This game in particular definitely makes me see why so many modern board games use a deck of modifier cards rather than a dice roll. I never really got it before, but knowing that you will get some good and some bad modifiers and that they will balance out would really make this game feel less swingy.
Hi - have you incorporated the updated changes from the errata in your playthrough? FYI - GMT is offering an errata kit on its website and should get delivered later this year but I believe they have posted the changes already.