1. If the lag is superbad, I don't spam Ness' PK Fire. Unless I have to prove the lag is superbad. Same for Wolf FSmash.
2. At the start of a match on a sane stage *after* a few games which establish there are at least two serious other players, I will crouch taunt / specific character taunt to see if other people react. If they do, I will attempt to create a 1v1.
If this happens, I will make sure TO KILL MY CHARACTER so there is NO CONFUSION over whether I'm just TRYING TO WIN THE FFA.
I will then proceed to give myself -3 score, and then do my utmost to avoid getting hit, or even affecting the players' or their projectiles' movements in any way.
3. If items appear, and the duel continues, I abet it. But if any complications have arisen, I troll people with Pink Falcon until the scrub GTFO.
Trolling may take any form. The objective is to make people annoyed, and make them realize no one is safe, and there is no logic to the match, as long as there is an item. Someone who is not me must leave or turn off items.
4. If the stage is absurd, I taunt spam and slowly kill myself the whole match. Also troll people.
5. If the stage is controversial, I choose a taunt representing confusion or arrogance, and proceed to humour the game seriously for educational purposes. Respect is shown to players who find the stage absurd and clearly communicate that they want no part of it.
Unless the stage is controversial and sane in my estimation, in which case, I choose a taunt to indicate my awareness of the irregularity of the stage, but a desire to play it out. Refer to number 6 below.
6. If something unusual happens to delay the start of a match, I indicate my intent to fight anyway by waving a jab or aerial around near the player and crouch taunting, and so forth. If no one bites, I just keep asking and don't hit people.
7. If people are ***** about hanging back from the action only to take a kill and win with +1 - that is, by looking like they want to see a 1v1, or something else like I've described above - I spend the next game trolling them specifically with Pink Falcon, then quit.
8. I don't assume people are aware that 2 is necessary to have a duel in With Anyone, so I don't "crash taunt parties." But refer to 7.
If all three other players are just in a taunt party, I quit.
9. MOST IMPORTANTLY, if you're EVER linked to a three-player game, and there isn't a computer, kill yourself and encourage a duel. Don't care that no one ever reciprocates the favour. If one player kills you, let the other hit you, then go on. If both players don't get it, leave. If only one player doesn't get it, continue to avoid being hit and encourage the duel.
10. If a computer player is present, play the FFA. (EDIT2: If the stage has zero hazards, no items are on, and the computer wins, kill yourself. In real life. But save the replay and send me a recording first.)
12. Any rules except for 6 and 9 may be ignored if items appear in absurd quantities, or the absurd items appear, but it is important to express your contempt for the items themselves clearly.
I'd like to point out that application of 5 has taught me that Eldin Bridge is sane in FFAs. Neither Falco's lasers or Kirby/grab camping on the sides is broken.
I enjoyed codifying this. Thanks for the thread.
EDIT: Just to note: In my view, there is no such thing as AFC. Standing still, even being K.O.d, is a strategy, and there is no way to be "fair" in regards to such a player except to play the FFA as it is: A source of points.
I've been in some exciting games with a dummy participant, trying to K.O. it more than others, but sometimes trying to keep others from K.O.ing it, depending on my character's tools.
The existence of the bolded part is why I can't make sense of people who think their righteousness is clear when they protect the still guy.
Again, refer to 2. If you haven't SDd several times, I assume you're actually playing this game to win it.