To start playing Squads simply select it from the main menu then choose whether you want to play 'Xbox Live Squads' (Online on PS3) or 'Local Play'.

Now select from one of the four gamemodes or instead select 'Squad HQ'. Continue reading to learn more about each gamemode

[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

From inside the Squad HQ the eight options are;

• Create a Soldier
  
• Leaderboards
  
• Squad Reports
  
• Edit Squad Name
  
• Edit HQ Gamemode
  
• Edit HQ Base
  
• Set Squad Order

Create a Soldier
If you are familiar with multiplayer there is not much explaining to do. It is exactly the same and primarily serves as the location to edit loadouts (previously known as custom classes) and changing the appearance of your player, a feature not seen since Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Leaderboards
You can view the worldwide leaderboards for the Squad Assault and Safeguard gamemodes within squads.

Squad Reports
Here you can view summaries for recent matches on Squads Assault and Squad vs Squad, only this gamemode's matches appear here. It shows the Squad Leader (player) you played against along with their playercard, time and date of the match, your team score and enemy score and an image of your Squads HQ Base. You also view Squad Reports within Squad Assault.

There is also the option to challenge the enemy of the match highlighted by pressing 'X' on Xbox and square on PS3.

[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

Edit Squad Name
Simply edit the name of your Squad that will show on your Squad Summary.

Edit HQ Gamemode
This is the gamemode you will play when challenged. There are 6 standard gamemodes to choose from; TDM, Cranked, Blitz, S&R, Kill Confirmed and Domination.

Edit HQ Base
Very similar to HQ Gamemode but this is the map you play on when challenged.

Set Squad Order
This option allows you to choose which Squad Members you want to use when going into battle. Squad Members are set up by default in the way shown in the screen shot below. Friends will replace the Squad Members from the bottom up.

To move around squad members, highlight their name and use the 'RB' and 'LB' buttons to move characters into the active Squad Member slots. The player your play as must be selected within 'Create a Soldier'.

[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]

This game mode allows you and your friends to play against the AI or you can challenge a friend's squad to play against them. This is the gamemode that Squad Reports and HQ settings are implemented in.

All options within the menu are the same to as multiplayer with the exception of Barracks and Operation and the addition of Squad Reports. You can also edit your loadouts here.

The Private Match option is now replaced with Challenge Friend.

Tips and Tricks
Make sure every active squad member has a good loadout to use as you're responsible for picking their guns.
Don't think you need to do everything yourself, the AI members aren't too shabby, they know what they're doing. Save yourself for more important tasks.
Use Wiretap as most of the AI will be running support so you will almost always have 2+ SATCOMS active meaning you can take advantage of the enemy's ones as well.
The enemy AI can be used to tell where other enemies are, they will always go where there isn't another player.

Squad vs Squad is very similar to Squad Assault however the option to play alongside or against friends has been removed. It is just skill based matchmaking and games are on random maps with random modes.

Tips and Tricks
There are no leaderboards for this gamemode so don't sweat it and don't get stressed.
Never underestimate the enemy, even if they are a low level doesn't mean they can't play.
Go for the non-AI player as he is the most vital player on the other team so take him out and you'll be able to gain optimal spawns and take the objective. All play revolves around that player.

As Safeguard is such a large gametype, I will explain it in greater detail on it's own thread and create map guides!
The thread will be available here.

Similar to Combat Training, you and up to 5 other random players or friends go up against AI Bots from your teammates 'squads. If you do not have 6 people on your team, they spaces are filled by bots. You play the 6 default squad gamemodes listed in the introduction.

You can choose from 4 difficulties; Recruit, Regular, Hardened and Veteran.

[ Register or Signin to view external links. ]