First let me say I held off on buying this game but always followed it's progression. Finally took the plunge with Legendary Heroes and I am impressed. The initiative system is superb. The city building system (snaking) is also superb. I've been playing with dense insane monsters and expert AI, I think I'm about ready for ridiculous AI. I'm having a blast but I want more! Here are several suggestions in no particular order.
1. Please allow trading between heroes anywhere within your empire. With every turn being a season long, there is no reason a speedy courier couldn't run items back and fourth between heroes. Make it an early tech if you must but I personally would just naturally allow it.
2. The army icons on the left side of the screen need to better represent which units have moved and which have not. Maybe a little green foot superimposed on top of the ones which haven't moved.
3. We need better control over the random map parameters. Things such as water, mountains and essence prevalence would be good. On smaller maps with fewer players there seems to be a tendency for maps to have long snake shaped tentacles with the player placed at the very end far away from the next city placement (perhaps I've just been unlucky).
4. Tactical combat could use some more love. First, the swarm mechanic feels overpowered. The effect should be lessened for units that are in front of the enemy. Slightly increased for units that are on the side of the enemy. The maximum effect should be for units that are behind the enemy. The overall effect of a completely surrounded enemy should be less than what it is now. Next, I would (if at all possible) add larger maps and terrain bonuses/penalties. I'm not a fan of having no setup phase in combat. Worse yet is armies starting right on top of one another on small maps. I understand there was a recent change here that made armies start closer for 'teh axchun' but it completely throws out a large chunk of tactical gaming in formation and maneuver. At least give us a setup phase.
5. Evaluate ranged items (magic and bows) tech tree positioning to better allow incorporation of ranged units in to early armies. Off the top of my head I would move every 1st tier ranged weapon to a lower spot in the tree. To fill gaps I would add another ranged weapon to the tree where appropriate.
6. Scrap the current manual upgrade system and use the shop window so we can select exactly what we want for the equivalent cost. This should include equipment (rings, amulets etc) as well.
7. More armor tiers. Leather > Ring > Chain > Light Plate > Full Plate
8. Add base weapon tiers to match the above armor tiers. Add polearms and pilums.
9. On the subject of more items, add tower shields. While you're at it, add the missing +lightning damage equipment. More interesting items and equipment are never a bad thing in a game like this.