The strategy of this is no simpler than the strategy of a single vote system.

> Yes, but it specifically ends the "vote for a candidate you dislike instead of the one you do like" type.

> Your favorite is always included in your vote (assuming you like at least one candidate).

Ranking candidates would express preferences more than approval voting. But you advocated approval voting solely.

Yes, because RCV has issues: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_squeeze . Voting for your favorite candidate in RCV can help cause them to lose!

STAR is okay, but approval voting solves most of the issues with elections without being more complex.