History Main / SquadControls

* ''VideoGame/{{Pikmin}}'' is built around this trope. The plot follows Captain Olimar (later games include Louie) being stranded on a planet (implied to be Earth itself) trying to achieve his objectives using small aliens in a world filled with all kinds of dangerous creatures and Eldritch Abominations. The main gameplay is about ordering these animal/plant hybrids to attack enemies, get items, build things and even commit suicide.

* ''VideoGame/FreedomFighters'', a 2003 third-person shooter, might have been the TropeCodifier.

* The ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'' games set in [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTellius Tellius]] allow the team leader to give some basic orders to the other playable characters (In case you don't feel like moving them manually) and to the allied yellow units (useful [[EscortMission if they have to survive]], just send them to a square away from enemies).

* The first ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts'' game uses the Triangle button to call your allies onto the same target.

* ''Day of Defeat'' (UsefulNotes/WorldWarII-themed VideoGame/HalfLife mod) has pre-set communication with one's team--both vocal and HandSignals supported in player model animations. What made Sturmbot one of the best bots (once you have waypoints) is that these guys understood every command and acted on them with adjustable probability.

* The ''VideoGame/{{Freespace}}'' series has a relatively sophisticated example, with [[PlayerCharacter Alpha 1]] being authorized to send wingmates to attack or protect specific targets or [[SubsystemDamage subsystems]], attack at will, form up, or [[{{Hyperspace}} return to base]]. Curiously, transport ships can receive orders to dock with large vessels, though this capability was never used in either game - though it's put to good use in some custom campaigns, such as the rescue mission in ''[[GameMod Bem Cavalgar]]''.

* ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'', when you're accompanied by resistance fighters. The antlions have something similar, but limited to "heel" and "fetch", in that they are attracted to an item you can throw at targets. Unfortunately, there is no "Stay" order.

* ''VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar'', ''VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar'', and ''VideoGame/AceCombat6FiresOfLiberation'' give you control over your [[{{Wingman}} wingmen]]. Seeing how the game is about aerial combat, your options are usually "Concentrate Fire", "Disperse and Engage", and "Cover Me". You can also toggle permission to use special weapons. Unfortunately, in ''[=AC6=]'', the controls were already simplified compared to ''ACZ'' and this feature seems to have been abandoned completely in later ''VideoGame/AceCombat'' games (where the wingmen are completely AI-controlled).

A {{Video Game Interface Element|s}} that allows the player to issue a limited number of predefined orders to their AI teammates. The ''[[GratuitousLatin sine qua non]]'' of the squad-based TacticalShooter genre, it shows up in plenty of other genres as well (particularly in games which make use of ManualLeaderAIParty). Sometimes, you'll be able to do this in an EscortMission, which can make them a lot more bearable.

* ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'' games allow you to give each character orders on what to do, [[ArtificialStupidity but sometimes they'll just do whatever]] (Depends on the game)
* The ''VideoGame/FireEmblem'' games set in [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTellius Tellius]] allow the team leader to give some basic orders to the other playable characters (In case you don't feel like moving them manually) and to the allied yellow units (Useful [[EscortMission if they have to survive]], just send them to a square away from enemies)

A {{Video Game Interface Element|s}} that allows the player to issue a limited number of predefined orders to their AI teammates. The ''[[AltumVidetur sine qua non]]'' of the squad-based TacticalShooter genre, it shows up in plenty of other genres as well (particularly in games which make use of ManualLeaderAIParty). Sometimes, you'll be able to do this in an EscortMission, which can make them a lot more bearable.

* The ''VideoGame/RogueSquadron'' sequels, ''Rogue Leader'' and ''Rebel Strike'', give you two {{wing|man}}men controlled with the D-pad. The Up command is always "form up" on either side of you; side commands send them off to attack, sometimes with Left and Right providing a choice of targets. Down is "Flee" in case you're going for a SelfImposedChallenge or to minimize friendly losses for medal requirements, though this is rarely needed because your wingmen can typically handle themselves and most friendly losses come from [[EscortMission escort targets]], who you obviously cannot order to flee.

* The ''VideoGame/RogueSquadron'' sequels, ''Rogue Leader'' and ''Rebel Strike'', give you two {{wing|man}}men controlled with the D-pad. The Up command is always "form up" on either side of you; side commands send them off to attack, sometimes with Left and Right providing a choice of targets; and Down is "flee" for some reason.

''(If your squad behaves [[ArtificialIntelligence particularly well]], we recommend rewarding them with a tasty treat, available from TropeCo. Particularly egregious instances of ArtificialStupidity should be corrected with a clear "NO" and a sharp smack on the nose [[FriendlyFireproof with a rifle butt]].)''

** On defensive, they follow you around and generally stay out of the way until [[BerserkButton someone tries to get a radar lock on you or an AA gun starts firing in your general direction]], at which point they instantly start chasing the offender. Which means that yes, the AI is smart enough to do WildWeasel tactics with you as the bait.

* ''Day of Defeat'' (UsefulNotes/WorldWarII-themed VideoGame/{{Half-Life}} mod) has pre-set communication with one's team--both vocal and HandSignals supported in player model animations. What made Sturmbot one of the best bots (once you have waypoints) is that these guys understood every command and acted on them with adjustable probability.

