Kewl archers should be overpowered. Sounds to me like they are WAD.

You can build archers, they just messed up the tech tree. They added a military tech after fortifications that let's you build archery ranges(required to train archers) and equip crude bows, but shortbow tech is still on the weapon tree....

Ah, I see. So the Master Archers faction trait is completely useless right now.

I did notice the new restrictions on building parties and larger, and I really like it.

I have to agree, bows are overpowered.  If it wasn't for the other changes in 1.09n (archery ranges, expensive bows), it'd still dominate the game more than they already do in 1.09n.

As it is, scraping together the money for a bow in the early game delays my use of the bow, and I wasn't able to get those bow units I used to buy about immediately (my kingdom does archery).  So the early game is definitely more challenging now, especially with full strength monsters to contend with (no more 2 hp darklings to brush aside).

Heroes being able to purchase bows immediately, but not units took a little getting used to though.  It makes sense, though (early game balance-wise).  Heroes are simply overpaid units anyways, so grabbing them for bow duty isn't a bad compromise.

The only change I'd like to see is being able to buy crude bows in the shop, if you've chosen the archery option.  I haven't used one yet, but 50GP might be enticing if they aren't too wimped out (say 4-6 attack points, similar to other early game weapons).

I'm liking the new 'block/resist' rules for shields though.  Nice to see that 'block' message popping up in combat.

I'm thinking Strength overamplifies bows.  It makes sense to have it increase damage (strength represents your skill at attacking), but it shouldn't outstrip the other weapons completely.

1.09n is still a beta, so it's up to us to suggest how (un)powerful we want bows to be in 1.1.  As well as how powerful they are in relation to other choices (sword, axe, staff, etc.).

This is why we need the equipment to have various advantages and disadvantages for each type of attack, as well as a research for different types of troop skills. That way you could design a troop more resistant to archers. For example, you could research tower shields, and then research a turtle skill or a shield wall skill so that the troop is more resistant to arrow fire (while perhaps being more susceptible to other kinds of attack).

i actually dislike this. i can see the good intentions, but i think the game needs more large squads, not less. this doesn't stop you training your best units, it just slows down battles by filling the screen with individuals. at the very least i'd prefer it if the qualifications were lowered (three guys in level 2 towns, instead of level 3s), but generally i think these intentions would be much better achieved by simply increasing training times and expanding the "barracks" type buildings that reduce these times in the higher level towns.