Then again skirmishers are just bad equipped infantry with nerfed weapons as it stands now. Take speed advantage as well? I cannot see where this will lead besides a change in meta (which will result in discussions like this one for the other nerfed classes). AFAIK light infantry IS faster than a skirmisher already, more numerous (in captain, not relevant here, but connected) and occasionally even better equipped for melee.
Maybe a healthy view would be: what is infantry supposed to be? In my book, a single infantryman is a bad idea. His equipment fits for interaction with other infantrymen. An archer, mounted troop or similar operate in far smaller groups or even commando-style alone or at least acts more individually and are equipped likewise. Is the same true for infantry? In my mind it always boils down to 'take and hold position' (but NOT alone) and 'storm the enemy in his position' (but again: not on your own). For me, an infantryman is not a good solo-class but I might be wrong here again.
What should the infantry class achieve? Shoot something? No, that is archer/skirmisher class. Mobility? No, that is cavalry for.
I guess part of the problem is that besides not being mobile and unable to shoot, inf must compete on archer/cav's turf. But by making it easier for INF to compete there, we devalue the other classes. Archers are already bad in melee (not the heavy type). If they are caught regularly by almost all other troop types AND their main weapon is useless versus INF w shield one on one...who would play an archer anymore?
Maybe part of this discussion should be "'What is inf good for in skirmish mode, what are its purpose and capabilities?'
And maybe someone could explain sth. to me: Are the classes you can pick in skirmish mode the same as in captain? If yes, the proposal of making INF quicker than archers is horrible, because if both modes are using the same unit stats and equipment imagine what shield infantry would do in such a match with each type of skirmisher in captain. THey would get ROFLstomped by a whole unit of buffed infantry regularly. Are they tied in that regard like change sth. in skirmish, then it will change sth. in captain as well?