Could i suggest that maybe the format of the elemental empire is the problem as it makes balance difficult maybe just haveing the UI (user interface) like Order and Chaos would help as we could change the cost of units easier.

Could I also suggest that from what I can see and from experience that their are only 3 deves CJ brock and some one else (I think) It started off as Stickwar 1 that was made and then left CJ expanded the game and made stick empires that he knew needed constant attention balancing hackers etc have all got to be watched changed nerfed buffed etc. I fell sorry for CJ as I feel the Game is too big for his dev team. But congrats on getting this far and I have total respect. What I am saying is that does CJ have the workforce to run SE because remember it is a business as well.
Disclaimer:

I am not trying to upset anyone or offend SE OR CJ but this is my observation

P.s I apologise for my Grammar although I think that AI could read the bit about the devs fine

You should reread your post before posting it because right now i dont understand what youre talking about. The more i read it the less it sound as a suggestion.

And tec isnt a dev. He's a mod. Very different positions.

"Pay to lose"

You know fire start is still a thing lol.

It's less of a thing nowadays. I and other 2.3-.5 k'ers stopped using fire start as it's negatives outweighed its positives.
Explanation:
Fire's damage and projectile sucks.
Archer sword is less expensive and much more expendable
425-450
Swords continue to be more cost effective as 125-150 is bad especially when miners are desperate units from them.

Air start is better in the following ways.
1. If sword/arch happens: 400-425
Ele profits.
Air will more than likely take out an archer and/or miner before first 2 miners can make the second return of gold.
Increasing it by-
150 if miner dies: 575>400
Archer dies most likely followed by miner:
300+(150): 875>400- this means gg
If opponent goes sword to Ca-
425>400
This could increase gap dependent on opponent decision.
3 miners b4 ca puts me ahead later Eco.
4 miners might put us at the same
5 miners: I'm likely to kill a miner or two before ca is done. Putting him around the 3 miner Eco.

By order of greatest start to least for me goes:
1. 3 earths to castle air (long and occasional mid maps)
2. Air start (mid maps and small)
3. Fire (castle... More than likely I'd go air start)
4. Tree start (castle ((rarely)) to troll and for fun)

I am not sure if I am correct or not

but for me, I agree with pumu on some parts

I never use fire start since all those nerfs, and earth spam is usually the start that I go for . Sometimes air start as well.

But anyway, I don't use elemental in ranked anymore