Competitive Squad Spotlight: Bandits

Hello TG, 

To start off this new series "  "Competitive Squad Spotlight"  We are talking to the BGC  " TG Traumatosis" about the Bandits CT squad in World Of Tanks 1st Battalion

Tactical Gaming has a long tradition where CT squads were seen as the elite, a squad that have proven to be the best of the best among their peers, dedicated, skilled and Ultra-Competitive.  The countless hours spent grinding and practicing the game to the point where they have reached top 10% of their Competition.  This hard work and level of skill is no easy achievement and the status of CT squad is awarded to those who put in 110% everytime in order to achieve the right of Competitive Squad.

Before we get to Trauma,  A few Words from the Commanding officer, Dhmoose to introduce and express his views on having a CP within his Division and battalion

From a division /Battalion point of view, what does it mean to have a CP squad now.

Having a CP squad legitimizes a Division.  With a CP squad, you have more options for players, which equals more fun.  Most importantly, having a CP squad means that your Division is expected to compete for TG the TG way...that's a huge responsibility!

Does having one encourage more to compete?

From my experience, yes and no.  I've seen it push some away from competing and I've seen it encourage members to get better and compete more...it all depends on who is competing, how many are competing and what they are competing in.  In addition, how effective the Division's CoC is at maintaining stability within their organization, the amount of discipline instilled upon their subordinates and how they handle the drama that can come with having a CP squad influences things.

What are your thoughts on CP squads and how important they are? 

In the grand scheme of things...CP squads are very important...it's how TG shows the world our competitive prowess.  As for my thoughts on CP squads...they are equivalent to an extremely sharp double-edged sword.  With the right leadership, personnel, tactics and a bit of luck, your CP squad can excel at cutting through anything.  But if you don't have the right people in place, poor leadership, bad tactics and no luck, you'll get cut and it will leave a mark.      

NT: So first off, congrats on getting CP status?  How does that make your team feel?

TG Traumatosis Getting CP status feels really good.  The guys are getting the recognition that they have earned through hard work and dedication to this competition team and this division.

NT: When did you decide to really push Competition inside of your battalion?

TG Traumatosis Competition was never really pushed to our guys in the battalion.  If you wanted to join the competition team, you were more than welcome.  Once you got in however, we started to push our guys to make sure that they were on their A Game during battle and practice.

NT: What was the lead up to becoming a CP squad like, how hard did you train,  how often?

TG Traumatosis Before and during Global Tank League, we were practicing 3-4 times a week. The squad was working to be the best team within our league, pushing guys even when they became frustrated or tired of playing, but we got results.   Sunday and Wednesday we ran pubs for 1 hour to get the guys warmed up for practice, then we would run practice in Team Training for 1 hour.   Tuesday and Thursday were usually days to either spend 2 hours in Team Training or find other teams to scrimmage with to make sure our plans were working, our communication with one another were the best they could be, and we were doing  what we needed to ensure victory.

NT: As CP squad staff, what strategies, leadership and teamwork have been implemented compared to leading a ST squad?

TG Traumatosis As a former ST Squad Leader, running a CP Squad is a whole different ballgame.  Other teams who are in the competition scene within World of Tanks are on the top of their game and most teams know what they are doing when it comes time to go into battle.  Compared to playing Public games where you have your squad and 10 other teammates to rely on and you just do whatever.  In Competition matches, you have 8 of your guys to rely on and that's it.  You want your team to be working with everyone to ensure you pick up the victory.  We implemented a " Battle Buddy System"  which we match guys up based on what role they are going to play, what tank they are in, and who works with who the best.  

NT: Can you describe your first competition as a squad was like?

TG Traumatosis When I first joined back in 2017, it was rough. The major problem that was coming up was the lack of a variety of tanks between the guys that we needed to run. But as the years went on, things got a lot better and guys were able to get the tanks that were being played in comp, and guys were playing tanks that fit their play style.  The current group we have now has been top notch, but we are always striving to do better.

NT: Can you provide a rundown of your squads weekly training schedule? what its like, how intensive is it?

TG Traumatosis Sunday and Wednesday are practice days, which means that we spend two hours in Team Training rooms, going over maps that we have played and making sure guys know where to go and what role they need to play.  We also go over maps we haven't played or are not as well versed on, doing the same thing.  Going over line ups and going over what guys need to do.  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are usually days where we find other teams to scrimmage with to ensure guys are gaining not only the experience on the battlefield in comp matches, but to know what they are supposed to do.

NT: How many matches have you played, do you have pre match warmups? what is it like playing a competitive match?

TG Traumatosis There aren't too many matches that I haven't played in as I am the Caller of the team, so I basically tell guys where to go and what tanks they are playing.  My pre match warm ups are grabbing enough drinks to hold me over during match time, listening to some Heavy Metal (Usually Metallica) and playing some public matches so I am not going into matches cold.  Playing Comp matches are very exciting and nerve racking.  Because you see what they pick for a lineup or sometimes we play Fog of War which you don't know what the other team picks until they are taken off of spectator mode.  We let the battle buddies make moves for themselves that won't be a detriment to themselves on losing Hitpoints after initial positioning has been given.  Communications are usually really good and targets are being called out so we can focus fire and take tanks out one by one to gain advantage and take the win. 

Thank you @dhmoose & @TG Traumatosis for joining me today.
Stay Tuned for more CT Squad Spotlights