Search/Recent Changes
DBTropes
...it's like TV Tropes, but LINKED DATA!

Squad Controls

 Squad Controls
type
FeatureClass
 Squad Controls
label
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls
page
SquadControls
 Squad Controls
comment
A Video Game Interface Element that allows the player to issue a limited number of predefined orders to their AI teammates. The sine qua non of the squad-based Tactical Shooter genre, it shows up in plenty of other genres as well (particularly in games which make use of Manual Leader, A.I. Party). Sometimes, you'll be able to do this in an Escort Mission, which can make them a lot more bearable.
Common commands include:
Advertisement:propertag.cmd.push(function() { proper_display('tvtropes_mobile_ad_1'); }) Stay: Your squad is ordered to hold its position—useful if you want to scout out a new location without the whole team running into an ambush. May be called "Hold" or "Stand Ground".
Sic 'Em: Your squad is ordered to attack a particular enemy, go to a location, or interact with an object; "Attack" or "Target".
Heel: Your squad is ordered to follow you. Usually their default action, so this is more of a "cancel previous orders" command; "Follow" or "Defensive Stance".
Off You Go, Boy! Your squad is released to do whatever they usually would—another "cancel" command; "Advance" or "Aggressive Stance".
Sit/Stand/Lie Down: Some games give you control over your teammates' Crouch and Prone stance, if they don't just copy your current stance.
Fetch: Games with objectives can allow the player to tell teammates to perform actions for them instead of having to physically go to the location. Usually more common in Co-Op Multiplayer games with AI bots.
Advertisement:propertag.cmd.push(function() { proper_display('tvtropes_mobile_ad_2'); })(If your squad behaves particularly well, we recommend rewarding them with a tasty treat, available from Trope Co.. Particularly egregious instances of Artificial Stupidity should be corrected with a clear "NO" and a sharp smack on the nose with a rifle butt.)
Not included in this trope definition are games where the player can assume direct control over NPC party members in the same manner as they micromanage their own Player Character, which is popular with Western RPGs. Related to Easy Communication.
 Squad Controls
fetched
2022-04-09T06:26:03Z
 Squad Controls
parsed
2022-04-09T06:26:04Z
 Squad Controls
processingComment
Dropped link to BerserkButton: Not an Item - FEATURE
 Squad Controls
processingComment
Dropped link to SportsGame: Not an Item - IGNORE
 Squad Controls
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Squad Controls / int_10ce7e50
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_10ce7e50
comment
In Hidden & Dangerous, "Real Time Commands" let you direct nearby soldiers to follow you around, stay where they are, move out of your line of fire, etc.
 Squad Controls / int_10ce7e50
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_10ce7e50
featureConfidence
1.0
 Hidden & Dangerous (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_10ce7e50
 Squad Controls / int_14d341dc
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_14d341dc
comment
Star Trek Online has this function in ground scenarios, where you can command your away team. Hold position, attack your target, and "passive mode", which can all be assigned to the group or to individual officers.
 Squad Controls / int_14d341dc
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_14d341dc
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Trek Online (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_14d341dc
 Squad Controls / int_265fb4f1
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_265fb4f1
comment
Hyrule Warriors (including Age of Calamity) allows you to send your AI-controlled heroes to various parts of a mission map. This is especially useful in missions with mutliple target objectives, as you can switch control between heroes at your leisure.
 Squad Controls / int_265fb4f1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_265fb4f1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Hyrule Warriors (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_265fb4f1
 Squad Controls / int_26a33287
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_26a33287
comment
The Mount & Blade games use a system like the one described to allow the player character to control their warband. The player can even give different groups of soldiers different orders — which is handy, as the "squad" can range in size from just a few guys up to well over a hundred soldiers.
 Squad Controls / int_26a33287
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_26a33287
featureConfidence
1.0
 Mount & Blade (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_26a33287
 Squad Controls / int_2d644371
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_2d644371
comment
Tales Series games allow you to give each character orders on what to do, but sometimes they'll just do whatever, depending on the game.
 Squad Controls / int_2d644371
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_2d644371
featureConfidence
1.0
 Tales Series (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_2d644371
 Squad Controls / int_2ffcbd43
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_2ffcbd43
comment
The Fire Emblem games set in Tellius like Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance allow the team leader to give some basic orders to the other playable characters (In case you don't feel like moving them manually) and to the allied yellow units (useful if they have to survive, just send them to a square away from enemies).
