Last patch focused mostly on Skirmish, next patch will be focusing on Captains. Meanwhile we are still working on perks and improving class identities. We want to end the Heavy Inf dominance to give all classes equal opportunity and edge.
Class identities are nice and theres alot of variation, but then you introduce a super heavy 50 armor unit that trashes all the identity there is. I accept identity as a reason why shock inf doesnt get shields, but for heavy units its a different story.
Infantry - Varyag
The varyag gets better throwables than the skirmisher on top of that 50 armor chunk. It gets a spear aswell making the warrior totally obsolete, except for the mace, but theres no point in going for warrior if you got the mega varyag tank. (which gets anti cav and skirmisher capabilities)
Cavalry
Same for heavy cav it does everything better than light cav, if its supposed to be a heavy bruiser why does it get lances and fast horses.
Meanwhile light cav doesnt get lances, when they are supposed to be the quick ones. (thats why i assume they got no shields) but all they get is spears which doesnt support a surprise high risk gameplay. Their horses arent even faster than the heavy ones.
Archers
Then heavy archers they do everything better than light archers. Its another class that gets fully trashed by something that does everything far better.
Combat
It introduces several combat issues like glances, insane shield health, removes melee counterplay to cav, makes it harder for archers to have impact and oneshots (not sure if this is a valid reason but i see alot of people crying)
Gold - Skirmish
Then the gold system for example sturiga warriors are 100g and varyags are 150g once you commit to them you cant swap to the brigand skirmisher line. Or make other changes at all, dont get me wrong they needed to increase in cost, if they didnt get another nerf.
Conclusion
The variety is there and i think you guys did a great job on the class system but its getting oppressed by heavy armor. The heavy armor values arent good for any gamemode, TDM its just frustrating getting farmed by a heavy armor unit. Siege for similar reasons. Captain mode gets dominated by heavy infantry, where it should fill in for the Total war spear man role.
I hope the heavy inf nerf is a big one, like at least 10 armor off of all heavy inf. (maybe bit more on oathsworn since that unit will do far better then.)