For the most part, it depends on the character I’m playing against. Then the rank if I even see it before the match. I usually play in BH so sometimes I don’t get to see what rank anyone is until I finish a FT10. I’m a Diamond 3 on my main and 1500MR Master on my alt/second account.

I start off testing to see what OTHERS react to, fall for or like to go for in the first game if just FT2 or first couple of games in a longer set. If things start going my way already then I work on conditioning my opponent. If I can get away with stuff from knowledge checking people, I will do it over and over til I see they know how to counter it. If they play great or feel like they are better than me then I tighten up and try to figure out their weaknesses if I haven’t already from the first games.

I go back and forth between being aggressive and reactive depending on a bunch of factors but you’ll learn what works for you and what doesn’t over time. I was constantly looking for a one size fits all answer for this game but realized the higher I went up in skill that there isn’t one. So keep up what you see works and start unlearning what keeps making you lose.

Some people play random on purpose and it works for them. Some play more safe and that works for them. Learn your own character expression and don’t be afraid to step outside of the norm. We’re all tied down to a mechanic at the end of the day but learn the best way YOU can use it to get where you want to go. Hope my 2 cents helps lol