Multiplayer forms | Character and character development PlanetSide 2 Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
In PlanetSide 2 there are several different forms of association, available for players. These are available from the Social tab. There are forms like Squad, Platoon and Outfit (the clan, in other words). Squads and platoons are a temporary form of associating players. When it comes to outfits, however, they are subject to the form of clans that may consist of an unlimited number of players.
Squads and platoons
To create a new squad, you need to dispatch an invitation to any member of your faction. If it is accepted, this will create a two-member party, where the limit is 12 members. The player that sets it up, becomes the leader automatically, who will be able to command the entire group. Thanks to his entitlement, he can also create a platoon, i.e. a group of up to four squads. This is possible thanks to the option to group players, and more precisely to allot them to the individual squads. For example, if you have a twelve-player squad, you can create three additional groups and allot one player, from the initial squad. Then, there will be nine players remaining in the original squad and there will be three more, each of one player - the automatic leader of that group. As you increase your troops in size, you will, ultimately, be able to form a platoon of four squads, with one leader and 11 regulars in each. 48 in total. What is interesting, the player that starts the entire group, will not only perform the function of the leader of a single squad (which can be renounced in favor of someone else), but also of the entire platoon. In the case in which the leader of the platoon exits the group, then the function is transferred to the player who was appointed the leader of a single squad, as the first one. In the structure of the squad itself, in the case in which the leader leaves, the control of the squad is assigned to the member that joined the squad directly after him. Of course, taking over of the leadership, over the individual structures, may be carried out by means of appointment. What is important - exiting the game equals leaving the squad/platoon so, as soon as all of the members of the structure log out of the server, the entire group ceases to exit.
Outfits
Outfit is a permanent group of players, which has no limits on the number of its members. This is, in no way, connected with the squad or the platoon but, it definitely makes it easier to form them. Clans, which have for example, around fifty members, can as a matter of fact organize into platoons and operate effectively during the game. Outfit does not cease to exist after all of the clan member leave the server but, it disappears after there is no single player left in this formation.
The most important ability of the leader
Squad leaders and platoon leaders have access to all sorts of abilities, which are useful for the entire formation. Below, the most important ones have be:
Spawn Beacon this is the option of placing a special box-formed device out in the open (does not work indoors), which emits a spire of light colored after the faction. This allows the members of the faction to land nearby, in special landing pods. The entire maneuver is identical as in the case of the Instant Action option. To use it, you first need to purchase it, in the appropriate tab of the shop, i.e. in the Squad Leader Certs. It can be used in the continent window, after you click on the appropriate symbol on the map. Its duration depends on the current level of that ability. What is important, the box itself, if deployed in the territory, can be destroyed by the enemy forces.
Waypoint is a special marker, which can be placed on the main map, thanks to which it can be seen also on the quick map. As a matter of fact, it comes in three types. The first one takes on the personal form and it is visible only to you. It can be used by any player, even if he does not belong to any group. The remain two concern people in a given squad and in a given platoon, respectively and they can be placed by the leaders. They are, most usually, placed in the key locations that are the destination for the entire squad/platoon.
Squad Deploy is an ability that concerns squad leaders only. It is passive in its character, i.e. it works regardless of the leader's actions. The operation of this ability is that any squad member may use the continent panel to travel to the location in which the leader is currently staying. This happens after the appropriate icon, on the left side of the menu, is clicked.