Some basic questions about multiplayer (team play, squads, roles, UI)

[bac9 1]

Hi. If you don't mind, I wanted to ask several questions about ArmA 3 multiplayer that I have struggled to find answers to myself. Sorry in advance if this is a wrong forum section.

Straight to the point. My questions:

• I am constantly hearing orders starting with a squad member number, e.g. "6, regroup" and so on. Several problems here, though. First, what number refers to me? Is there a player list or some sort of separate sheet that can show that to you? Additionally, there can be multiple squads on a server. How can I be sure someone is referring to me and not to a member from another squad with a same number?
  
• As far as I see, you have to find an empty role slot in the squad list on any server you join, and choose a role in order to proceed. Is that the place where designated numbers come from? What else does it determine? Your load and a squad leader you're assigned too, I guess?
  
• Is there any sort of connection between the place of your spawn and position of your squad leader? Every server I have visited had squad leader nowhere in sight. Figuring out their location (other side of the island, usually), while possible, is often useless as you probably won't make it to your squad alive. I guess spawn points are static and you are supposed to be in the right place when action starts. That makes sense, especially in milsim context where magically appearing in the middle of a battlefield near your commander is kind of strange. Alright, then I have a next question.
  
• How to find servers where you can start simultaneously with everyone? I.e. when everyone gears up on the air force base or stands in the same place in a beginning of some scenario. Is there a server filter or something for that, relieving you from the need to play catch-up through half the island?
  
• Why are hexagonal icons marking every single squad leader in the area? Can I switch them off for everyone but my squad leader? Not a big issue, but can be confusing, especially in a heated situation.
  
• Are there any tips or tricks you can point out to me on the subject of situation awareness? Is there anything I can miss? Like, I don't know, maybe there are subtle markers showing the place your leader marked when issuing a move order, or something else I could let slip.
  

Sorry if these questions are obvious or lame, I'm kind of new to ArmA multiplayer and on foot gameplay.

I have had some experience with ArmA 2 in 2010, but have always resorted to single-player, playing various user-made scenarios and going through the Armory. Loved flying the helicopters and planes above all else. I know these parts of ArmA aren't on par with "true" specialized simulators like DSC and can be looked down onto as secondary additions to superior on foot part of the game, but, well. On foot gameplay in ArmA/OFP never felt comfortable to me, with all that clunky UI, limited movement and at times challenging, not particularly responsive controls. I have to confess that I have had great trouble getting thought the main campaign. And well, I haven't had good ISP to try multiplayer properly back then.

It all changed with ArmA 3. I'm having a blast with the sweeping changes developers have made to the UI, stances, movement, mouse controls and lots of other stuff. It's all so fluid and responsive, so much that it's a pleasure to walk now! After trying out the showcase scenarios (sorry, helicopters are still my #1 love and I had a blast flying that Ka-60) I have figured that I'm missing out. It's time to try playing with people instead of toying with AI from the safety of the skies. So here I am. (:

Ah, some other questions, by the way.

• Can you enjoy the game in a meaningful way playing on public servers, or joining some sort of a group or clan and looking for a closed server is an absolute necessity? I have seen a few thread titles around here on the subject. Under "meaningful way" I'm implying stuff different from team killing, watching twenty helicopters crash into a runway or making it alone through opfor-filled island only to find your squad leader disconnected.
  
• Is a headset + mumble, teamspeak (or other similar solution) an absolute necessity here too? I can't say I'm comfortable with using voice in multiplayer, although if one can get by being a passive listener to some channel, it's understandable and alright. Obviously I'm not planning on being a team leader, so there isn't much to report at any rate.
  

Thanks in advance for any answers!

Edited March 7, 2013 by bac9

[Masharra 10]

since youre new you may not have your accept PM's turned on. check it. Settings > general settings > turn on pm's

[Iroquois Pliskin 0]

[*]I am constantly hearing orders starting with a squad member number, e.g. "6, regroup" and so on. Several problems here, though. First, what number refers to me? Is there a player list or some sort of separate sheet that can show that to you? Additionally, there can be multiple squads on a server. How can I be sure someone is referring to me and not to a member from another squad with a same number?

To find out your designation, reply with either 5- or 0- menu, i.e.: 5-5 is "What's your location" - it will show up in radiochat log.

[*]As far as I see, you have to find an empty role slot in the squad list on any server you join, and choose a role in order to proceed. Is that the place where designated numbers come from? What else does it determine? Your load and a squad leader you're assigned too, I guess?

Most of the time - yes.

