In general I agree with Ironhawk. LA nations generally have better stock troops (armor), while EA nations generally have better/higher access to magic. Limiting sites to 40 on top of heavy research will make it difficult.
On the other hand, it is a test game and we'll see if LA nations or bless nations just instantly dominate and then can continue to compete vs those magic nations who survive.
All EA nations should gang up on the LA nations anyway
After they stomp the nastiest bless nations.
By the way, when will nation selection occur?