Half the game is how you place your territories. Kjeld has improved the initial bonuses since I last played it, so that will hoepfully take away the previous advantage for playing first. Holding on to any continent worth more than 20 bonuses can win you the game, so a good strategy seeks to gain one of these during placement or before anyone else is able to gain one. Make sure you account for defensive dice, specially across water, which can break a seemingly overwhelming attack.