Editing Typical opening (section)

==Location selection phase==
In this phase you are shown a green box around a part of the map. You can click somewhere in here to choose in which area your [[Commander]] will appear. Once all players choose a location (or time runs out), a 3 second countdown will start. After that, all commanders will be deployed simultaneously.

===Picking a good spot===
Some maps won't give you much of a choice, but on those that do there are a few general guidelines:
*Pick a location closest to the center of map.
**This allows you to control the map better.
*The spot you pick should have a mex cluster of 3 or 4 [[Metal Extractor|mexes]].
**If you start somewhere without a mex cluster you are slowing yourself down.

Picking a defensible spot is not very important - your opponent has the same options available as you and isn't going to be able to abuse this. Good radar coverage and some units will sort out anything.

===Your first buildings===
Before the game starts, you are allowed to queue up to 30 buildings (using shift) that your commander will start to work on when it appears. Most people open with the following:
#A starting factory, placed somewhere close to the starting mex cluster.
#*This is to ensure the Commander has to move around as little as possible for this initial phase - time spent moving is time not spent building.
#All surrounding mexes.
#3 [[Solar Collector]]s or 5-6 [[Wind/Tidal Generator]]s.
#*This should give you enough energy to match the metal you will get from the mexes you just took and the next few mexes you will take as you start to expand.
#A [[Radar Tower]], preferably in an elevated location.
#*Helps to protect against early raids.
#1 or 2 light defensive towers, usually an [[Lotus|LLT]] or [[Picket|MT]].
#The commander, in a location close to all the buildings.