Bombs and railers are pricks when it comes to being chased down for your emeralds. I mean, it's easy finding the emeralds, but somewhat the last one is always lost and someone else ends up picking it up. Anyways, I tend to collect shields for protection (Invinc. and reflective blue shield are my best friends for that situation).
Yes, I do that as well. But what is important to know, is if the emeralds are really worth it to be collected? E.g. If your skin is Tails and you're in Nimbus Ruins, going super would be tremendous, but not if you're sonic. Meanwhile it's the reverse for Lime Forest; you need the speed to get the very few rings the map has to offer. AND also meanwhile, it would be worthwhile to be super while in Twisted Terminal as Knuckles as the map has plenty of excess rings that really suit's Knuckles' play style.
And on top of all this, you will need to look at your team to consider if you need to be an emerald collector during the game. Short games are best left without emeralds, while long games are best with the emeralds found. Is there another emerald collector too? Are they on your team? If not, you'll expect them to have some sort of shield (And a lot of weaponry and rings in their arsenal) So you'll have to play conservatively or plan a surprise attack.
Oh, you'll need to generally stay away from the other team (This means taking VERY short trips into the opponent base) and try to pick up the weapon panels from the other opponents or the opponent base.
And to add my own moment, I managed to get a low time in Slumber Circuit.
Yes, Slumber Circuit IS fun if you know what you're doing with NiGHTS mode. To be honest, nobody plays it enough, and then they don't understand it enough.
4 Laps in 3:09.28
It's the first time attack video I've seen of any sort of NiGHTS theme stage in SRB2. So maybe this will help enlighten those around.