Cadet II/Squads

Squads

Congratulations Cadet. By now you have learned not to fly straight into a rock, as well how to shoot your guns without killing yourself. As your cadet training draws to a close, it is time to step back and decide what kind of future you want to have in Allegiance.

You can just relax and join pickup games (PUGs) or you can put in more effort and join a squad. Now, there are several things you need to know about squads and squad games (SGs). PUGs and SGs have often been compared to playing a pickup football game at the park and a pro-football game. And that comparison holds water. SGs are nothing like PUGs. The level of coordination and response speed is totally different, as is the skill of the players involved. If in PUGs you have the chance to see the worst Allegiance has to offer, then in SGs you certainly have the chance to experience the best.

But what is a squad?

Squads are just loose groups of players who like to play together. If you are in a squad you have only one real obligation.. to play one or more SGs (which can be official league games, or just friendly matches) every weekend, sharing victory or defeat with your team mates. Some squads organize training before those games as well. Obligation might be too strong of a word.. the average age in Allegiance is pretty high and we all have RL stuff to attend to, so if you happen to miss one or several SGs, nobody is going to complain.. in fact showing 50% of the squads rooster in a game is considered a pretty good turnout.

How do you enter a squad?

You have taken the first step by going through CDT training. There are talent scouts watching for new recruits and if you do well enough you'll probably be approached by one or more of them. We encourage that you also contact the squad's recruiting officer, after all, fortune favours the bold... but be aware that some squads are pretty selective in terms of pilots. Allegiance might be just a game but most squads take squadgames seriously. if you don't plan to play hard, trying to improve your skills or can't handle a defeat, then squad play probably isn't for you.

I didn't get an invite, now what?

Apply. If no squads take you, consider asking why they didn't take you and maybe even ask for some training. A lot of the time squads don't offer invites because they haven't seen enough rather than seeing a lot of stuff they don't like. Keep in mind that squad play is highly competitive, and everyone is always gunning for the squad on top. That means everyone is looking for the best of the best, and you might need to get just a bit better. Worst case scenario, figure out what you need to improve on (if you're uncomfortable asking why you were rejected, you can always talk to a cadet instructor) and retake cadet, focusing on the areas of your game that are lacking. There is no limit to the number of times you can take cadet, just like there is no limit to how good you can get.

How do I improve my gameplay to be 'good enough'?

Allegiance is a thinking man's game. As long as you focus on reading the chat and doing what the commander tells you to do, you will be a welcome addition to any pick up team. Being "good" isn't a matter of having the best aim, there will always be someone better, nor is it a matter of being able to dodge, there will always be someone quicker. Being "good" is about being a team player, and this is never any more apparent than at the squad level.

Remember: Allegiance is a small community with a low tolerance for idiots. Squadded players might come through as elitist and aloof, but most of them are good players that will be happy to give you some pointers or advanced training. All you have to do is ask.