Using the shared control command to let multiple players command the same units in versus-AI matches, plus how to understand your rating and rank icons.
Multiple players can control the same army in BAR versus-AI games. After the match starts, use the chat command !cv joinas [player name] where the player name is the account already controlling the units. This links your input to another player's faction, letting you share micro, economic management, and production queues across a single team.
This works in versus-AI matches where developers have used it to demo strategies together. It doesn't transfer to PvP matches because balanced games require one player per faction. Use co-view for learning sessions, mentor-student pairs, or just having fun with a friend on the same team.
Your BAR rating comes with visual rank icons displayed in the lobby. The full rating and lobby balance guide at beyondallreason.info/guide/rating-and-lobby-balance explains the rating system, skill brackets, and rank icon meanings in detail. Knowing what your rank represents helps you understand matchmaking behavior.
Sharing an army with a mentor for hands-on coaching multiplies the learning value of every match. Communities that facilitate this kind of cooperative learning help new players grow exponentially faster.
I love being able to communicate with my team, getting and sharing tips and constructive feedback on gameplay, and having a good spirited community.