* ''VideoGame/{{Oddworld}}: Abe's Oddysee''

* ''VideoGame/StarWarsRepublicCommando'' has four common commands: "Secure Area" (Stay), "Form Up" (Heel, i.e. "follow me closely"), "Cancel Maneuver" (abandon current specialized task, see below, and return to previous order), and "Search and Destroy" (self-explanatory). Additionally, there is a number of context sensitive commands triggered by the same button, depending on what you're targeting right now: focus fire on a particular enemy (Sic 'Em), take a specialized defensive position (sniper, grenadier, or anti-armor), man a turret, place a shaped charge on a door, slice a terminal, use a bacta station, place or disarm a landmine, or resuscitate a fallen squad member. Finally, if the PlayerCharacter goes down, they have the option either to recall the squad to revive him or to have them carry out current orders and revive him once the coast is clear again.

* ''VideoGame/StarWarsRepublicCommando''.

* '''Fetch''': Games with objectives can allow the player to tell teammates to perform actions for them instead of having to {{ItsUpToYou physically go to the location}}. Usually more common in CoOpMultiplayer games with AI bots.

* '''Stay''': Your squad is ordered to hold its position - useful if you want to scout out a new location without the whole team running into an ambush. May be called "Hold" or "Stand Ground".

* '''Off You Go, Boy!''' Your squad is released to do whatever they usually would - another "cancel" command; "Advance" or "Aggressive Stance".

* ''Day of Defeat'' (WorldWarTwo themed VideoGame/{{Half-Life}} mod) had pre-set communication with one's team -- both vocal and HandSignals supported in player model animations. What made Sturmbot one of the best bots (once you have waypoints) is that these guys understood every command and acted on them with adjustable probability.

* ''VideoGame/AceCombat5TheUnsungWar'', ''VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar'', and ''VideoGame/AceCombat6FiresOfLiberation'' gave you control over your [[{{Wingman}} wingmen]]. Seeing how the game is about aerial combat, your options are usually "Concentrate Fire", "Disperse and Engage", and "Cover Me". You can also toggle permission to use special weapons. Unfortunately, in ''[=AC6=]'', the controls were already simplified compared to ''ACZ'' and this feature seems to have been abandoned completely in later ''AceCombat'' games (where the wingmen are completely AI-controlled).

* The first ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts'' game used the Triangle button to call your allies onto the same target.
* ''VideoGame/RogueGalaxy'' allowed you to set one of four "Team Commands" in battle ("fight separately", "pick same target", "go all out", and "step back") when you weren't confirming ally suggestions or issuing orders from the combat menu yourself.

* ''VideoGame/{{Pikmin}}'' is built around this trope. The plot follows Captain Olimar (later games include Louie) being stranded on a planet (implied to be Earth itself) trying to achive his objectives using small aliens in a world filled with all kinds of dangerous creatures and Eldritch Abominations. The main gameplay is about ordering these animal/plant hybrids to attack enemies, getting items, build things and even commiting suicide.

* VideoGame/StarTrekOnline has this function in ground scenarios, where you can command your away team. Hold position, attack your target, and "passive mode", which can all be assigned to the group or to individual officers.

* ''VideoGame/{{Half-Life 2}}'', when you're accompanied by resistance fighters. The antlions have something similar, but limited to "heel" and "fetch", in that they are attracted to an item you can throw at targets. Unfortunately, there is no "Stay" order.

* ''{{Oddworld}}: Abe's Oddysee''
* ''GearsOfWar'' has your basic Hold and Advance controls.
* ''AceCombat5'', ''AceCombatZero'', and ''AceCombat6'' gave you control over your [[{{Wingman}} wingmen]]. Seeing how the game is about aerial combat, your options are usually "Concentrate Fire", "Disperse and Engage", and "Cover Me". You can also toggle permission to use special weapons. Unfortunately, in ''[=AC6=]'', the controls were already simplified compared to ''ACZ'' and this feature seems to have been abandoned completely in later ''AceCombat'' games (where the wingmen are completely AI-controlled).

* ''BrutalLegend'', lacking the traditional bird's eye view of {{Strategy Game}}s, uses this to give orders to allied squads during Stage Battles.
* In ''BlazingAngels: Squadrons of WWII'', you have the ability to make your team do things such as repair your plane or fly ahead to attack the enemies.

* ''CityOfHeroes'' has this for the Mastermind class so they can control their pets. The player can set both the stance (aggressive, defensive, passive) and the specific command (follow, attack, go to, stay). Any damage the Mastermind takes is split among the Mastermind and any nearby pets that are in Defensive-Follow (specifically known as "Body Guard Mode"). With their full array of minions acting as bodyguards, a Mastermind can act as a surprisingly effective tank, especially if they are able to heal themselves and their minions to keep the effect going. The downside is that [=AoE=] attacks end up hitting the minions even harder (as they take normal damage, plus their share of the master's).

* ''RogueGalaxy'' allowed you to set one of four "Team Commands" in battle ("fight separately", "pick same target", "go all out", and "step back") when you weren't confirming ally suggestions or issuing orders from the combat menu yourself.

* ''{{Odama}}''.

* ''{{Pikmin}}'' is built around this trope. The plot follows Captain Olimar (later games include Louie) being stranded on a planet (implied to be Earth itself) trying to achive his objectives using small aliens in a world filled with all kinds of dangerous creatures and Eldritch Abominations. The main gameplay is about ordering these animal/plant hybrids to attack enemies, getting items, build things and even commiting suicide.
* ''TalesSeries'' games allow you to give each character orders on what to do, [[ArtificialStupidity but sometimes they'll just do whatever]] (Depends on the game)
* The ''FireEmblem'' games set in [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTellius Tellius]] allow the team leader to give some basic orders to the other playable characters (In case you don't feel like moving them manually) and to the allied yellow units (Useful [[EscortMission if they have to survive]], just send them to a square away from enemies)