How about removing launch timers, making fights the same day, and require a minimum of 20 people to channel a pacify.

Imagine having to defend all your territories every single day and not knowing who is going to show up where or with how many. It forces big alliances to split their zergs up to defend all their land at the same time.

This is a real change that doesn't force negatives down anyone's throats.

Increase the food each additional territory costs to maintain. Decrease energy rewards per each additional territory owned. There are many things that can be done instead of just penalties. But whatever, I guess alliances will just find yet another work around to everything SBI does.