Guide to Choosing the Best Starting Position in OpenFront.io

The choice of starting position in OpenFront.io can make or break your early-game snowball. Selecting terrain that maximizes your expansion potential while minimizing early threats will set the stage for a dominant performance. This guide covers the fundamental factors to consider and presents recommended spawn types, illustrated with examples.

Key Factors in Spawn Selection

1. Terrain Type

   • Plains (Grasslands): Lowest capture cost. Ideal for rapid expansion and population growth.
   • Highlands (Hills): Moderate cost; use only if plains are unavailable.
   • Mountains: Highest cost; generally avoid as a primary spawn unless you seek defensive advantage at the expense of growth.

2. Proximity to Other Players

   • Far from Opponents: Reduces early PvP skirmishes, allowing you to focus on PvE against bots.
   • Too Isolated: May limit immediate unoccupied lands and bot targets.

3. Map Location

   • Corners & Edges:
     • Advantages: One fewer flank to defend.
     • Trade-off: Fewer adjacent unoccupied tiles, slowing expansion.
   • Center:
     • Advantages: Maximum access to unoccupied lands and bots in multiple directions.
     • Trade-off: Surrounded on all sides; requires alliances or rapid blitz.

4. Bot Tier Proximity

   • Bots spawn in two tiers:
     • Lower-tier bots have less starting manpower; prioritize encircling them.
     • Higher-tier bots cost more to conquer later; deprioritize until you have surplus manpower.

Recommended Spawn Categories

Spawn Type	Terrain Preference	Threat Profile	Expansion Rate	Strategy
Plains Corner	Plains	Low	Moderate	Secure bots on two sides; turtle with defense posts then expand along border.
Plains Edge	Plains	Moderate	High	Capture adjacent bots quickly; use edge as natural barrier.
Plains Center	Plains	High	Very High	Blitz multiple bots; form alliances to mitigate multi-front pressure.
Highland Edge	Highlands	Moderate	Moderate	Accept slightly higher cost for added natural defense.
Mountain Corner	Mountains	Very Low	Slow	Defensive opening; build up population behind fortifications.

Spawn Selection Checklist

1. Scan for Plains within your view before clicking.
2. Identify Nearby Bots: Prioritize clusters of low-tier bots you can encircle.
3. Assess Player Density: Choose a gap between other players wherever possible.
4. Decide Flank Configuration:
   • Corner if you value safety.
   • Center if you value rapid growth and can secure alliances.
5. Finalize Spawn: Click to lock in once conditions match your preferred profile.

Execution After Spawning

1. Opening Expansion

   • Maintain manpower at 30–50% of cap for optimal growth; surge to ~75% when preparing a blitz.
   • Expand into unoccupied plains immediately.

2. Rushing Bots

   • Wait for sufficient manpower to avoid penalties from under-strength pushes.
   • Simultaneously attack multiple bots when possible.
   • Encircled bots surrender instantly—aim to cut off their only escape route.

3. Transition to Mid Game

   • Once bots are cleared, pivot to PvP or secure trade routes via ports.
   • Build cities to raise population cap and defense posts on vulnerable borders.

Choosing the right starting position—combining terrain, map location, and bot proximity—enables a powerful early-game snowball. Use corners and edges for safer, steadier growth, or center positions for explosive expansion when you can manage multiple fronts.

Citations
OpenFront.io Wiki: “Starting Position Choice” in Early Game section.