[The Panther]

Pickles,

The problem with your map choice is too much water plus the fact that it is not wraparound. You might get stuck in a corner and can't get out except to attack your partners. Pre selected starting spots go around this, but I kind of like random starts. The only problem is that you might be surrounded by enemies and the game becomes a 3 on 4 quickly. But that is why you have allies (HELP ME!!!!!)

A wraparound map allievates much of these concerns. So does a slightly bigger map.

I would suggest Inland is perfect for a 5 on 5 (even a 4 on 4) because wraparound maps always play much smaller than their true size. Also, Inland does not have the choke points like Eye does, thus meaning you will quickly find an enemy on the other team if you build more than one scout.

The reason you don't have the rush capability in typical FFAs is due to the fact that you could kill someone but weaken yourself so much that a third guy kills you. It makes it a much more strategic decision about when to delare war, typical of any FFA in RTS like Starcraft.

In your plan here, you always know who to attack. When you see an enemy, you are automatically at war. None of that stuff like, 'oops, I didn't mean to take that province next to your home'. Or, 'I am taking that province there, pretty please?' Nope, you kill or be killed.

That no-rush rule above to turn 25 is totally absurd, by the way. The whole point of your plan is to engage your opponent and ATTACK!

Way cool idea, pickles!

Needless to say, I like this idea a lot. I don't think I am as good as any of the three of you, but count me in anyway.