Regarding the starting army in SoD, it was recently said that if Shakti has three stacks, expect trouble, but if Valeska has 4 archers and they aren't built up, then everything will be great :)))
It meant that if the opponent gets Valeska with 4 crossbowmen + they are not yet built up in the city, the chances of victory increase.
And anyway, it's just a joke :D