If you don't manage to get the promotion, your pawn structure can get weakened greatly. What pieces you choose to use in placement sets the tone for the type of game you will play. In four player game, negotiation plays an important part. If possible, try to negotiate so you only have to deal with one opponent, instead of 3. Many nations have lost 2 front wars.
Variations Have pawns move like kings, instead of how they move in current rules.
Eliminate pawn promotion. If a player is the first to get their king to a square used to promote their pawn, they also win the game. For example, player 1 wins the game if they are first to get their king to either H8, H7, H6, H5, H4, H3, H2, H1, A1, B1, C1, D1, E1, F1, or G1. Players also get to use their knight pieces in this variant. In this variant, knights may be placed on board initially or be used for promotion material.