While I respect Dr. Praetorious suggestions, I'm inclined toward some sort of NAP as Hoplo mentioned to prevent any sort of early nastiness. We've slaved over setting up these start locations for fairness and directness, I frankly don't want anyone tampering with em, moving anything around, or any such thing.
Ideally we noobs would like a no vet first attack NAP, prohibiting them from any sort of first attack. That would calm jittery noob nerves. Let us expand with molestation, and when we are ready strike the first blow. But Somehow I don't think the Vets would care for this.
Failing that, Hoplo's idea of a hand's off capitals for x number of turns is fine with me. Frankly, though I don't think we noobs will be risking too much. But a hand's off captitals should sooth any anxious nerves!