@CandyShi I completely agree with your last line and would like to elaborate on it. Making the game easier for new players is fine although there is a fine line between being reasonable and just being over generous. If you make it too easy it becomes boring thus difficult to find interesting enough to continue.
@AlexI agree to an extent as he should join an alliance to grow and then create one. although he is raided as he is not in an alliance. I feel your point about allies is good although to elaborate on that If he doesn't get members in his alliance than he might as well be not in one thus making the alliance redundant. @Lord Didius
I feel that if you have a bounty on you you should be able to pay it off although still have a history of bounties as they are normally posted for a good reason. Although it is a tool for nations to use strategically. thus if you can pay it off it isn't very effective.
I think that you are not too late as time doesn't matter it's the strategy which is what i like about this game. Plus active nations do better than inactive ones thus rewarding active users.