 Squad Controls / int_2ffcbd43
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_2ffcbd43
featureConfidence
1.0
 FireEmblem
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_2ffcbd43
 Squad Controls / int_310b3174
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_310b3174
comment
The Operation Flashpoint campaign has an AI character give out squad orders, in reaction to enemies and events. Once Armstrong gets promoted to Lieutenant, he gets access to them as he leads his squad. These commands let you order other soldiers to do practically anything, even placing a satchel charge for detonation.
 Squad Controls / int_310b3174
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_310b3174
featureConfidence
1.0
 Operation Flashpoint (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_310b3174
 Squad Controls / int_33dd1d90
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_33dd1d90
comment
Half-Life 2, when you're accompanied by resistance fighters. The antlions have something similar, but limited to "heel" and "fetch", in that they are attracted to an item you can throw at targets. But, there is no "Stay" order.
 Squad Controls / int_33dd1d90
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_33dd1d90
featureConfidence
1.0
 Half-Life 2 (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_33dd1d90
 Squad Controls / int_4e5a4630
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_4e5a4630
comment
Star Wars: Republic Commando has four common commands: "Secure Area" (Stay), "Form Up" (Heel, i.e. "follow me closely"), "Cancel Maneuver" (abandon current specialized task, see below, and return to previous order), and "Search and Destroy" (self-explanatory). Additionally, there is a number of context sensitive commands triggered by the same button, depending on what you're targeting right now: focus fire on a particular enemy (Sic 'Em), take a specialized defensive position (sniper, grenadier, or anti-armor), man a turret, place a shaped charge on a door, slice a terminal, use a bacta station, place or disarm a landmine, or resuscitate a fallen squad member. Finally, if the Player Character goes down, you have the option either to recall the squad to revive him or to have them carry out current orders and revive him once the coast is clear again.
 Squad Controls / int_4e5a4630
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_4e5a4630
featureConfidence
1.0
 Star Wars: Republic Commando (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_4e5a4630
 Squad Controls / int_53cac49a
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_53cac49a
comment
Freedom Fighters (2003), a 2003 third-person shooter, might have been the Trope Codifier.
 Squad Controls / int_53cac49a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_53cac49a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Freedom Fighters (2003) (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_53cac49a
 Squad Controls / int_5bfa9c98
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_5bfa9c98
comment
In Warframe, player-deployed spectres and syndicate agents can be instructed to hold position or to follow you by pressing the context button in their vicinity.
 Squad Controls / int_5bfa9c98
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_5bfa9c98
featureConfidence
1.0
 Warframe (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_5bfa9c98
 Squad Controls / int_5e4ba6dc
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_5e4ba6dc
comment
Overlord has the commands Sweep (the whole cluster of minions follows your cursor, smashing, killing or looting anything they find along the way), Send (minions charge either straight ahead or towards a selected target, again smashing, killing and looting) and Return. These commands can be used for anything from a single minion to the whole horde.
 Squad Controls / int_5e4ba6dc
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_5e4ba6dc
featureConfidence
1.0
 Overlord (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_5e4ba6dc
 Squad Controls / int_6e64d42d
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_6e64d42d
comment
Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. has a simple system where your wingmen can be set to offensive or defensive mode.
On offensive mode, they attack the selected target first then autonomously hunt the map for enemies. If there are no enemies anywhere, they slowly circle at a comfortable altitude until someone to shoot comes onto the map.
On defensive, they follow you around and generally stay out of the way until someone tries to get a radar lock on you or an AA gun starts firing in your general direction, at which point they instantly start chasing the offender. Which means that yes, the AI is smart enough to do Wild Weasel tactics with you as the bait.
 Squad Controls / int_6e64d42d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_6e64d42d
featureConfidence
1.0
 H.A.W.X. (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_6e64d42d
 Squad Controls / int_74a4c704
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_74a4c704
comment
Kingdom Hearts uses the Triangle button to call your allies onto the same target.
 Squad Controls / int_74a4c704
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_74a4c704
featureConfidence
1.0
 Kingdom Hearts (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_74a4c704
 Squad Controls / int_7988cb68
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_7988cb68
comment
Mass Effect includes very simple squad controls (hold, advance, and heel) on the Ring Menu: the Q and E keys ordered one of your two squadmates either to move in the direction Shepard is pointing or to attack a selected enemy, possibly with a special ability.
 Squad Controls / int_7988cb68
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_7988cb68
featureConfidence
1.0
 Mass Effect (Franchise)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_7988cb68
 Squad Controls / int_7f707367
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_7f707367
comment
The Freespace series has a relatively sophisticated example, with Alpha 1 being authorized to send wingmates to attack or protect specific targets or subsystems, attack at will, form up, or return to base. Curiously, transport ships can receive orders to dock with large vessels, though this capability was never used in either game - though it's put to good use in some custom campaigns, such as the rescue mission in Bem Cavalgar.
