My Start Game Setup

Heist

I just wanted to let you aspiring commanders learn a thing or two about setting up at the beginning of the game. If u don't have a definate plan you will get voted out pretty quickly. The beginning is the most important part and puts u in a postion to win or lose. This is the order I use.. It's not neccessarily the best but it works everytime for me.

1) Rush to command chair
2) Build TWO infantry portals
3) Build Turret Factory
4) Build 2 turrets near the room entrances
5) Build Armory
6) Send 2 guys out to a hive, 2 out to a resource point (tell both squads to defend when they get there) and the rest guard base for a sec
7) Build a turret next to the command chair
8) Set up a base at the first hive then send those marines to the second hive.

This should get u started. It allows you to take a hive quickly and get your base defended. It also allows you to have two guys DEFENDING your next resource point.

I hope this helps a little.

Heist

Oh and one more tip. Nothing frustrates aliens more than getting their resource bases and hives blown up by things they can't see. Forget the grenade launchers for a while and set up a mini seige turret base.
Next, Sit back and listen to the "WTF!!! THOSE THINGS ARE WAY TOO POWERFUL! THE GAME IS SOO UNBALENCED! NOOB COMMANDER!! CAN'T WIN WITHOUT FRIGGEN SHOOT THRU WALL GUNS!"
It's glorious. <!--emo&::siege::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/siege.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='siege.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

FlatlineUTD

This was actually my original build order - but on two or three occasions, the hive location I sent my guys to was the alien spawn. <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo-->

On any map other than ns_nothing (which I get Skulk rushed on 99% of the time), I build an Observatory and an Armory in my main while a squad builds a resource nozzle. Then I scanner sweep the hive locations and send the nozzle guys to the nearest empty one and have the guys in my base build a factory and some turrets after laying down a few mines.

After a Phase Gate comes up and the Hive is secured, I start taking nozzles.

Heist

I see your point however If u are watching the marines heading for the hive you can "usually" tell if that is a hive location(alien concentration and direction they come from). If it is send them to the one farthest away from them. Has worked for me especially when I know which marines to pick (if I have played with them before and they have shown they can survive).

Mindmeldme

I think what annoys me is new commanders...if I just commanded the last round and somehow pulled off a victory and the team is asking me to command again and someone runs into the command chair as fast as he can. i usually just walk away and say he wanted it more while the team is going...what the hell over thier mics. As a good marine I wait for the commander to start building...or move to a node...or do something helpful. It's that then the new commander wants to build 6 portals or 10 turrents around the base. I had one commander...he spent everything on 2 portals and the rest on a TF and 6 turrents, didn't even drop us an armory...then we started getting alien rushed for 3 minutes so we had 8 guys in the base going...commander I need ammo...guns dry help...for the love of GOD AMMO COMMANDER. it was kinda funny for a little bit.

All I ask is...if the whole team wants one person to be the commander...please don't runn in first...screw over the team and then get voted out. Just leave and wait your turn to command.