Community servers and duel servers kept Warband's multiplayer side alive for at least 3-4 years. People learned, discovered new techniques and implement them into the multiplayer's itself so yeah It's not duelist's game BUT they should add some duel servers for all of us because we can't focus on movements, techniques and 1v1 - 2v1 situations on skirmish and TDM. Even clans accepted their applications after they saw what they can do in duel mode.
Only thing that Taleworlds did in Warband multiplayer is nerfing the Vaegir archer equipments because they can drop scimitar for free and get a shield in return.
Did you ever noticed that Empire Archer Militia spawns with 2 MELEE weapon no matter what you choose for your perks. They will be fix that for sure but you know.
Equipment swaps were important in MP Warband and now it's slower than ever. We have perks now but they are not that great if you compare them with custom equipment system. It limits your options.
Multiplayer Warband was successful and that's because players improved it, changed it and put something into that. There was a system in this game and everyone was happy about mechanics that game provided them. Only thing Taleworlds could do is implement that system already exist in MP Warband and add some new mods like skirmish. It's a new game, we are now in a different era but sometimes change is not that good.