 Squad Controls / int_7f707367
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_7f707367
featureConfidence
1.0
 FreeSpace (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_7f707367
 Squad Controls / int_83d81bd4
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_83d81bd4
comment
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, and Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation give you control over your wingmen. Seeing how the game is about aerial combat, your options are usually "Concentrate Fire", "Disperse and Engage", and "Cover Me". You can also toggle permission to use special weapons. However, in AC6, the controls were simplified compared to ACZ and this feature seems to have been abandoned completely in later Ace Combat games (where the wingmen are completely AI-controlled).
 Squad Controls / int_83d81bd4
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_83d81bd4
featureConfidence
1.0
 Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_83d81bd4
 Squad Controls / int_9ca0210f
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_9ca0210f
comment
The Warriors has you in control of a gang whom you can issue various commands to. You can order them to follow you, stay behind, hide in the darkness, destroy the surroundings, attack all foes, or have your gang watch your back.
 Squad Controls / int_9ca0210f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_9ca0210f
featureConfidence
1.0
 The Warriors (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_9ca0210f
 Squad Controls / int_a4ae80d6
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_a4ae80d6
comment
Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee. The sequel, Abe's Exoddus, expands this with puzzles that require you to mind control fauna and enemies and control their respective squads.
 Squad Controls / int_a4ae80d6
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_a4ae80d6
featureConfidence
1.0
 Oddworld (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_a4ae80d6
 Squad Controls / int_afe9a7b3
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_afe9a7b3
comment
Day of Defeat (World War II-themed Half-Life mod) has pre-set communication with one's team—both vocal and Hand Signals supported in player model animations. What made Sturmbot one of the best bots (once you have waypoints) is that these guys understood every command and acted on them with adjustable probability.
 Squad Controls / int_afe9a7b3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_afe9a7b3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Day of Defeat (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_afe9a7b3
 Squad Controls / int_b3ebd61e
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_b3ebd61e
comment
The Rogue Squadron sequels, Rogue Leader and Rebel Strike, give you two wingmen controlled with the D-pad. The Up command is always "form up" on either side of you; side commands send them off to attack, sometimes with Left and Right providing a choice of targets. Down is "Flee" in case you want a Self-Imposed Challenge or to minimize friendly losses for medal requirements, though this is rarely needed because your wingmen can typically handle themselves and most friendly losses come from escort targets, who you obviously cannot order to flee.
 Squad Controls / int_b3ebd61e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_b3ebd61e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Rogue Squadron (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_b3ebd61e
 Squad Controls / int_c19c6efa
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_c19c6efa
comment
Dogs and cats in Minecraft can be instructed to sit so that they will not follow you around. Dogs that follow you will additionally attack any mob that you are attacking.
 Squad Controls / int_c19c6efa
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_c19c6efa
featureConfidence
1.0
 Minecraft (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_c19c6efa
 Squad Controls / int_c63088d7
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_c63088d7
comment
The Gundam Vs Series has a dedicated Command button used to order the AI around in single-player matches. The commands include Normal, Focus (target the same enemy as the player), Spread (target a different enemy), Assault (all-out attack) and Hide (total defense); if two humans fight each other, it's considered good etiquette to set your partner to Hide and make it a true 1-on-1. In matches without AI the button is used for communication (using preset phrases like "I'll back you up!", "I'm in trouble!", or "Good game!").
 Squad Controls / int_c63088d7
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_c63088d7
featureConfidence
1.0
 Gundam Vs Series (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_c63088d7
 Squad Controls / int_c9c1bb4c
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_c9c1bb4c
comment
In Evolva, you can tell the Genohunters to go a certain place, hold, follow you again, pick up an item or attack a certain target.
 Squad Controls / int_c9c1bb4c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_c9c1bb4c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Evolva (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_c9c1bb4c
 Squad Controls / int_cfb3439a
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_cfb3439a
comment
Brütal Legend, lacking the traditional bird's eye view of Strategy Games, uses this to give orders to allied squads during Stage Battles.
 Squad Controls / int_cfb3439a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_cfb3439a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Brütal Legend (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_cfb3439a
 Squad Controls / int_d57a438d
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_d57a438d
comment
Odama.
 Squad Controls / int_d57a438d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_d57a438d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Odama (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_d57a438d
 Squad Controls / int_d989073e
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_d989073e
comment
In Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII, you have the ability to make your team do things such as repair your plane or fly ahead to attack the enemies.
