#3 is just a matter of picking the right faction and planet. Since there continually seems to be one planet in Steiner space being attacked by the Jade Falcons, and the biggest groups are Steiner or Jade Falcon, the shortest queues seem to be on that planet. Whereas there doesn't seem to be anyone actually playing for clan Smoke Jaguar. All 3 of my matches (out of 23) where I failed to hit 80 points were due to rushes winning the game. Either by my side or the enemy.
Certain Planets seem to be constantly under attack/ counter attack once you find those worlds keep with them. Wait times are 5 minutes or less. Usually the FRR/Clan Wolf border.
At this point, I've honestly stopped trying to win in CW. I don't have a large group to play with, and so I always end up in a group with 11 other PUGs against a 11-12 man premade, and it's been nothing but Lords groups (who, instead of just winning, farm all 48 of us before winning just to rub it in). I'm with Michael on this one, about to swear off CW until they divide the group and solo queues. Have never had less fun in this game since the group queues were taking on PUGs in normal play, and again, we would get 12 man Lords groups farming PUGs.
Go Steiner and Sync drop with us! I don't bother doing solo in CW at all... Like you said, not till they split the queues.
Our DC contract expires tomorrow, honestly considering asking my roommate (who leads our house unit) to just make us a Clan faction instead, since they're the ones who're stomping us every time, but it won't change the fact that my "unit" consists of two people who play a lot, and a bunch of people who are barely even newbies at this point. Just kinda demoralized at the moment, especially since I want the last 25 gift bags, but it's just not gonna happen like that. I think if I spent 25 matches getting stomped by Lords groups, it'd be enough to make me stop playing
Can't have that and it's why I moved units. I'd rather be with a small-mid sized group of skilled friendly players than a huge group or linger on in a situation that makes the game not fun.