his own server mates, command the group he’s running, talk jokes on his TS with his server and his guild, determine what targets he will now take… etc… THEN I WANT TO SEE THAT SO I CAN TEACH MY PEOPLE TO DO IT THEMSELVES AS WELL, PLEASE SHOW ME HOW !! I WILL FOLLOW YOU RIGHT NOW !!

I am sick and tired of the “I am the only commander on the field and I can do it all !” mentality. YOU CAN’T…. PERIOD. I teach my entire guild that one of the best ways to control a map is to break down the Title of Commander. We have 4 titles… Call Commander, Scout Commander, Zerg/Field Commander and Tower Commander. The names speak for themselves and are pretty much easy to understand except for the “Call Commander”. This is the guy that studies his BL map that he is working on for the night and looks for trends in the enemies attacks. This is a person that sits on ALL the maps and deciphers the “flow of the map fights”. The C-Com is the guy that listens and watches the map he is helping on and tells his MULTIPLE Comms what is going on on the field and what the enemy is doing. C-Coms collect information on the fly from Scouts and Scout Comms and by watching the map and the things that only someone who is doing NOTHING but watching the map will be actually able to see. He also hands out the R.I. countdowns to his Comms on the field so they can decide what target they can hit. We all know about the Live feed and can watch that, but no one really DEDICATES time to paying attention to it. We do in [PB]. I have been pushing our Guild to have MANY Commanders and the communication ground rules laid in to make it work. When we go out into the field we take as many up to 5 Comms right off the bat. We want a guy to lead the Zerg = Field Com. We want a guy and a crew to set-up in the tower we just took = Tower Com. We want scouts in the field that can be spotted and are good at relaying information = Scout Com. AND finally we need a Comm that looks “Down” over the whole map and sees all these Coms and helps direct the flow of traffic = C-Com. This system is EXTREMELY effective and is one we are supporting in NSP. It’s a new thing for the Server but it’s catching on quickly.

WHO am I that I can tell someone to turn their dot off ?? Who am I that I can walk onto a field with more people and now claim we need to stop what is working and tell the other Comms to listen to me ONLY ?? WHY do you think 1 Commander is capable of doing everything that HAS TO BE DONE IN WvW ??? IT’S IMPOSSIBLE !!!

This system works with ANY combination of Comms/Guilds/Alliances… etc. We DO NOT run ANY Commander off the field EVER. Good or Bad. EVERY server knows a good Com and a bad one. The bad ones don’t get people to follow them for very long. The good ones (and their are lots of them) will be just as good with 5 people or 500 following them. What is the single most important thing in this system is the Communication on the field. We have been working this system for a few months now. We have had up to 8 Comms on the field at the same time, all with 1-30 people in them and we have MAJOR success when we all get together to do it.

Teamwork is the only thing you need. Once that hurdle is cleared then you are on the road to your Server becoming a powerhouse. I promise. If anyone from any server would like to come and watch this work, or join up with a Guild that believes in having EVERY Commander that can bring people onto the field EVERY TIME !! Then come to NSP, join [PB] Phoenix Battalion and I will show you how it can be done.

Avatar Dreximir (ele), Deathby Smashing (Guard), Mezmuroenius (Mes) – All my Commanders on the NSP field and my Guild has 12 Commanders that specialize in the positions that I talked about. IT WORKS !!

Adahilia.3678:

Nick.6972:

Commander ratings won’t happen because of trolls.

Commander ratings could easily be done. Add a new option to Y for rating, add voting to right click on portrait. You only get one vote per comm. Give people an option to view the rating in game.

The commander’s guild mates will vote him up.
If he is in conflict with another guild, the other guild players will vote him down.

I would actually love a way to down vote bad commanders because we have some crazy and stupid ones on my world (Fort Ranik). It’s not gonna happen, though.