We still start with too much energy compared to the original version, I expect this to be corrected.
As it is now, I never start with energy, since I would lose one unit in spoilage. But I do vary my starting with food and smithore, depending on how the mountains are formed and also on my first-round rank (if it's 1st or 2nd, there's a good chance that I can't buy any food from the shop against my cut-throat rivals

).
When the energy amount gets corrected, I may choose an "empty" plot first, too, and if it turns out to have high crystite, it gets its chance to get into production too.
So I play with no strict rule, more with a feeling, just like Roger Federer...
