Afaik there's no significant update related to combat system (SP) since release, what currently we have is a same thing what we got since release. So claiming that devs only listen to 1% of playerbase is just a baseless accusations because they did not actually made any changes to the combat system (exception to spear brace for MP, I think they only implement it to balance MP against cavs), so they no really take any suggestions from playerbase.
The only reason I think of why they are not working on any combat related matters is because its not their priority. Most of updates over the year are about optimization, crash fixes, ai pathfinding, quest, faction/democracy balancing, etc. Most recent is castle battle and terrain system. Again more on content and stability, no combat related updates.
I dont see them making any combat system update in near future or until they are done with their priorities.
Based on your paragraphs, it seems you haven't been playing and following along since release. The devs made and experimented with combat changes on a weekly basis. And they DO listen to only their selected 1% playerbase. Once in a while they will take other people's advice into consideration. Were you invited to test the spear brace for mp? Were you invited to other privileged testings? If you've played since the beginning, you would know that the following existed:
wk1: cav beats spears
wk2: spears beat cav
wk3: cav beats spears
wk4: spears beat cav
TW gets pulled left and right like parents fighting over their children or like a love triangle.
This is all due to the stupid 1% that has greased the dev's ears.
Ai combat changes:
-Ai does a full charge
-Ai decides the game numbers and take an offensive or defensive position
-Ai calculates the length of the enemy's weapon and either moves in closer or further depending on the length
-Ai slowly "marches" forward in formation until getting close to the enemy. Then does a full charge. If ai is losing, they will retreat back 10 to 20 paces and regroup.
-Ai can shoot range over ally
-Ai can't shoot range over ally
-Ai cav blindly charges in. Goes a short distance and come charging again
-Ai cav blindly charges in. Goes a far distance and come back.
-Ai cav goes back to a medium distance
-Ai horse archer switches to melee weapons when engaging and switches back accordingly to the situation
-Ai infantry switches to polearm when facing cav. Switches back when facing infantry.
-Shields block on back with no damage
-shields don't block on back
-shields block on back with some damage
-two shields possible
-only one shield
-two shields possible. Thank goodness. Please do not revert. Allow the player to decide.
-shieldwall fights back agressively
-shieldwall doesn't fight back
-shieldwall fights back some
These are only some of the many things.
If you followed along, you would've known that so many changes were the result of the 1%. You can tell because most of the good recommendations and suggestions don't get implemented. The ones that do get implemented are the whiners who say, "Cav is too strong." "Spears are too strong against cavs." You see these comments and then the changes take place next week.