SquadWar FAQ

The basis for SquadWar is that organized squadrons should be able to conquer and defend regions of space. SquadWar allows multiplayer squadrons to challenge other squadrons for control of territory in the universe. SquadWar is and organized form of team vs. team multiplayer gameplay. PXO servers will maintain a list of registered squadrons which will be managed by users through a web page. Squadrons will fight it out, via team vs team missions, for control of sectors. The PXO database will keep track of which squadron controls each sector.

First, you need a valid copy of a supported game. Supported games are FreeSpace 2, and validated mods/TCs based on FreeSpace 2 Open. Second you will need to obtain a valid PXO account. This can be done by registering an account via the PXO web site and validating your account details.

A Squad Leader must give you a unique join URL. Following this URL will allow to you confirm that you wish to join the Squad in question. Once confirmed, you will be added to the Squad's roster.

Simply log into the PXO website, go the SquadWar dropdown, and click on "Squads" from the list of available actions. Click the "Create" button and fill out the required information. Your Squad will be created pending review of the Administrator.

If you are currently the Leader or Co-Leader of an existing Squad you will not be able to create another squad. You must resign your leadership position in, or resign from, the existing Squad in order to create a new Squad.

Leagues are individual "games" of SquadWar. Think of a SquadWar League as something similar to a bowling league, basketball season, or club event. Your team can participate in multiple Leagues at the same time. The individual League maps don't exist within the rules of the FreeSpace universe. The current FreeSpace node map is way too limiting to create a single league, much less multiple leagues. A SquadWar league map needs a least three node connections from every sector other than an entry node in order to provide the most amount of fun and ease of territorial expansion.

First, log into the PXO site. If you are the Leader or Co-Leader of a Squad, go to your Squad Admin page and look for the "Leagues" section. Click the "Join League" button to sign up for an available league. You must have at least two members on your active roster before being able to join a league.

First, log into the PXO site. If you are the Leader or Co-Leader of a Squad, go to your Squad View page and look for the "Leagues" section and click on the name of the League in question. In the "Controlled Sectors" box click the "Enter the Map" button to begin the process of entering the league map. If an Entry Node is available you will be presented with a list of Entry Nodes from which to claim. If an Entry Node is not available you will be given the opportunity to challenge another Squad for control of an Entry Node.

First, log into the PXO site and go to your Squad's Admin page. If your Squad has joined a league, click on the league name in the "Leagues" box. Clicking the "Issue Challenge" link will take you to the challenge page where you will find a list of the sectors which your Squad can currently challenge. Clicking on a sector will begin the challenge process and generate a match code.

A match code is a specific ID number which corresponds to a SquadWar event. When you pose a challenge, a match code is generated. Information regarding pending matches, including the match code, is available from your Squad View page. You will use this match code when playing a SquadWar match in a supported game on PXO to play the match.

At least two members from each squad must be present for a valid SquadWar match to occur. All Squad participants should log into PXO and one Squad member should host the match. The host must choose "Team" missions from the list of valid PXO missions and click the "SquadWar" button on the top left of the host screen. When the host "commits" to the match, he will be prompted to enter the match code. The host will enter the match code for your match to continue. When the mission is over, PXO will update the SquadWar map information.

Obviously people with faster connections will have an advantage and a faster reaction time. There's nothing we can do about this. If you have a poor connection and feel like you're at a disadvantage but still still want to play, you might want to be a bomber. You can be a very valuable asset to your Squad as a dedicated bomber.

In order to track the process of matches and to insure matches are resolved in a timely manner, a match scheduling system has been created to coordinate the process involved in scheduling a match. If you are a Squad Leader you can reach the scheduling page by clicking on the "Matches" button availabe on your Squad page. The instructions are fairly simple:

• A team creates a challenge.
• Phase 1:

  The challenging team visits the scheduling page for that match code and proposes two times for that match to be played.

• Phase 2:

  The defending team is notified by SquadWar that the initial proposed times have been created. The defending team then sets the battle parameters for the match. The battle parameters are the missions, number of pilots, and whether or not AI is present. The defending team also proposes one alternate time for the match on one of the two days suggested in the initial proposition by the challenging team.

• Phase 3:

  The challenging team is notified by SquadWar that phase 2 has been completed. The challenging team then picks the final match time from the two times offered by the defending team.

• You play the match at the scheduled time, or request an extension from the SquadWar Administrator.

Please schedule all outstanding matches as quickly as possible.

At least two members from each Squad are required to be present during a match. Both teams should agree in advance how many will participate when the match is set up. If you agree to a four on four match and the other team only has two players show up at game time, the "short" team has to play with two players, and the "full" team can option to play with all 4 players on their squad if they are present. The "full" Squad can agree to play with less if they choose, but they aren't required to play with any less than they agreed to.

Again, you should agree in advance what the specific rules for the match are, and what mission will be used. The defending team can insist upon the three parameters available through the scheduling system: mission, number of pilots, and the use of AI pilots. Additionally, the preference to host goes to the defending/challenged team. Both teams should try to agree on a neutral server such as a PXO stand-alone server. If they are unable to agree or find one, the defending/challenged team has first choice of stand-alones. If a stand-alone cannot be agreed upon, the defending/challenged team has priority of hosting.

Please note that any additional match rules must be agreed to by both teams. If they are not agreed to by both teams, then the default rules apply. For example, if both teams agree not to use a certain type of missile, it is acceptable as long as both teams agree to it. However, the defending team cannot force the attacking team to abide by this extra rule just because they are on defense. If you feel like a team is taking advantage of this rule, please write the SquadWar Administrator with the match code and a full description of the incident.

The difficulty level for all Team vs. Team matches is forced to "medium".

No, but you should inform at least one person who plans on participating what the match code is.

After your match is complete, PXO waits a few minutes before moving and deleting the match code. Please be patient and the match code will be moved to the match history information after a short period of time.

If you are a Squad Leader or Co-Leader, go to your Squad's Admin page and open the "Edit Squad Information" box. Here you can change the details of your Squad including the color.

Chances are one of the clients lost contact temporarily with the server at the end of the match. PXO was made aware of the game state when the match ended and since it couldn't contact the missing player, that attempt to contact "timed out" causing the stats to update as normal.

Yes, a squad logo can be added by the Squad Leader or Co-Leader via the "Edit Squad Information" box on the Squad Admin page. Requirements for the logo, including image type and size, will be listed there. However, all squad logos and changes to those logos are subject to approval by the SquadWar Administrator before they will be shown on the web site.

Please see the Support FAQ answer below for contact information.