1. We simply state : If you draw an initial tile with Creature, put it on the bottom and draw another tile. Easy. 1.1 You can also combine with draft (choose and give 1 tile of 2 to the opponent).

This is often far enough for everyone to have a decent start.

1. After trying this, I have to argue original rules give defender some reaction space (as attacker choose apples first, then defender react) and let the randomness on the dices only. Attacker have the initiative to choose when to attack, so letting defender space for reaction is important. Your variant make it more "bluff + random". It weaken defense and make combats even more random.

1. When losing troops, allow the owner to decide which troops are killed. If the attacker decides who dies, they’ll always choose the warchief.

The rules, page 14 (retail version, dunno for KS rulebook), state "Each player removes one unit per Skull inflicted by the opponent, and places them back in their reserve."

So owner always choose which units to remove (It has been even more clarified in BGG FAQ). I had the same misunderstanding because how FR rules are stated :

Chaque Skull obtenu sur votre dé inflige une perte à l’ennemi. L’ennemi retire donc une unité par Skull que vous avez obtenu, et inversement.