First i must say this mod is best Civilization-game i played. By far better than vanilla in every aspect, especially warfare-AI ( think it is mod top feature ), and even better than some nice mods for Civ IV.
But also i see two major flaws here preventing mod to be a best strategy game. It is not mod-specific flaws, but inherited from main game, however. But in mod, since we have now far better and competent battle AI, this flaws become very significant ( vanilla-AI so dumb that no any point to talk about balance and overall mechanic issues without fixing he first ).
First issue always starts to act since certain point of every party passed. Once civilization productive capabilities and number of units become so high so even surpass every-turn losses, all wars turn into pointless everlasting clogged queues of tens of units that cant reach a narrow ( or relatively narrow ) frontline. No any civilization can realize their military and productive potential in this circumstances. AI-players even processing science due to wars with formidable ( in paper ) foes, because they already always have all the units they can to have ( up to limits ). Things go better and we can see some advancing of stronger side if we have long enough and free from obstacles ( like mountains, lakes ) frontline that can absorb all units both sides have. Major cause of this situation i think is one-unit-per-tile system and lack of ability to stack units at least to some limits ( like a brigades consisting 3-4 regular units ). But I dont know is there instruments to make it or not. Moreover, it is not enough to just represent the stacking-ability and make all needed balance adjustments. Also need to teach AI to properly use this new ability - when to stack, when no stack.
Second issue bounded with unit tiers. We have so few tiers for entire civilization-history, that one-tier higher unit literally overwhelm his counterparts with no chances, regardless of strategy, tactics, economy. Yeah, most of my games i win against deity-AIs is because i catch some right technology-timing and beat knights by lancers, tercios by fusiliers etc. Not only because of strategy, tactics, right defence placements of cities. One alone It almost impossible due to point one when fighting similar-sized enemy.
This is my thoughts.
But also i see two major flaws here preventing mod to be a best strategy game. It is not mod-specific flaws, but inherited from main game, however. But in mod, since we have now far better and competent battle AI, this flaws become very significant ( vanilla-AI so dumb that no any point to talk about balance and overall mechanic issues without fixing he first ).
First issue always starts to act since certain point of every party passed. Once civilization productive capabilities and number of units become so high so even surpass every-turn losses, all wars turn into pointless everlasting clogged queues of tens of units that cant reach a narrow ( or relatively narrow ) frontline. No any civilization can realize their military and productive potential in this circumstances. AI-players even processing science due to wars with formidable ( in paper ) foes, because they already always have all the units they can to have ( up to limits ). Things go better and we can see some advancing of stronger side if we have long enough and free from obstacles ( like mountains, lakes ) frontline that can absorb all units both sides have. Major cause of this situation i think is one-unit-per-tile system and lack of ability to stack units at least to some limits ( like a brigades consisting 3-4 regular units ). But I dont know is there instruments to make it or not. Moreover, it is not enough to just represent the stacking-ability and make all needed balance adjustments. Also need to teach AI to properly use this new ability - when to stack, when no stack.
Second issue bounded with unit tiers. We have so few tiers for entire civilization-history, that one-tier higher unit literally overwhelm his counterparts with no chances, regardless of strategy, tactics, economy. Yeah, most of my games i win against deity-AIs is because i catch some right technology-timing and beat knights by lancers, tercios by fusiliers etc. Not only because of strategy, tactics, right defence placements of cities. One alone It almost impossible due to point one when fighting similar-sized enemy.
This is my thoughts.