Squad 'Squad Leader' Role Guide: How To Play As The Command Role

Squad is most likely the most unfriendly newby game on the Valve FPS platform, forcing players to jump into intense wide-scale combat situations with little knowledge of what's going on. Players are found trying to enter Squads, struggling with their Kit Selection, and then experiencing unforgettable verbal exchanges from their teammates when they're not utilizing their gear correctly. Fortunately, we're able to teach you how to use your gear appropriately in this guide, sharing tips on the Assault (Direct Combat) roles! 

Squad: All Direct Combat Roles Explained 

This guide will explain the best way to play infantry roles, this role provides you with a standard national assault rifle by your country's team, for example, Americans receive the M16A4 rifle. The Direct Combat roles often experience the heavy lifting of the game, killing players, storming compounds, and acting as cannon fodder for specialist roles.

However, it's impossible to win a game without the Direct Combat role players, they're great at overwhelming enemies and providing fire support. Despite receiving the most difficult tasks, the infantry deal with clearing sectors and taking out enemies that test them.

Squad: Rifleman/Fighter

The Rifleman/Fighter is given the option between iron sites and magnified on their weapons, being the only choice in additional equipment they obtain. The other additional items are medical equipment, smoke, grenades, and magazines. The primary objective of every rifleman is teamwork and the following values:

• Always stay with your team 
• Take instructions from Squad Leader and follow closely 
• Communicate 
• Provide fire support to specialist roles and when engaged
• Clear objectives, kill enemies, report to a higher rank (squad commander)

Essentially, the Rifleman role is the most basic role in Squad, allowing players to take the less "serious" role within the game and possibly providing a more relaxed Squad experience. As long as you listen to your instructions and follow your team around, you'll be fine. 

Squad: How to Play Squad Leader 

The Squad Leader role faces a high level of responsibility, having up to nine players following your command. Within this role, communicate with other Squad leaders to generate a sufficient plan to win the overall game. Once coming up with plans, communicate with your Squad and command them to complete your tasks. For example, if you need to take an objective planned by other Squad leaders communicate with your squad the following, "Squad, we're going to take Vineyard from the south bank, eliminate all targets and await for Charlie Team to infiltrate the North of the compound and close in." 

Additionally, you're going to need to give your specialists instructions, such as snipers, "Snipers take position south of the compound, within two-hundred meters." Essentially, you're the brains behind the team, organizing every player and commanding them to victory. If players reject your instructions you have the option to kick them from your Squad. Most players reject wanting to play the Squad Leader due to the level of responsibility you obtain throughout the match, such as holding these values: 

• Map knowledge 
• Constant Communication 
• Organization 
• Patience 
• Experience using all roles 

As a Squad leader, your team is going to question your strategy and ability to lead, therefore, you're going to need experience within each role before leading them. Players are incredibly critical about having bad Squad Leaders, therefore you're going to want to be prepared for criticism if you make a mistake. However, you're the brains of the team and will be praised if everything goes well, just make sure you have great communication skills!