Spider, there is practically no imbalance in the paths there. There are exceptions, but even there, it's not so hopeless due to the simpler mechanics of the zones (fewer chances to block) and 3k guards per passage, allowing you to break through anywhere on level 1 + a greater number of resources/external markets/mines give you a chance to come back by quickly building a Grand Mage.
+1000. You can often try to arrange a rest after a meeting if things are going badly, like Redd did recently.