[*]Is there any sort of connection between the place of your spawn and position of your squad leader? Every server I have visited had squad leader nowhere in sight. Figuring out their location (other side of the island, usually), while possible, is often useless as you probably won't make it to your squad alive. I guess spawn points are static and you are supposed to be in the right place when action starts. That makes sense, especially in milsim context where magically appearing in the middle of a battlefield near your commander is kind of strange. Alright, then I have a next question.

Since you're probably talking about public servers... I'd ignore the squad leader till the time when an opportunity arises to regroup with him. :) No connection between spawn & TL locations, most of the games are Join-in-Progress, meaning: everyone will be "ahead" of you in the mission.

[*]How to find servers where you can start simultaneously with everyone? I.e. when everyone gears up on the air force base or stands in the same place in a beginning of some scenario. Is there a server filter or something for that, relieving you from the need to play catch-up through half the island?

That's mission-specific, look for recurring mission names & check them out. Some of the most popular ones aren't in A3A yet, and they would fit your description.

[*]Why are hexagonal icons marking every single squad leader in the area? Can I switch them off for everyone but my squad leader? Not a big issue, but can be confusing, especially in a heated situation.

Hexagons only mark members from YOUR entire squad AFAIK.

[*]Are there any tips or tricks you can point out to me on the subject of situation awareness? Is there anything I can miss? Like, I don't know, maybe there are subtle markers showing the place your leader marked when issuing a move order, or something else I could let slip.

Join servers with Regular difficulty, then you'll be able to have on-screen waypoints & squad location, as well as friendly & enemy units on the map.

I have had some experience with ArmA 2 in 2010, but have always resorted to single-player, playing various user-made scenarios and going through the Armory. Loved flying the helicopters and planes above all else. I know these parts of ArmA aren't on par with "true" specialized simulators like DSC and can be looked down onto as secondary additions to superior on foot part of the game, but, well. On foot gameplay in ArmA/OFP never felt comfortable to me, with all that clunky UI, limited movement and at times challenging, not particularly responsive controls. I have to confess that I have had great trouble getting thought the main campaign. And well, I haven't had good ISP to try multiplayer properly back then.

It all changed with ArmA 3. I'm having a blast with the sweeping changes developers have made to the UI, stances, movement, mouse controls and lots of other stuff. It's all so fluid and responsive, so much that it's a pleasure to walk now! After trying out the showcase scenarios (sorry, helicopters are still my #1 love and I had a blast flying that Ka-60) I have figured that I'm missing out. It's time to try playing with people instead of toying with AI from the safety of the skies. So here I am. (:

:)

[*]Can you enjoy the game in a meaningful way playing on public servers, or joining some sort of a group or clan and looking for a closed server is an absolute necessity? I have seen a few thread titles around here on the subject. Under "meaningful way" I'm implying stuff different from team killing, watching twenty helicopters crash into a runway or making it alone through opfor-filled island only to find your squad leader disconnected.

On public servers - of course, though you will have to find missions with reasonable restrictions for flying & gear, such as those based on your score. Evolution/Domination/Warfare CTI come to mind -- those aren't out yet for A3A. :)

[*]Is a headset + mumble, teamspeak (or other similar solution) an absolute necessity here too? I can't say I'm comfortable with using voice in multiplayer, although if one can get by being a passive listener to some channel, it's understandable and alright. Obviously I'm not planning on being a team leader, so there isn't much to report at any rate.

Headset is a plus in every scenario, since VON is available & working in-game. Teamspeak is used by more organised communities/squads.

Enjoy

[majorakl 1]

You may want to look into joining an organized squad that offers training and regular missions. check out the squads forums on here to find one.

[bac9 1]

Thanks a lot, Iroquois, that was extremely helpful! Masharra, thanks to you too, for the great answers you have sent me via PM!

Speaking of game modes and user-made scenarios: is there a place where I can read about the popular ones? I'm not seeing the description window in the server lobby, so I guess the only source of information during the game is the map with objectives. These aren't usually covering the full scope of what's going on though (end goals, win conditions, how vehicle spawning and respawning was set up in this particular scenario, and so on). I guess armaholic.com is the place to go for that, and I should read the descriptions of recent releases to know what kind of scenario I'm getting into when browsing the server list?

majorakl, thanks for the suggestion! But I'm not sure if that's possible at the moment. I'm frequently working overtime and can't really participate in an organization with some sort of regularly scheduled activities - I can't even predict when I'm getting home the next day. Hopefully that will resolve itself next month. :D