You mean public games with unknown people? If so, then:
Fractal is my favourite too. It is real randomness. But I prefer pangea if Im not sure if my opponent is strong enough. So do other people, usually people do not like messing with naval units.
Speed is obviously quick. Only noobs play standart (or slower!) in MP.
Ruins were on in all matches I had, otherwise there is low incentive for exploring. These 1pop/10 culture can win you a wonder, but they are not game breaking.
Before the last patch I often set raging barbs, so that they were a bit more challenge, but now Im not so confident MP duels need them because it creates some bias towards honour/aztecs. But still if you are on the same continent, you need GG in 90% of cases.
I also set 6 CSs instead of 4, because patronage is really useless otherwise. But at fractal with 6 CSs both patronage and commerce can be useful (though still rarely used)
BTW, are you sure CSs are stronger if all players are deity in duel? Do they have lower production costs? -> more units? If so, that is good.
Starting era is ancient in 97% of cases. Nobody wants to play other eras though Im all for Industrial to make combat more diversed, or at least Classical to speed up things in the start and to have to choices.
I sometimes set resourses to scarce, so that there wont be 7+ iron/oil/allu. I think it affects only the number of them in one stack.
Timer is ON. ALWAYS. All other things I havent mentioned are off or default.
That was actually 'the usual settings'. Now lets see what 'etiquette' is. Things that fall under 'etiquette' category are actually:
- rushes
- stealing CS's workers
- use of instaheals
- el dorado issues
- not touching AI civs (if player left, in FFA matches, not in duels)
- RAs (again not in duels)
- double turn
- click fest
Many people consider these things harmful, and they can have significant impact on game. Personally I believe that all these issues except for rushes and not touching AI civs
can and should be eliminated ASAP to make game more fair.
But right now things are:
- rushes. Dont play with noobs. Decent players usually expect rushes and prepare for them/rush themselves. They are prepared for competitive playstyle, so its ok. Rush as much as you want. On the other hand, you can sometimes have a verbal agreement not to attack till turn 100. Why not? War starts with rifles then.
- stealing CS's workers. Not good. Some players turn CS off because of this, but I dont think we need such radical measures. CSs are important part of game. You easily understand when someone steals worker. This happens often, sometimes just because they have opportunity, or sometimes player do not build workers at all, because he plans to take it from CS. In one of my games, my opponent forgot to declare peace with CS after he stole worker and this CS became my ally after I killed 3 mohawks. Not being able to declare peace right after you stole worker will completely solve this problem. Right now either both of you steal, or you both agree not to steal.
- use of instaheals. Very nasty in MP. Can turn the tide of battle. There is no restriction for this either. I use it and expect the same from my enemy. But actually I do this to make him understand how strong IH is, and I will gladly play without it if my opponent do the same.
- el dorado issues. If you found ED, you should say this to your enemy and propose a rematch. These 500g can have huge impact in early game. Nice solution is to agree not to spend these gold, but by some reason in all games my enemies didnt do this. They couldnt resist spending them
- double turn.
Never use myself, but sometimes is hit hard by this. That is why I need to be prepare for this: 1) do not click end turn if enemy hasnt yet, 2) watch over your ARMY at the end of turn. Double turners are despised for this. Do not use it at all.
- click fest. Best ping wins. Sadly but there is little we can do about CF: only devs can if add some kind of initiative system. CF is very important now: everyone use it.
Hope this was of some help.
