Japan would be cool!
I completely agree, yes things need some polishing but the bones of this game are great and I have no doubt it will only get better. We are playing a game still in development and we all know that, but it is perfectly playable now.
The best counter should be skirmishers which are heavily represented in the game ... and as long as we implemented a system whereby the elephants could panic and trample their own men I think it would be interesting ...