Platooning

Hi there



Because I am getting now more ("forced" by the guide program which for me is a good thing as making the lonesome wolf to often in solo randoms) into platoons I wanted to request some tips and tricks about platooning. I think for some people this might be interessting
Points I thought of:
-- How to not fail platoon (so some words on matchmaking, scoutmatchmaking and special matchmaking)
-- What tanks make sense in platoons (composition)
-- technics (yes I know Wolfpacking in example was in the medium lessons but possibly there are more secrets?)
-- tactics
-- any points someone else might be interessted in possibly added in this topic
-- Should there to be a platoon commander so some one in charge to coordinate that
-- etc

I know there is at the moment the TC series which is really important but due to the fact platoons are recommanded and enforced this might be somewhat interessting for some of us. Even if I think several points of the TC training series also apply onto this topic (focus fire, shielding and such things) also it's just a request I don't mind the timing when this is done or if this is done but as everybody said make request, request personal lessons and stuff I am just trying to do so. Even if it just creates a discussion where I can learn something about this I am happy.

and yes i had this years creative 5 minutes for that pic  

greets
Ronin

We were thinking about some platoon stuff earlier but never really got it structured in the right way  
The points you listed there did help me a lot. I will start working on it, expect something over the next week.

I will try post something later today about the platoon commanders which is a twisted little thing.


That picture just made my day, great job, Ronin  

Never, ever, ever bring a tier 4 scout with other tier 4 tanks.

A loltraktor with a maus is ok though.

we_just_dinged_em wrote:Never, ever, ever bring a tier 4 scout with other tier 4 tanks.

A loltraktor with a maus is ok though.

You hide your lower plate right?  

Vampir_Kifla wrote:

we_just_dinged_em wrote:Never, ever, ever bring a tier 4 scout with other tier 4 tanks.

A loltraktor with a maus is ok though.

You hide your lower plate right?  

ultimate tactic when platooning with loltracktor and Maus.

Step 1: Find a narrow alleyway.

Step 2: Maus runs over loltracktor for teamkill.

Step 3: Force loltracktor corpse into horizontal position to protect your front plate.

Step 4: Profit.

Added Maus to shopping list ... who has a Loltractor?

RoninRage wrote:Added Maus to shopping list ... who has a Loltractor?

Too expensive.

Great idea for lessons.
Focus fire could be useful in any constellation, so even more in platoons. (Imagine kv1s toon going round a corner in style).

/B

Good point mate, something I know Wasp and Vallu both require in TC

Didn't make it yesterday so here it comes today, my view on the platoon leader issue.
Like I said before, having one guy to command is a twisted thing. There are different opinions about it and both have their reasons.

1)Playing without platoon leader:
Our platoons mostly have a relaxed atmosphere and people are just playing and chatting away.
Decisions where to go and what to do are done on the fly and via suggestions and not orders.
Sometimes less experienced players ask for good spots on this or that flank since they rarely go there.
Or people ask what our reasons for chosing that flank were (mostly it is just a feeling though  ).

All in all it takes the pressure out of platooning and makes it an very enjoyable experience for all of us.

A downpart might be that students (and not only them ofc) do not max out the learning effect since they just learn on the fly and do not get that much feedback as they might get otherwise.
But what makes that neglectable for me is the fun we have while playing and we just overall have a good time.

2) With Platoon Leaders
I had the pleasure to experience that commanding style while playing with Cynep in the earlier days.
He gave us spots to go for, called out targets, told us when to push and so on.
Since he is an amazing player the spots and timings were always right and we were quiet successful.
The problem for me was that after a few games the "parenting" was taking the fun out of it for me.
I could hardly use my playstyle and the constant focus and push gameplay is very demanding after all.

If you have a stronk* platoon leader you can learn loads of new spots and put your gameplay up to a new level in no time. You will learn about new aspects of the game and maybe get another view on playing the game.
But it comes with some restrictions.
Playing at your own pace is hardly possible and you have to maintain a high level of professionalism all the time, which is building up a distinct level of pressure. And if you happen to have a "bad" platoon leader it can starts to get frustrating after a few games.


Both ways have their arguments I learned very much from Cynep in a short time but I prefer playing at my own pace after all. Everybody has to decide for himself which way he likes the most.
Wasp

*I can't write it the right way anymore due to Mad

I quite like both styles of platooning, pretty much for the reasons outlined above. Without a platoon leader it is a bit more relaxed and less demanding. It does not matter as much if playstyles match or not, because you can just choose to do your own thing and the advantage of being in a platoon mainly comes from having at least two others on your team that are trying to win the game. Some people's playstyles just clash too much for either to be forced into the style of the other without bad things happening. Some people just don't like being told what to do to the point of opposing a mere suggestion.

Spoiler:

To properly leverage a platoon though, you have to play with someone that either has a similar or a complementary playstyle to yours. If you are at a similar level of skill (or at least have a broad understanding of each other's limits), you can effectively mix both platooning styles as the situation demands.

Spoiler:

In addition, I sometimes like to play with someone else in command. Especially when they are much better than me, I can learn a lot if I pay attention and ask the right questions (after the battle preferably). Other times, I just like to be pulled out of my comfort zone. Playing your own strats, especially when learning new tanks or maps, you tend to develop a routine that usually works, but it is better to have alternatives or be able to flex into another strat if your regular approach does not work. In this case it can help if you have someone else moving the pieces around the board and you just have to make it work.

The platooning stuff is written and ready to be used

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ix01YghLJo1FzD2YX8VDrhKsz1l2NHhvwPzBck18H8w/edit?usp=sharing

Have a look at it and tell me what you think

[quote="Wasp wrote:The platooning stuff is written and ready to be used  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ix01YghLJo1FzD2YX8VDrhKsz1l2NHhvwPzBck18H8w/edit?usp=sharing
 Have a look at it and tell me what you think

  WHAT A LOAD OFF RUBBISH !!!