Intelligence

Never go into battle unprepared. To not know who your enemy is gives your enemy an edge. The enemy can surprise you with tactics and strategies you have never seen or heard about.

Sometimes you will read in a comment on a a clan �Well, and everytime they attacked with three soldiers at the same time, and then our defences.....� If you are about to fight this clan, you just received an important piece of information, for if this clan has a history of such attacks, you can prepare for it and decide upon certain defensive

strategies to counter this. During the American Civil War newspapers from the Southern Sates were very well read in the North. U.S. Grant himself stated that he had only learnt of the amount of success a raid had by reading it in a Southern Newspaper. One of the reasons why Wellington beat Napoleon was because he had noticed that in every battle Napoleon had done the same: order a massive attack over the centre. Wellington knew this, not because they had practiced a lot, but because he had the information.

Intelligence is the best way of predicting the performance of the enemy. Many clans go into battle without any idea of their opponents. Do not be surprised when they are defeated. Before throwing down the gauntlet, check out the information on them: which, most of the time, is readily available.

The best option is to appoint an intelligence officer who with one or two operatives goes out to check out the enemy and returns to brief the team. Why not all of your team? Unfortunately, people tend to get mixed up info on the enemy when 10 to 20 people claim to have seen the enemy and know him. Furthermore, you might get confused on who is doing what.

1.Observe your enemy. Find their webpage and get data on your enemy. Find the various players, use the Gamespy possibilities to identify playing enemy troopers and join the game. When joining a game, join on the enemy side, and observe their play behaviour. Most players will play in their "normal" way, so if you observed the player correctly, you know what class he will take and how he will play. Also listen in on them when using IRC. What behaviour do they display? are they careful or agressive?

2.Use covert methods. If you are observing an enemy, do not use your clan-name. People will remember, and they will get suspicious. Again, this is a task for the Intelligence officer. He/She and no other should get official dispensation of the team-leader to discard the clan name. Also, a team leader should remember that a team is formed on the basis of voluntary loyalty and trust. This is said to prevent team leaders getting the idea of spying on their own people. If your team members find out, they will be gone faster then you care to experience. Its TeamFortress, not �how-do-I-create-a-police-state�

3.Share your information with your team members. On the basis of the various observations a standard profile should be built stating: preferred class, offensive/defensive behaviour, specific behaviour with regard to offence/defense, rocketjumping abilities, reaction to assaults, and as much items as possible. Let all players of your clan do this and you will discover that you hold a detailed profile of the enemy in your hands.

Example:

Clan: ExAmPlE

Player: XXX

Preferred class: Soldier

Personal:Changes clans often. Has only recently joined Clan ExAmPlE

Offensive strength:Is good in strafe and shoot, can jump a bit. Too bold, will run into hopeless positions. Gets killed quickly.

Defensive strength:Stands still, easily targeted. However, will move quickly and fire accurately if threat is discovered. Difficult to overcome

Overall: Average Player, can be dealt with.

4. Store your profiles at a confidential location, and give them only to your team on a need to know basis. Do not hand them out to everyone. Some people tend to talk more then think, and you might end up with a warned enemy

5. Trade with your allies. If you have an allied clan, ask them to do similar activities. Exchange profiles. What you will find is that if three clans get together you will start to have a profile database of virtually every clan in existence. (However, do not forget, also to keep a profile on your allies).

6. Analyse the information. Analyse the profiles: Who will be defending? What is their strength/weakness. Where will they attack? This will make your team prepared for anything. Remember: humans are animals of habit, they will revert to their favourite behaviour when you give them the chance. A sniper with a favourite spot in one map in one match will probably do this the next time as well.Expect similar activities from the enemy. As stated, do never underestimate the enemy! They will be after your information. So take precautions!