What do you recommend? Why? I have ignored iron flesh for many gens now, and due to the fact that I usually wear light mail or less for armor, I feel that it would be a poor investment in non-strategus battles. If anyone else has taken a build like this past 32, I would love you hear your recommendations and anecdotes.
Currently
STR 18
AGI 24
3 Ironflesh
Power Strike 6
Shield 6
Athletics 8
Weapon Master 6
125 One-hand
119 Polearm
Trying to figure out what exactly to do at the big 35. I'll possibly adding another proficiency into the mix (either Two Handed or Crossbow) myself.
I'd say that while Crossbow proficiency adds versatility, Polearms in and of themselves are much more diverse in form and function, and would lean towards getting that next. Though.. even with just 7 WM, which you could get by 34, you could have a 120/108/98 split between three disciplines (@ 35 120/116/112). For 33, you'll find yourself at 120/93, which isn't terrible for Crossbow accuracy and adds a decent amount of average/min damage for polearms. I recommend using a STF to dink around with prof- PS/ATH identical to build, experimental prof values only, just leave out your 1h (80 crossbow? 100 polearm?).
If your main concern is the threat which cavalry poses to you, then go Polearm (first). Hoplite is incredibly fun for how simple it is, and having some Polearm proficiency actually offers a pretty absurd amount of variety in Battle and Strat. Just look at the shop page for Polearms compared to Two Handed or One Handed. You've got some pretty long knockdown weapons, lots of non-Unbalanced axes (one of which doubles as the longest blunt weapon), the longest pokey thing in the game, Staves, Spears, 2-directional weapons the list goes on. Shieldbreakers, Anti-Cav, even a token Crushthrough and some rad Knockdown gear- in terms of a variety of playstyles afforded by a group of weapons, Polearms are ahead.