I think what Hekko has mentioned is apparent for most of the types of combat in NW. He stated that melee doesn't live up to its potential, and while that is true, it can also be true for just about any combat style there is.
When speaking of artillery, the limited turn speed, as well as the inability to move your character while aiming makes it much harder to utilize the cannon to its full potential. I mean personally I am extremely disappointed that I am unable to suicide via cannon anymore. That, while being my main source of entertainment, was extremely important to me as a cannoneer, and to have these abilities limited or removed saddens me greatly.
Just as well, no jump crouch???!?!
A lot of the most entertaining things about MM has been removed or limited in NW, and while NW is still extremely well made and a great game, I feel that the little quirks and the refined combat systems are what truly made the MM we loved for so long.