Had a few minutes free, so decided to write down all my ideas with rationale. If any of them make sense to @TheKeeper or @Lord Thane you can use them.
1. Pop eats less food
Rationale: Running only 0.8:1 GH of troops with barracks was never an issue. Now, even with army home, I lose food at almost 2:1 farms. With army out, it's a crisis. I think if food consumption from population is reduced (12 peasants per food or even 18), people would hit more often. It would also make Gate less powerful, and dwarf more playable. Another thing is that with the introduction of undead, basically undead is the only race that gets to run however massive army it wants in terms of food upkeep. Undead are already pretty decent without no food, so it helps balance IMHO.
2. BF Penalty Doesn't Apply to 75% or even 80%
Rationale: If I get penalized hitting at 80% and also at 50%, I'm gonna prefer to hit at 50%. Get rid of the penalty at 80% and above, and you will see same size fighting a lot more, it's just how the incentive system works. You've given the stick, you need to now also give the carrot to entice people to behave a certain way.
3. Nerf Range at 50%
Rationale: If range is only 50% effective as compared to right now, it gives all parts of the combat a chance to fight. If range stays as is, increase upkeep of ranged units. If I could, I would run 70% of human archers due to how enticing 100% range without nerf is, even though they are a very cheap and disposable unit. After bow tech, they give 3 range and can take out many of enemy 14 melee units at double the efficiency they used to, why would I run expensive units? Running 70% archers as a human may sound absurd to many, as it was never even considered as a strategy, but seriously if I was not at war constantly I would love to test that out, in theory it's the best bang for your buck.
4. SOS Magic! Spell casting success at much lesser wiz:land and think about what to do about spells giving retals, it's too severe of a punishment. I don't think I've seen a single offensive spell all round except the famous flower treatment.
Rationale: Again, upkeep is a big thing here. Wanna run an army and wizzes? Gooooooood luuuuuck because you'll always be short of gold and food. 15:1 was GB level casting back in the day, now it's a bless? Farseeing 17:1? Why even have magic except for gate? PUHLEEEEZ do something, and do something now!
5. Give more orc units armour. Increase defense for elves.
Rationale: Quite self explanatory, I think most people will agree here. I don't know any orcs or elves that would play orc or elf again.
6. Fix Gnome forging speeds
Rationale: Again, self explanatory. Make them the cheap little disposable shits they are again. Right now rebuilding as a gnome is painful, I've heard. Just think about how that sounds, a gnome rebuilding is painful.
