1. LISTEN TO YOUR COMMANDER

Your commander is your team's leader. If everyone just does what they want, then there is no teamwork or consistency. The common goal falls apart, and the team will lose the game. Following your commander's instructions ensures that the commander gets what he/she needs in order to tech up, get defense, etc. Also, things in game can change very suddenly, and your commander might need to switch plans immediately. Be ready for this change, read your chat, and be flexible with your team’s goals.


2. WATCH YOUR RADAR

Press R to toggle radar/minimap view. Painted targets can be seen across the map, and other approaching targets can be identified long before they reach you. If you are out hitting a scrap pool, you should be watching your radar to make sure no one sneaks up on you. Additionally, watching your radar allows you to know where your team is at all times so you don't accidently run off on your own or get left behind.
You will also need to watch your radar if ships are approaching with Phantom VIR, and you will need to use your T key to target those ships. You shoud pretty much be spamming the T key while you are moving throughout the map to "catch" any approaching enemies. Remember to paint them if they are a threat.


3. READ YOUR CHAT

In game, things can change quickly. Reading chat allows you to properly follow commander's instructions and allows your team to maintain cohesiveness. Reaction time needs to be fast, so Scavenger passes, service requests, and other needs should have quick results. Also, warnings, such as "INCOMING ATTACK" or "DON'T GO OVER THERE" can be communicated with chat. Not reading chat can result in your entire team falling apart.


4. STICK WITH YOUR TEAM

Unless your commander says otherwise, you should be with at least one other person at all times (preferably the whole team). People who run off ahead or straggle behind are huge targets, and if you get into a premature or unwanted fight, your team will be at a big disadvantage. The goal is to have ONE dot on the radar.


5. ALWAYS PAINT (TELL YOUR TEAM TO ATTACK SOMEONE)

Telling your team to attack someone (default is F11 key to select all) will "paint" that target. Everyone on your team except for you will now have that person on their radar at all times no matter where they are on the map. To get that person painted for yourself, ask for a "paint back." Painting should happen CONSTANTLY in game so that your team can know where as many of the enemy thugs are at any given time. Also, be sure to paint targets when you die so that your team knows where to go to finish fighting or to avoid the person who killed you. Finally, make sure the strongest thug on the enemy team is painted all of the time. Knowing where they are at all times is going to keep you alive, as long as you are watching your radar.


6. COMMUNICATE EVERYTHING

Check the enemy base (carefully, so you don't die) and tell your commander where the enemy commander is at - they might want to react to something. Tell your commander when loose scrap is incoming so they can plan on saving up for an expensive building or unit. Tell your team where RED Field tanks are. Tell your team when your enemy upgrades weapons or units. Everything that happens should be communicated so that your entire team is on the same page and has the same understanding of the field at all times. Sitting there silently reduces your team's effectiveness.


7. DON'T DIE IN/NEAR ENEMY BASE (SCRAP DELIVERY)

Unless your commander tells you to, don't plan on dying near the enemy base. Your ship will drop loose scrap bits, and the enemy can easily pick those up and get a scrap boost. If you attack the enemy base, do it from the air carefully, or don't do it at all (again, unless the commander tells you to).


8. FIGHT SMART

THINK about why you are getting into any particular engagement. Are you defending something? Are you trying to get an enemy out of a full scout (Mini/FAF Scout)? Are you planning on getting the loose from the fight? If there is no reason or no reward for participating in an engagement, it's best to not start it and go do something else (unless your commander says otherwise). If you die in any particular engagement, who will get the loose scrap? If the enemy will (they have scavs nearby), then it's best to try to move your fight elsewhere or not engage.
Fighting smart also involves knowing when to chase enemies. Don't chase enemy units around the map unless you are SURE you will kill them quickly AND you will not die, and only limit your chase to a short time - your enemy might be playing with you to waste time. Also, don't chase enemy units up hills unless you are SURE you are going to kill them (you are >75 health and they are <25 health). Chasing up hills puts you immediately at a disadvantage in the fight that follows since you can get shot while following them up the hill, but you can't see them to shoot back.
Don't try to attack enemies that are hovering above you shooting down (hitting either you or your base) while you are on the ground. The chances that you will kill them or even chase them off is very slim, and if your entire team is stuck staring at the sky, then the enemy team can take back the field while your time is wasted. Leave one person to deal with hovering (one person that knows how to counter-hover); everyone else should be out hitting Scavengers/pools, defending loose scrap, etc.


9. USE COMMON SENSE

If an enemy unit is alone, your entire team should react and destroy that target. Be aware that the enemy team is probably on their way to help, so ASSUME that more fighting will follow. You know that annoying beeping that happens when something of yours is being attacked? Your enemy hears that too. If you start hitting something, the enemy knows where you are immediately. Consider only hitting a target for a brief period of time or ask for help if you are alone.
After a long engagement, especially base hits with tanks, enemy units will be low on ammo. Use that to your advantage. If your team is sticking together well, take advantage of other things like killing enemy units that are alone. If you outnumber them, it's highly likely that you can kill them (even a tank vs scouts). Take advantage of opportunities, and follow commander's instructions.
Don't kill enemy pilots if they have no sniper and they are stuck in your base - killing them just sends them back to their base faster. Also, don't snipe your own units to get inside, since AI pilots give +5 scrap when they reach the Recycler.
If your enemy seems to be doing something really stupid, understand that it could be part of a plan to kill you or somehow gain an advantage against you. Consider all possibilities while you are planning an engagement. ALWAYS assume that there is an enemy right behind you, because there probably is.
Finally, in general, it is a good idea to kill the enemy's strongest thug FIRST in any engagement so the rest of the engagement will be easier for your team. Be PRESENT in the game - don't just "play."