Except for max-Griffin Conservatory (or even pre-, if the layout is not ideal). A couple of times I took logistics out of reflex before Earth - and lost several days, unable to bring myself to take a big Griffin Conservatory with a medium army (there was simply nothing to grind another 4 levels on).
But luck plays a bigger role - many consistently take control towards Wisdom.
Well, I personally usually try to gather a bunch of skills, i.e. I take everything, well, if you didn't take the Griffin Conservatory, you'll catch up with a "pawn" in a week, no big deal ) But without a full set of decent skills, it can be oh so tough.