"only XL-2"

Since there is a split in opinions regarding the choice of Castles – either a fixed order or random – the most optimal solution would be to implement both Castle selection schemes. With the option to choose the scheme after each restart. This way, the interests of the "losing" side will be taken into account, and they won't be completely disregarded ("the winner" in the vote shouldn't get everything). And it will also be more diverse.

Yes, I agree.

Most likely, it will be like this:
red chooses the template (the player marked in blue in the table starts eliminating templates, the last choice is for red)
blue chooses the method for selecting the starting Castle: random (the color changes upon restart, the first generation is based on the color in the table) or standard fixed order (the player marked in blue in the table starts eliminating templates first, chooses a Castle from the three remaining, then the second player chooses a Castle from the two remaining and announces the color they want to play as).

With this arrangement, there shouldn't be any "disadvantaged" players:rolleyes: