A simple truth is that 90% of an army were conscripts/levies - troops with equipment that was practically never of quality.
Only nobles had the best armor, everyone else managed how they could. In fact, mercenaries and professional soldiers were the only one with what you could call "good" armor.
Thus, the very idea of taking a peasant and upgrading it for 50gold with equipment worth tens of thousands always displeased me.
Only noble/rich line of units should be able to upgrade to high level (and for a high price). Your average (and most numerous) troops should NOT be upgreadable to that level and with such equipment. Basically, up to lvl 3 or 4. And such expensive armor should actually be very protective, the expenditure of money must be justified.
It would make more sense.
Only nobles had the best armor, everyone else managed how they could. In fact, mercenaries and professional soldiers were the only one with what you could call "good" armor.
Thus, the very idea of taking a peasant and upgrading it for 50gold with equipment worth tens of thousands always displeased me.
Only noble/rich line of units should be able to upgrade to high level (and for a high price). Your average (and most numerous) troops should NOT be upgreadable to that level and with such equipment. Basically, up to lvl 3 or 4. And such expensive armor should actually be very protective, the expenditure of money must be justified.
It would make more sense.