What are typical FFA game play guidelines?

[Col Klink]

I've started playing quite a few FFA's, but I'm having some issues with how to keep players happy enough to actually finish a game. For instance, should I wait for new players to actually join before beginning to build my base? Or is it OK to just build up my base anyways? When I enable the Recycler protection feature does the clock begin running right away or after I deploy it? I could use some feedback on what and what not to do to create a playable game for everyone. Thanks.

[Ded10c]

Or is it OK to just build up my base anyways?

Dear God no. Tips the balance massively in your favour.

[MrTwosheds]

I would always wait until you have at least one opponent.
For people who are joining an ffa game it is usually best to remember who is the host and to avoid completely destroying them first, very few people are considerate enough to continue hosting after their defeat.
If you are a considerate host and get your base blown away, try becoming a mercenary for another player, persuade them to leave units somewhere for you to use and help them fight the others. Calling them "Master" and grovelling allot usually works
Some of the ffa maps are set out so that you are forced to fight with one neighbour in particular, some times this works against both of you and you both end up being destroyed by a 3rd player, consider forming temporary alliances in this situation, its always good for a laugh, it never lasts very long, but may help to prevent another player becoming too powerful.

[Red Devil]

i would build up my base and plant tons of turrets at the spawn points of the other recyclers to ensure humiliating defeat(s).

[Ded10c]

Some of the ffa maps are set out so that you are forced to fight with one neighbour in particular, some times this works against both of you and you both end up being destroyed by a 3rd player, consider forming temporary alliances in this situation, its always good for a laugh, it never lasts very long, but may help to prevent another player becoming too powerful.

Maps that force advanced tactics like this should be more common.

[Fulmen]

Never ever start any kind of strat without at least one opponent.

[Col Klink]

Okay? What about the recycler protection feature? When does the clock start running? I see that building before another oponent enters the game is not a good thing. Also, how does one deal with players that like to attack a base instead of first building their own base. I had one player who started destroying my recyclers and chasing me back to my own base. I got frustrated with him and just quit because I was spending more time going after him rather then focusing on building my base up more. Some players seem to be more interested in disrupting regular game play rather then battling it out regular style. Thanks.

[Iron_Maiden]

Recycler protection starts I tink as soon as the game begins. Whenever I use it, I set it normally for 3 or 5 minutes in a strat, particuraly a large one, and a full 15 for a FFA or multi base war.

[Ded10c]

Okay? What about the recycler protection feature? When does the clock start running? I see that building before another oponent enters the game is not a good thing. Also, how does one deal with players that like to attack a base instead of first building their own base. I had one player who started destroying my recyclers and chasing me back to my own base. I got frustrated with him and just quit because I was spending more time going after him rather then focusing on building my base up more. Some players seem to be more interested in disrupting regular game play rather then battling it out regular style. Thanks.

That's a standard gameplay tactic and you'll probably find it in nearly every game you play. Best thing to do is meet them half way across the map, fight, then everybody goes back to building.

[Fulmen]

Okay? What about the recycler protection feature? When does the clock start running? I see that building before another oponent enters the game is not a good thing. Also, how does one deal with players that like to attack a base instead of first building their own base. I had one player who started destroying my recyclers and chasing me back to my own base. I got frustrated with him and just quit because I was spending more time going after him rather then focusing on building my base up more. Some players seem to be more interested in disrupting regular game play rather then battling it out regular style. Thanks.

That's a standard gameplay tactic and you'll probably find it in nearly every game you play. Best thing to do is meet them half way across the map, fight, then everybody goes back to building.

This.

The idea is not to ruin the other person's game, but to cripple his abilities against you as much as possible. Also, most players do not hit the Recycler first unless they are desperate.

[Col Klink]

I see the clock begins as soon as the game starts, so it seems pointless to use the rec protect feature at all. So I see the basic goal is to wait for at least one player to join and it's party time with whatever after it begins. Sounds like fun, but one can never expect the other players to follow any set attack tactics. Cool, I'll be on tomorrow 7 27 11 probablely after say 4 pm MST. Hopefully, I'll be able to give some players a run for the money. I'm new to online play, so I'll probabely suck for a while until I get my crap together. Thanks guys.

[Nielk1]

The best games start with the number of players they will have though their conclusion.

[Col Klink]

I played an MPI on several of Greenhearts maps and boy are they rediculously hard to make any headway with. I suck as a Commander and I couldn't even get a decent base built before the enemy AI pummeled my base to death. I think I burned out one player because of my inept actions at dealing with the AI; whoever you were Jagmon aplogizes.

I think I prefer the FFA's because they seem easier to play. I did join one MPI as a regular player and enjoyed that much more, and I even managed to destroy 2 enemy extractors and 2 Mega Staues to boot.