@Merc

This article explains why a squad consisting of just mercenaries is considered a foolish idea.

Hey, I've got a great idea! Let's give all the players that aren't in squads an @Merc tag! Here are some of the possible benefits!

1. If two squads played against each other, and one side had less players, then @Mercs could make up the difference. It would be just like hiring mercenaries for a conflict!
2. It would allow players who don't have time to join a squad to join in on squad game-like events.
3. Skilled players who aren't currently in squads would be noticed by recruitment officers because they're sporting a stylish @Merc tag.

Let us explain why these 'benefits' can be ignored.

1. One of the reasons players enjoy squad games is because of the teamwork involved. They're used to playing with each other and complement each others' skills quite well. You go and throw an unknown player in there, who isn't used to working as part of the group, just to make up numbers and you instantly put the team at a disadvantage.
   To put it another way, squad games are for squads, not squad+friends.
2. Very few squads care how active their members are or are not. You can join a squad and still be welcomed and treated with camaraderie even if you can't make any squad games.
3. Recruitment officers are not that lax. They keep an eye on everyone who is good enough to be a potential recruit - they don't need> a tag to show them who to keep an eye on.

But let's say you still want an @Merc group, possibly for reasons not covered here. Okay, there are four ways you can do this - three of which won't work.

Scenario One. Lax entry requirements

You let anyone join. The idea here is to "include" everyone who has been "left out".

What is the point? You want a squad tag to announce that you're NOT IN A SQUAD.

Scenario Two. Moderate entry requirements

You let anyone who has completed Cadet to join.

It's pretty simple to see why this won't work. Consider a player who has just completed Cadet. Then either:

1. He was good, and gets into a squad. Thus, he won't go into @Merc
2. He was good, and decides against squads. Thus, he also won't join @Merc
3. He was bad, and noone wanted him. He joins @Merc and soon @Merc is known as the squad for all the bad cadets no one else wanted.

Scenario Three. Strict entry requirements

You have a panel of experts deciding when an unsquadded player are committed to Allegiance strongly enough to be admitted into the hallowed halls of @Merc.

At this point it is indistinguishable from a regular squad - which defeats the basis of 'for players that aren't in squads'.

Scenario Four. The Unsquad

You could make your own squad that coincidentally is called @Merc, and which has the policy of: lax entry requirements, never plays squad games, and encourages other squads to poach your players.

• Other squads will be unlikely to let @Merc's join in their games (point # 2 of the introduction).
• You will have to meet the four criteria of squad creation.
• You will also have problems if your squad leader gets poached by another squad.
• It will be ... interesting to see what kind of reputation your squad gets among the community.

Related articles

• Mercenaries

Forum board discussions

• The Left Out Squad - May 2008
• Setting up a functional @Merc - September 2007
• @Mercs - August 2006

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