Maybe I have been lucky but in two years I have only once booked and been told it was full and the website was wrong. I have booked in the day before quite a few times, if there is a problem they will let you know anyway the same as when they confirm the booking.The torch is basically a necessity.
Games are won or lost by getting or not getting the objectives nothing to do with peacocks unless the objective is in there.
Basements can bottleneck sometimes but there is usually a way round and you can push through any choke point if you try.
Dont camp on the concourse like some of the highcap heroes or on the balcony. There is opportunities
to move around everywhere just explore.
Main thing is have fun, play the objectives dont get trapped into pointless standoffs.
And dont fall down the stairs it hurts.