In a command structure, superiors issue orders to subordinates, who are compelled to follow them. The supposition is that superiors have access to knowledge not available to everyone, and that their orders will fulfill some goal related to this knowledge.
Though there are no penalties imposed on Battlefield players who do not follow orders, there are plenty of incentives for players to follow through. The ability to issue and follow orders adds a layer of depth to Battlefield games not seen in many team-based FPSes. Players can test their leadership skills as a commander or squad leader, or join a squad and find how they can best support their teammates.
An objective is the target of an order.
Issuing orders in-game
In games featuring a command structure, squad leaders can issue the following commands:
- Attack
- Placed on enemy or neutral control points.
- Defend
- Placed on friendly control points.
- Move
- Placed outside of control points. In some games, players may not earn success points for a move order.
- Repair
- Placed on team-controlled strategic objects such as commander assets or bridges.
- Destroy
- Placed on enemy-controlled strategic objects.
Though control point ownership may change, players still earn success points for killing attackers at a friendly control point even if the Attack order is still active, for example.
Battlefield 1942 era
Though Battlefield 1942 and Battlefield Vietnam do not feature a command structure, players can still earn points by capturing a control point.
Battlefield 2 era
Battlefield 2 and Battlefield 2142 allow certain players to issue orders to others via the Commo rose or Map view. Kills and support actions performed near an objective earn Success Points for the squad leader. Support actions performed on squad mates also earn Squad Member Assist points for the player giving them. Commanders earn points only in relation to success points earned by players under their command.
- Attack objectives are represented by a sword icon.
- Defend objectives are represented by a shield icon.
- Move objectives are represented by a down arrow.
- Repair objectives are represented by a wrench icon.
Bad Company
Battlefield: Bad Company do not feature order issuing, but still provides players with bonus points related to objectives automatically set by the game mode, and to squad cohesion.
- Attack or Destroy objectives are represented by a red diamond.
- Defend objectives are represented by a blue square.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
In Battlefield: Bad Company 2 players can order squadmates to attack or defend an objective, receiving bonus points if their orders are followed. If a player obtains both an attack and defend order he is awarded with the Squad Member pin and 200 experience points.
Battlefield 3
The squad leader role returns to Battlefield 3. Squad leaders use the Spotting button on an objective's icon to issue an order. Scoring has been heavily revamped, providing much more incentive for players to achieve objectives other than merely killing the enemy. Any damage inflicted on an enemy near an objective provides bonus points, even if no other score is earned (kills, flag capture, etc.). Flag captures and M-COM station actions provide more points than before, making it possible for a player to outscore teammates without even harming enemies.
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