I have not figured out how the handicap works, but there is something that is unbalancing the play.
There are many players, and I mean MANY, who does not understand the handicap system. Hell, I'm not even sure if I got it correct but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Here is what I have figured so far:
If you set your handicap to 95 (which many new players does) that means that you will do 5% less damage on your enemies, you will have a base health of 95 health points.
If you set your handicap to 50 that means that you will deal 50% less damage on your opponent, you will have a base health of 50 health points.
So, clarification...If you set handicap 5 you cannot kill someone with a machinegun
Hint: don't use handicap, not even experienced players do it so the effect of it gives nothing.
I Do
I have handicap of 80
it makes the game more harder
and stilll i own
and yes its very annoying that everyone leaves after 1 game of ownage
but that theire prob not mine
