Start behind the LE.

Ugh, and I was wondering what kind of maps you play on, where you have to fight your way to strong neutral creatures as early as week 1. "Art of Strategy" is the sweetest map for Wing, it's on this map that I built up a great elf army on the "Heroes of Might and Magic" game. "Disputed Island" is more challenging, but choosing elves is still possible. And you have to fight phoenixes there, at the earliest by the middle of week 3, earlier than that it's just impossible. Trying to "hit and run" with an elf is so dangerous that only an incompetent player would do it. Kill 7 scouts/assassins/hunters, add them to your list of sworn enemies, and woe to that dark elf who tries to "hit and run" you.