Home - Field Owners - Game Notes - VIP Escort (Observations & Suggestions)
Game Notes: VIP Escort
VIP escort games are probably the single hardest games to play well. I see players get more frustrated with escorts than anything else. For tricks to make it easier, read on.
Observations
The ambush team has a relatively simple job: play a team deathmatch where at least one person on the other team is less likely to be firing back than they are to be hiding. Theoretically you could put a bunch of less experienced players on the ambush team and be fine, at least until you switch sides.
The escort team needs assistance from you in planning unless they're highly skilled players. They need encouragement to set up a command structure, separate patrol groups and a plan on how to move the VIP. Most likely they won't listen to you for the first time or two. Be patient and persistent without being pushy. Don't give more advice than they ask for.
Encourage the escort team to pick one of their best players to be VIP. The VIP probably won't shoot much but having the skill to know when, where and how to move can make a night and day difference between winning and losing for the escort team. Also, it's probably better that the VIP can shoot in a pinch than be dead if they're caught off-guard.
If the escort team gets too far infield the ambushers can have a really tough time catching up. Not only that, but if the escort team knows where they're going they'll break into a dead run if they know they've toasted all of the ambushers ahead of them.
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Administration Suggestions
Let the losing team decide whether they're up to playing again. Also let them choose which side they want to play. Ask them what they could do better with a second chance.
Make sure you have at least two waypoints. Zig-zag them across the field to make it easier for the ambushers to catch up.
I like to hide the location of the final waypoint from the escort team until they're about to head there. I might also only tell the VIP, letting them relate the information. This forces the escort team to slow down and search for the final point, which gives the ambushers time to catch up.
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How do you run your VIP escort games? E-mail mike@mikescombatgames.com and let us know.