This game is not melee oriented xDI think 8v8 would be best gameplay and fun wise, Bannerlord doesnt have to be like every other esports format, if you look at sprts you see player numbers fitting for the game. And my point is in a melee oriented game some more is better. Of course the obvious downside is organisation of players and that alone might make it unfavourable, well.. Warband survived with it so i´d give it a shot
Warband survived it but the player never actually went anywhere.