I feel some Military instruction would be useful to players needing Teamwork in BG. so, here goes nothing! (bear in mind im not the greatest at PVP but i do know how to address certain problems when i see them):
I just finished trasnferring to Ticondrius server from Runetotem. The reason being was that the PvP was…lacking. I play as a Horde. The lossess seemed to be rather…excessive. I am aware that this seems to be a universal issue for Horde and alliance depending on when one decides to queue, which particular BG they get assigned to, and so on. However, i started to wonder: Why are the losses and wins so one-sided? Setting aside faction, the losses are rarely “close”. They do occur but they are the exception rather than the norm. When victories do occur they are “conservative” in nature (by "Conservative i mean a group will opt only to take 3 flags and hold them rather than all 5. a sound strateggy as it limits the burden on the group numerically. There is real life Military Procedure for this tactic…as ill explain). So now onto the problems and fixes to improve Teamwork in the BGs (these are in no particular order):
Problem 1: Too much arguing.
When the match is in play, i have noticed alot of arguing between players. This includes (but is not limited to) trashtalking, insults, trolling, etc. Now in every sport played on any field a certain degree of trashtalk happens. However, its usually directed at the opposing team, not ones own team. World of Warcraft and PvP is a TEAM sport. the TEAM is your success, and your survival. Trashtalk, negativity and all around bad mental frame of mind will only hinder you more. i know its tempting to yell at teammates who make mistakes and i get it: its frustrating when you dont think everyone is operating under maximum conditions. Try to stifle it. there is a military science behind why: When you get emotional it makes it difficult to think clearly and act. The Ancient Spartans figured this out in the time of Ancient Greece so they would play calming music to calm them before battle. The tradition occurs today in modern militaries.
Problem 2: poor communication.
i use the word “poor” because it often means just that: either there is no effective communication or there is none at ALL. Typing is the past. think of typing a message like driving a car: when you text while driving you have to take your eyes off the road for a second. a lot can happen in a second. just like in a BG. if you dont want to use a third party server for voice chat thats fine: blizzard provides one for use in game and it works REALLY well. The second point about this is HOW to communicate.
Alot will be happening once fighting starts. chatter will be constant, many people will try to talk at once. This is fine. however it needs to be refined: 1 person and 1 person ONLY should EVER be talking on a constant basis. This is the “Target Caller”. He tells the group who to attack next. Any other call outs are ONLY for flags that are getting attacked. Keep this limited in messaging. for example: i am a rogue sitting on a flag in Arathi Basin BG at Farm. i see 3 members coming my way. i immediately type “3 inc farm”.
thats all that is needed. keep it short and sweet. OR if using the voice chat say the same thing. “incoming 3 to farm.” There is real life military reasons for this. time is precious. the more time you can give your teammates to react to your call for help the better. Here is a famous line from WW1 about a field Commander named Ferdinand Foch when he sent a message to his higher command about his attack: " My center is giving way, my right is pushed back, situation excellent, I am attacking.
To break down Foch’s comment: his “Army” (i.e. your BG group) would be on the attack. Some go left, some go right, some go mid. lets say we are in Warsong Gulch. everyone is fighting in the mid. Foch’s situation would look like this: Those who went straight up the middle would be losing but arent dead yet, the right wouldnt be dead but they are fighting in retreat, but his left was presumably good and would be unopposed and therefore would outflank the enemy force. if the allies in retreat stop running and turn and fight, they enemies advance towards your Flagroom would be stalled. this buys time. Time is the most precious resource on any battlefield.
Communication in short should be kept clear and concise.
Problem 3: Research.
Most players dont spend even a few minutes watching a video to improve or write macros. There are a ton of Youtube videos available for guidance on what to do , how to write, and how to fight. ill post a few links to some reputable people who make short, sweet, and to the point videos that are easier to understand than instruction on making macaroni art. Why Macros though? Macros simplify your buttons pushed. because global cooldowns are a thing (global cooldowns are essentially when you use an ability and all other abilities are rendered unable to be use. its only for a split second but that can interrupt a rotation that does alot of damage. it also limits the number of buttons you need to push.). simply put: why push 7 different buttons when you only need to push three or two?
Thats the value of macros. The videos ill post at the end of this threat will help you. i wont post all videos but just the one for rogues. Other videos for classes exist and they can be just as informative.
Problem 4: Off time.
When pvp isnt happening, its tempting to just do things that arent pvp related. this is important as it lets you calm down and blow off steam. However, this time should also be refined. Use the off time to build your character in other ways: if you cant boost your rating then do pve stuff to strengthen your character. For example: grinding out Stygia for socketing pvp gear or gian better Soulbind/conduit abilities, etc.
in short, be thinking of ways to improve if PvP is not cooperating with you.
The real life precedent for this in the military would be the Special Forces, Navy SEALs, MARSOC, Marine Special Operations Command, etc.
When schooling is done in the military, its kept simple for a reason: its all based around the concept that you will have to do these things while being shot at in real life.
Treat PvP the same way: will you have the mental clarity and focus to act in such a way that you wont be killed in a pvp fight? are your buttons ordered clearly? are your macros functioning the way they should based on using test dummies? all of these questions and more can help improve your game play.
Problem 5: DO NOT FIGHT ALONE.
I cant stress this enough. ive seen it time and time again. you are not a god. if you go off and fight alone you will die alone. its that simple. Very few people possess the gear to take on 2 let alone 3 people at once. Stop fighting the programming math and obey it. itll save your life and may win you the match.
Think back to all BGs you ever lost: what happens with the opposing team? ever see them wander off alone? if so i promise you it was RARE. usually a rogue or druid attempting to ninja a flag or slow down the Flag carrier. beyond that nothing more.
even then at least take two stealthies. one to cap and one to ambush those preventing you.
The real world military precedent for this are Snipers. No Sniper team or spec ops team operates alone like that. They usually have at least 1 other person with them. There are instances in history of lone wolf types but these are scarce. Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock was one such individual. Simo Hayha (a sniper from Finland during the Russo-Finnish War of 1939-1940) was another. Today however, this is never done. The reason is obvious: you fight alone you die alone.
You are not Superman/Wonder Woman. Do not fight alone. doing this alone will increase your odds of winning by an enormous amount.
Reader, if you are getting anything from this, let it be this: i know you value individuality in your personal life. i know this and it is important. However, in a fight, Individuality gets people killed and loses the fight. typically both at the same time.
Protect your healers, protect yourself and protect your teammates. Do not let them arrack a target alone. This goes right back to my earlier statement about the “Target Caller” above".
It should take practice but when its done right, itll all fit together like a puzzle.
i hope this helps. i can be reached in game on my toon name: Carcharadon on Ticondrius.
. Most of that has nothing to do with teamwork. It’s just ramble.