Map Guide: P4

Milo's P4 guide needs an update, because the known optimal way to play Red Alert keeps improving. 

To begin, I want to dispel some common myths on how to optimally play P4, followed by the best factions, deployment locations and build order. If we learn more, I will update this guide accordingly.

A key concept from Milo's guide remains: the optimal way to play is to tank from both front and back. I remember Milo saying he used to choose back position on purpose to avoid a lesser skilled player attempt to immediately build without any tanks. 

The most recent P4 tournament finals demonstrated that the best players at least build 2 war factories before a service depot.

P4 Myths

There are 2 myths which need to be debunked about how to play the popular map P4, and they seem to materialise whenever the top players take a break from the game:

1. The starting position should be decided by players, in-game by typing front/back or f/b to each other

The problem with this is, it leads to delays in production meaning you will have less tanks to fight with. There are a few reasons for this, ranked in order of severity:

• MCVs crossing paths causing one to temporarily stop or drive up and down in a zig zag (1-2 second delay)
• MCVs getting diverted north by the sandbags (3+ seconds delay)
• Disagreement between players leading to big delays and/or bad deployment locations

In tournaments, positions are of course prearranged so this isn't an issue. But in normal gameplay, if you start in back position stay in back position. If you start in front position, stay in front position. 

Why is this important? The famous saying by Milo: 'Whoever builds the most, the fastest, wins' was probably correct at the time of writing when there were not many players around with good production. However, since Milo returned and taught us how to maximise production, there are now many top players who can reach near maximum production, therefore, this aspect of the game in the modern era only gets you into the conversation. It is however still essential! Every second lost reduces your army size exponentially, and shortens your window of opportunity to expose the enemy's service depot.

2. The player who deploys in back position should build

The optimal opening is with 2 Ukraine factions deploying early with the following build order:

Small power >>> Barracks >>> Barracks >>> Ore Refinery >>> War Factory >>> War Factory

Ukraine is faster than Russia, so you can deploy quicker. There's no money advantage with Russia on infinite ore maps, so use Ukraine for speed. (Ukraine tanks are also better than Russia since they can avoid and dish out damage easier with their speed).

Grenadiers should be sent out immediately to reveal the enemy's deployment location and kill enemy soldiers. Builders rely on a large amount of infantry to kill your tanks, so wipe them out with grenadiers. 

Next try to use your grenadiers to kill key buildings with weak armour (small power, war factory, refinery) and further scout their base. From there, kill the enemy teslas with your tanks as a priority, then their tanks and key buildings. Leave them with near zero defense and at your mercy.

There is a small window of opportunity on P4 for tankers to beat builders. You need to wipe out the enemy front player at the start of the game or do significant damage, but you have to be fast:

• Place your buildings down with a swift double click and fast wrist. 
• Keep your building menu next to where you want to place your buildings for speed.
• Kill enemy infantry with grenadiers ASAP
• Kill enemy teslas, tanks and buildings with grenadiers and tanks ASAP
• Use the lowest resolution so you can click faster and more accurately
• Learn bookmarks to save time scrolling
• Use your keyboard arrow keys for speed and precision when deploying buildings
• Beware of engineers: squash or shoot them ASAP

Every error you make gives the builder opportunity to gain more tempo from their extra construction yards, so you must eliminate your production and targeting errors. Practice Platinum Medal Challenge with Q to hone in your speed and accuracy as a tanker:

Factions

2 Ukraine are the strongest on P4 if you want to maximise your chances of using the tankers window of opportunity. But 1 Ukraine in front position and 1 Allied in back position can also work, if Ukraine can eliminate enough enemy infantry with grenadiers.

Optimal Deployment and Build Order

Deploy early as front and mirror this from back position (leaving your partner space for 2 ore refineries):

From here, you can either continue tanking or begin building. Ideally, you've done enough damage to continue tanking.

Note the buildings are placed in a line touching each other, to prevent the enemy from sneaking in from north. Further note the vertical line of infantry acting as guards

Should an A.I. ever be programmed to play Red Alert optimally, it may find a variation of this is more effective. For example, perhaps placing ore refineries slightly further away from the ore would gain a precious extra second to kill the enemy faster. Or perhaps the A.I. would place their 2 front war factories further south, exactly like NastyNate often does followed by an MCV and tesla. Or perhaps we will learn something new.

  

What ever variation you choose, take advantage of the tankers window of opportunity!