The Essence of the Commander

[SolubleWhenWet]

THIS IS NOT A THREAD REGARDING THE COMMANDER REWORK, NOR IS IT A COMPLAINT THREAD, BUT A THREAD FROM THE HEART

Since I started playing CM these past few months, I've really enjoyed interacting with Commanders and I'm looking forward to seeing new ones when the app reopens. It can be a coinflip to see a Commanding officer with the ability to actually get behind an overwatch console and actually help people, but I still appreciate roleplay oriented ones whose character somehow got promoted despite never leading a charge in their entire life. I look forward to someone who can sit down and meet with the LTs before a briefing to discuss the plan, instead of expecting 4 to 5 yes-men. When opting to staying on the ship, I enjoy seeing them leave CIC occasionally, (LTS and the XO are big boys who can wipe their own ass) visit wounded and aid req; when deploying, I enjoy seeing those that do more than just UNGA DUNGA SHOOT MANS, can drag men out of hell alive, and lead a daring holdout at the aptly named Alamo ship as the thrusters engage.

To me, the role is best filled when they're one of the only guys with substance within the context of the round, instead of appearances and meta reputation from rounds prior.

tl;dr What qualities make a Commander that you enjoy PLAYING WITH? Its something I think a lot of people lose focus on, with regards to epic memes.

[Renomaki]

In my opinion, a commander that is vocal and has charisma it much better than a commander who try to be a 5th smartgunner and leave their XO in charge of everything while they run off and die.

A commander who tries his best to stay in touch with his men and keeps them up to date on things does much more to boost confidence than one that is mostly silent. It lets you know that the CO is watching over you and that if shit hits the fan, he'll call in help as soon as he can. It also helps if the commander, you know, has a personality.

Sure, the more talkative, RP focused commanders tend to be looked down upon by many, but in the end, they ARE a high RP role, one with a great deal of power and responsibility. You are there not just to lead men, but also to set the stage, spin a story. Why are marines doing this or that? Why are we deploying to this backwater colony in the first place? You gotta fill in those pieces.

Of course, RP being good and all, it is still good to try and have decent tactics. Direct squads to where you need them and encourage them to use all the tools they have to the fullest. A squad with direction is better than a squad that just wanders about aimlessly (although don't get too carried away, you can't control every single action a marine makes).

Really, to sum it up, I want commanders that COMMAND, and command with PASSION!

[NescauComToddy]

Generally, from experience, and after observing aspects that good commanders share within two years of playing, there is a precise resemblance in commanders considered memorable. They all have a quirk, something that characterizes them only and makes them different from others, such as Heinz and his accent, Bill Carson and cowardice and Katashi, paperu.

What makes the commander a competent one is the ability to be communicative and present in all possible channels, always updating the Marines with information and practically, being a staff officer of all squads + the Almayer staff, which is very demanding and tiring, however that makes him have a good reputation as commander. For example; marines rely much more unconsciously on a commander who directly introduces himself to his squad specifically than one who just makes an announcement by means of his console introducing himself to everyone.

Curiously, the role of commander and XO are in a way, very grounded in psychological characteristics, which someone with basic knowledge of this area can use to perform well. It is necessary to understand that briefing room orders, as long as they are not stupid, do not matter much, what matters is literally the commander's ability to certify that they will be applied and their presence in the operation of all marines. Commanders who are only present on the command channel do not go very far in terms of reputation nor compentence.

[carlarc]

briefing at 12:15, cargo will close at 12:12 to increase participation

this is how you inspire people my men

dont forget the 12:25 all-squad briefing while a survivor spams faxes screaming for help

basically what im saying here is that these things are annoying. you're ignoring what some people want or need in order for your dream Full Briefing so you can say 5 sentences in the megaphone even though everyone is tabbed out. dont do the this

[Griffith78]

briefing at 12:15, cargo will close at 12:12 to increase participation

this is how you inspire people my men

dont forget the 12:25 all-squad briefing while a survivor spams faxes screaming for help

basically what im saying here is that these things are annoying. you're ignoring what some people want or need in order for your dream Full Briefing so you can say 5 sentences in the megaphone even though everyone is tabbed out. dont do the this

Lmao yeah everyone freaks out when you close req for brief and overall I would say that it has a negative impact

[Dolth]

Just someone who actually takes time to discuss and establish the expected regular RP atmosphere around him.

Then secondly, someone who also has a sense of real tactic.

Ultimately, not being a theory fanatic with huge perfect plans that won't work as intended.

[LittleBlast]

One of my favorite things when playing as a CO is having an XO who covers my weaknesses for me. I know I am a heavy rp focused CO, so when I get an XO like you who can play with that while also being able to throw out actual quality orders it certainly makes my experience better. I know this is a thread about the commander, but from a commanders POV having LTs and an XO who aren't yes men and actually have a mind of their own is amazing. The relationship goes both ways.

Also that round yesterday with us and Honour at the start was fun as hell that was a good round.

[Exodus]

Copy-pasta Briefings are the true essence of the Commander. What separates the wheat from the chaff, the boys from the traps.

Err, men.

[BobatNight]

Ordered my CE to blow up ARES because he wouldn't play music.

10/10 would CO again

Sometimes it's fun to organize and try to win the fight, other times it's nice to dictate strategy to an XO or SO and take a more RP focused role that round.
Regardless of what you do someone is gonna be upset with you so just enjoy the round and try to make it enjoyable for others.

The essence of my CO rounds is a metal bat I have renamed to The BEating stick. Marines often join in executions when I wield this, a great way to build on the importance of teamwork before a mission.