like others have said there is only so much ACM, that means "Air Combat Maneuvers"   a "rope" is not ACM, you use ACM to "rope" someone.
  think of a duel as a dance, where your objective is to get behind your partner, you need to
   judge your nme's E-state correctly, because if you cant do this The "ACM" that you use to out Maneuver your opponent will be wrong or mistimed giving them the kill shot.
 initial  Merge,is very crucial, this is where you will ether kill or be killed, learn to merge. 
if you ever see me on, same name ingame, I would not mind at all going to TA and working on merging techniques.