Jebus Cross

If playing TE, all towns are playable (because external dwellings are easy to take). I wouldn't even dare call any weak. It comes down to playing with or without experience. If yes, then I wouldn't call Rampart weak. Kyrre's Logistics makes a difference in experience gain. Without experience, I agree Rampart is not great.
As for the claim that neutrals on week 2 are cannon fodder — I disagree. Sometimes you go into the center and can't break the block with anyone. Something like a horde of Titans )), or an army of Cyclops Kings. The template is very imbalanced imo. Some get ГО top-tier non-immunes, while others get Golds that are much harder to break. (or maybe a pile of ГО that you have to beat all at once (I had four at once!!!, killed them on 1-2-7 just because of Shakti and two Dungeon with an external KD)

Yesterday we had an interesting practice on Jebus Cross — I had 1-1-6 with 29 Wyvern Monarchs, bought 2 dwellings, 2 in external dwellings. And the wood was 4+12+12. On Jebus Cross, it's important to have wood at spawn. Imo more important than external dwellings.