Now my own thoughts:
FAF isn't the game I want to have but I am stuck with. I really dislike the efficiency simulator aspect, as I come from the original TA. It was way more about tactical decisions and unit composition as FAF is. But to my knowledge there is no usable TA version around anymore so FAF it is. Credit where credit is due, FAF has its glorious sides!
Now about my experiences when I started about 4 weeksa go. Sobering is the best word to describe them. You come into the custom lobby and there are only camping games. Not what the tactician in me wants. I play Setons because it is the most action packed map aviable. I get raped and flamed because 600-700 players are 5 leagues above my skill level even though I am ranked the same for some reasons. In other games I tried to prevent seal clubbing parties by being outspoken and begging overly experienced players to leave. Got seal clubbed anyway, as predicted.
Hosting games myself is out of the question, I am too unexperienced. Still tried, no one joined. Reasons unknown.
In the end I had 1-2 very fun games on maps usually not hosted where the balance was somewhat okay.
Went for 1v1. As in my first post, that experience was pretty hard too. But at least I got some good games out of it.
The community is very weird. In lobby chats you have a person talking back from time to time but most of the time it is like talking to a wall. Russians spamming the team chat in Russian even though you beg them to talk in English. Ocasional flaming. The Client chat room 'aeolus' has a very weird toxicity to it and everybody seems to know each other so I don't dare to ask anything. Newbie chat is deserted. Here and there I met with friendly players but really just here and there.
Pretty sobering all in all...