While I understand it being the case on the Masquerade - I just avoid grabbing masks altogether once the first ‘2-masks’ ball is gone - I am really surprised that is the case about the wharf! Securing its access is one of the first thing I do, as I like to rush that map and get those not too expensive victory points with the associated little reward. Actually, I felt this map might be unbalanced, giving the first player too big of an advantage because of that. Maybe that’s not the case actually, though?
I am switching to this thread, in an attempt to avoid @Dave_Perkins management issues on his tournament one!