P3 Settings

Settings - ie Channel Options

Watch out for "tricks" if the channel host has any unusual game settings. In other words this often means the host has a plan, or set strategy, and if you are unaware and/or inexperienced, then the host will most likely win. Look at all the channel settings, including scenario - stick to maps you know, unless like me you like a steep learning curve - the hard way! Defensive play is safer but not always the best. Build barracks early if you are uncertain at all, and scout. Else don't accept, go find a host whose channel settings are more familiar.

Westwood Chat -The Map options Panel in Game Settings.

Settings - Start Funds Low
Building funds may be just enough to build power & ore refinery. Don't (esp. if it's a small map). Build instead power & barracks, and soldiers. Ten to 1 that's what the host will be doing too.

Settings - Crates: On or Off?
Crates can provide an advantage - but they can be a bitch too.
Some experienced players have crates off, as they don't need chance and don't want the risk.
If crates are on and you get a crate show up right at the start, NEVER collect such a start crate with first ore truck.
If it blows you lose. Instead, build a barracks b4 ore & use soldier to collect.
If it blows up, no loss.
Then keep building soldiers until you have a war factory (or required number). Use them to scout, or attack your enemy's power, ore refinery or cy.

I have had good crates at the start (MCV, ore truck) but still lost -
you never know what crates your opponent may get.
Too often I had my first tank blown up by a crate and lost after a good tank battle - that one tank can make a difference.
Crates, On or off? It's up to you.

Settings - 3 unit start
(The V2 Cheat)
This isn't really a cheat but is often referred to as such as it's a bitch, and worth a mention as it is often used by warped, desperate, lesser or "preying" players in tournament games. (jk! ok?) Try it if you want but most find there's no satisfaction in winning when little skill is needed and this way requires none against the unwary, and if the victim is aware enough to foil, then the "cheater" still has to win with skill.
Anyhow, when your opponent is soviet & has selected a 3 unit start....
Be expecting an early sneak attack - the V2 might be slow turning and (sometimes) targeting, but it's quick on the move & can take out your small power at the start of the game with just one hit. No power = no build. (Or so slow as to be effectively no build anyhow - game over you lose).
There are several ways to beat this. My fav is on lg map to be allies, use early tank build order, anticipate which route V2 will take, intercept & kill it with tanks (allies tanks are faster) then go on to take out THEIR power. This way is risky though & success of your attack depends on your skill as well, since enemy may have built tanks by the time you get there. It is best to back up your play with another foil.
Build 2 small power at the start. (best foil).
Build barracks b4 ore refinery; use soldiers to find and destroy the V2 - but spread soldiers so that V2 can't kill them all. (V2 has low armor so is easily killed).
Mirror play; do unto them.... Be soviet also, and beat them at their own game.
How? If you have read the manual, you can figure it out ... clue: you have to get to enemy base sooner than they get to yours.

Settings - capture the flag
Once again it's up to you whether to use this setting or not. Capture can be fun, and a skillful game is required where both players know what to do.
Options - build wall around flag, with artillery or rocket soldiers inside. They work and can't be shot as long as the wall is intact.
- play defensive - When playing capture flag in someone else's channel,
you can usually be sure that they know what they are doing and usually they will attempt an early capture maneuvre - wait for opponent to attack and you will seldom lose given equal gameplay skill. But don't get distracted & stop building when attacked.
- Closed Base defence - make it as difficult as possible for opponent to get through to flag. Place buildings in lines above and below the flag, and block access with tanks AFTER they are inside your lines. Remember, they have to get out as well and if you are prepared they won't get far. By now they have lost a few tanks & you should launch your counter. Send ALL your tanks, but don't be tempted to go for the flag straight off - do some base damage first, or if the enemy has too much defence, destroy the tanks then war factory...

Settings - 12 unit start
Be Allies, Select all tanks + rangers, number them & attack immediately. Arrange remaining units for defence and number them, press F (formation) & G (guard).
If past or near halfway, & you see you are also going to be attacked, don't turn back or you will lose. Keep going and you can win easily. Take out cy first then any defence units & defence emplacements already built. Kill the ore truck then go back and kill rest of the enemy units (assuming they were attacking your base).

Settings - 1 unit, tech level ##, no base, crates on
Don't bother. 50/50 chance

Settings - 1 unit, tech level ##, no base, crates off
Don't bother. 50/50 chance

Settings - Slow unit build
Allies have a slight advantage if this setting is checked, as light tanks and medium don't take quite so long to build. Apart from that, slow build is countered by building 3 or 4 war factories, increasing build speed. Build order therefore is affected by this setting. Build extra war before extra ore.