 Squad Controls / int_d989073e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_d989073e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Blazing Angels (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_d989073e
 Squad Controls / int_dbce0953
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_dbce0953
comment
Pikmin is built around this trope. The plot follows Captain Olimar (later games include other characters) being stranded on a planet (implied to be Earth itself) trying to achieve his objectives using small aliens in a world filled with all kinds of dangerous creatures and Eldritch Abominations. The main gameplay is about ordering these animal/plant hybrids to attack enemies, get items, build things and even commit suicide.
 Squad Controls / int_dbce0953
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_dbce0953
featureConfidence
1.0
 Pikmin (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_dbce0953
 Squad Controls / int_deaae920
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_deaae920
comment
Dungeon Crawl: Any allies you have can be given simple commands with the Talk button, like 'follow me', 'wait here', 'attack target', etc.
You can also control what kinds of items your intelligent allies will pick up, like whether you want them to pick up anything they find or just the stuff that you drop (mindless allies like the undead still won't pick up anything).
 Squad Controls / int_deaae920
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_deaae920
featureConfidence
1.0
 Dungeon Crawl (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_deaae920
 Squad Controls / int_e22c949c
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_e22c949c
comment
The Dragon Quest games usually allow to give general commands to your other party members if you don't feel like giving them all commands, even if the main character isn't on the frontline (which helps with grinding). One stance focuses on healing, one on keeping the MC alive, one on killing the enemy as fast as possible with no regard to MP, etc.
 Squad Controls / int_e22c949c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_e22c949c
featureConfidence
1.0
 DragonQuest
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_e22c949c
 Squad Controls / int_e9cb2780
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_e9cb2780
comment
Gears of War has your basic Hold and Advance controls.
 Squad Controls / int_e9cb2780
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_e9cb2780
featureConfidence
1.0
 Gears of War (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_e9cb2780
 Squad Controls / int_f189f12e
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_f189f12e
comment
Vega Strike have basic commands for the flightgroup, since there are both hired guns and extra ships one can purchase, carry and launch.
 Squad Controls / int_f189f12e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_f189f12e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Vega Strike (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_f189f12e
 Squad Controls / int_f8f51b13
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_f8f51b13
comment
Unreal Tournament doesn't formally have squads, but you can give orders your bots to handle common tasks (e.g. attack, assist you, defend, etc.)
 Squad Controls / int_f8f51b13
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_f8f51b13
featureConfidence
1.0
 Unreal Tournament (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_f8f51b13
 Squad Controls / int_fa5e90fd
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_fa5e90fd
comment
City of Heroes has this for the Mastermind class so they can control their pets. The player can set both the stance (aggressive, defensive, passive) and the specific command (follow, attack, go to, stay). Any damage the Mastermind takes is split among the Mastermind and any nearby pets that are in Defensive-Follow (specifically known as "Body Guard Mode"). With their full array of minions acting as bodyguards, a Mastermind can act as a surprisingly effective tank, especially if they are able to heal themselves and their minions to keep the effect going. The downside is that AoE attacks end up hitting the minions even harder (as they take normal damage, plus their share of the master's).
 Squad Controls / int_fa5e90fd
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_fa5e90fd
featureConfidence
1.0
 City of Heroes (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_fa5e90fd
 Squad Controls / int_ff0f1797
type
Squad Controls
 Squad Controls / int_ff0f1797
comment
Rogue Galaxy allows you to set one of four "Team Commands" in battle ("fight separately", "pick same target", "go all out", and "step back") when you weren't confirming ally suggestions or issuing orders from the combat menu yourself.
 Squad Controls / int_ff0f1797
featureApplicability
1.0
 Squad Controls / int_ff0f1797
featureConfidence
1.0
 Rogue Galaxy (Video Game)
hasFeature
Squad Controls / int_ff0f1797

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Squad Controls
processingCategory2
Player Party
 God Eater (Franchise) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Ace Combat (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Alien Blackout (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Brutal Doom (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Brütal Legend (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 City of Heroes (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Dungeon Crawl (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Entropy : Zero 2 (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Freedom Fighters (2003) (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Gears of War (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 God Eater (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Guardians of the Galaxy (2021) (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Half-Life 2 (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Hidden & Dangerous (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Kingdom Hearts (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Mass Effect (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Mount & Blade (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Odama (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Oddworld (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Overlord (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Rogue Squadron (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Spec Ops: The Line (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Star Ocean (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Star Wars: Republic Commando (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Tales Series (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 Vega Strike (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls
 H.A.W.X. (Video Game) / int_f903ab4b
type
Squad Controls