# Communication

## This section by: Ender, Gentle Nova, and Bounty Hunter

> Effective teamplay is impossible without frequent communication. This section will teach you when you should talk, what you should say, and how you should say it. Remember: a team that acts a unified whole will always outperform a disorganized foe.

> There is one rule that every player should always keep in mind; without it, all the tips in this section are absolutely worthless. That rule is simple: pay attention! Don't be one of those players that ignore the messages that their teammates send them. That's a good way to end up dead. If your teammates inform you that the base has been taken, pay attention! It's time to rally round the base and take it back. On the other hand, if you've got the flag now is probably a good time to go into hiding.

> What and When

> Deployment: It's a good idea to start each level by clarifying what goals each team member will pursue. Deciding who on your team is playing defense and who is playing offense at the beginning of the game can save your team from getting off to a bad start. Don't go rushing out of the base and expect someone else to stay behind and guard; if everyone does that, your flag will be easy pickings. Make sure that you've got enough people on both offense and defense before splitting up.

> Defense: The status of your base is absolutely crucial. Everyone on your team should always know the status of the flag and the security level of the base. Translation: if the base gets taken, let your teammates know! There is nothing more frustrating then waltzing confidently into your base carrying the enemy flag and getting blown into lots of steaming giblets when it could have easily been avoided. There are many other events worthy of a quick update. For example:

> - you happen upon the hiding place of the enemy flag-carrier
> - you are guarding perimeter and are destroyed by an incoming enemy or enemies
> - you spot an incoming enemy with the pentagram or quad damage
> - you find your flag but are prevented from recovering

> Support: A little communication can ensure that your team monopolizes the "good stuff" on the map. Try these:

> - If you find a rune and you already have one, make sure your team knows where it is.
> - If you discover yourself loaded up on rockets, swing by home base and check if anyone there needs some rockets.
> - If you discover that a quad damage or pentagram has respawned but you can't use it yourself, let your team know. Keep these out of the hands of your enemies!

> Offense: In most teams, the offensive unit has by far the weakest communication. This is not surprising, as they are most often in the field and in the thick of things. However, effective communication can vastly improve your chances of nabbing the enemy flag. For example:

> - Communicate with your fellow offensive players and organize a group assault. Set a meeting place, and as soon as enough have gathered move out.
> - Be sneaky and organized. Your chances of capturing are much better if everyone is acting under the same game plan.
> - If you get fragged in the enemy base, don't immediately respawn and try again. Remember, in Quake dead men can tell tales. Look around and try to take a head count of the defenders, locate any snipers, etc. If you're especially ambitious, you can even organize an entire attack this way, with the 'spy' giving the signal to attack when the enemy has their pants down.

> Banter/Encouragement: It's important to let your teammates know when they are doing a good job. A base guard, for example, is a lot more likely to hang around if his team keeps letting him know that they appreciate what he's doing. I like a simple "High-five!" when someone makes a great play. A little teammate feedback really adds to the game and makes for a cohesive team.

> Acknowledge enemies: The flipside of the above. Does John-Doe on the Red team blow you away with one shot every time you enter his base? Then he's a good player -- letting him know that you're impressed takes only a second and contributes to his enjoyment of the game. All it takes is a simple "Dammit! I'm gonna get you next time, John!" or the likes. It's not a good idea to seriously insult members of the enemy team -- remember, they might be on your team next time.

> ## How

> Keep it private: Broadcasting things like "Ready to attack" or "Going for the flag" over public channels sorta tends to tip-off the enemy. You'll want to keep most of your communications on restricted channels that reach your team alone. There are two ways to accomplish this. The first is to use messagemode2. You should always have a key bound to this command. Messagemode2 works just like the normal talk command: it brings up a prompt for you to type in a message to your teammates.

> Your second tool for private communications is say_team. This command is used to bind pre-written messages to keys. For example, try this console command:

> > bind p "say_team Alert! Base has been taken!".

> Now when you press 'p' in the game, you will say "Alert! Base has been taken!" on your team's private channel of communications.

> Make it quick and simple: Just about the last thing you want to do in a combat situation is stand perfectly still for a long time while you type in a message. Communication is important, but keeping your messages as brief as possible will vastly improve your chances of making it to retirement.

> Communication can be accomplished in various different ways. A signal to move out could be as simple as jumping up in the air instead of typing out the words "move out". Most communications near an enemy base should be done via binding common messages to your keys. That way you won't be surprised by enemy forces in the middle of relaying information to your other teammates. If more than one unit of soldiers is in operations, you can just bind unit names to keys as well (i.e. BIND E "SAY_TEAM ALPHA TEAM:" ). When you want to give a command, just press the unit name key first and then the command key quickly afterwards to get the desired effect. An example of an output would be as follows.

> ALPHA TEAM:
> ATTACK

> Here are a few sample "sayings" you can bind to keys which are useful in an offensive situation.

> HOLD POSITION
> ADVANCE
> ENEMY SPOTTED AHEAD
> ATTACK

> Similarly, the following are especially useful in a defensive situation.

> INCOMING
> INCOMING 666
> INCOMING QUAD
> REINFORCEMENTS TO BASE!
> BASE TAKEN!
> BASE SECURE