First, some people say certain gods can't rush, but that has been proved wrong. I've even done Hades rushes. And Vagabond_Night would do Isis Anubite rushes. Here are what I find to be the most important traits of a successful rush.
Make sure you raid him hard if you are on a defensive map and don't let him get to his second or thired mines. Well, that's basically it. If any of you experts want to add something go on ahead. [This message has been edited by Cicero_ (edited 02-29-2004 @ 07:31 PM).]
Know how you are going to rush your opponent; if they are Isis, Hades or a defensive civilization, you're going to need to do something other than your typical rush. During the days that Isis was overpowered, I would get an early advance with only a couple of villagers on food and more on wood. I used the extra wood and got safeguard and watch tower very quickly. And for 150 wood, and 75 gold, you can spam towers pretty well. I would like to kill his gold tower quickly and just mass towers around it. So, know your opponent and know what you can do alternatively to your common rush.
Make sure your forward base isn't noticed before atleast one building is complete. If you're spotted, your enemy knows where you are coming from. With Loki, I'll send my ulf run in on one side and run right out making it look like I'm going to build there, but, I run to the other side and build up. He will most likely fortify that area heavily and leave the other areas with less than normal. I don't know how many times my rush has been foiled by good scouting.
Second most important thing in my opinion. If he slips to that second gold mine when you are trying to hold him off of his first, you are in a little bit of hot water. On maps like Watering hole, I tend to build a wall at the 'entrance.'
I can't remember the last time a decent rusher gave me more than 20 seconds without him attacking me. Letting him build up will bring a huge hassle upon you. He might build walls or towers or etc. So, I best advise you keep the pressure on, especially on the economy.
Ok, let's say you are Gaia, and you are rushing. Now, you need to use your economic advantage to your best. Get as many economical techs as you can. And get channels so you can get your villagers close to your enemy's base or if you are Oranos, have a villager go forward and build a skypassage and etc. Basically; if you are rushing as Isis, not building a monument in your forward base would not be smart because you could use the advantage of him not being able to cast a gp like pistelence on your barracks.
So, that tc looks nice and vulnerable? I remember playing TOAO_Ryfang and going right for his tc immediatley. I got it down, but his turma killed most of my units. So, I had no army, and he had no tc. Army>
-Cicero's Fourth Philippic [106 B.C.-43 B.C.]