Okay, now I think the game is balanced according to battle. It is the game mode where every single class is somewhat viable and playable, from horse thrower to shielder. Now let us think of some differences between battle and a Strategus battle.
1) Armour. This difference might not be as severe on NA as on EU, but the average armour in Strat is like 70+, from what I have played on NA 1 and NA Strat, there is probably a 15 armour difference for you at least as well. Immediately reduces perceived effectiveness of any cut weapons.
http://c-rpg.net/index.php?page=strategusbattlesarchive#!?page=strategusinfobattleroster&id=5269Two top players on the left and top player on the right are polearmers. Does this mean that polearms are OP, nope, it means that they used a 36p awlpike, which is extremely good at racking up kills against plate. They are also probably the best 3 awlpikers in the game, which brings me two my next point. (Also, Ferdinand in the third spot is me on a level 28 1h no shield, no brag)
2) Individual player skill, who gets the top spot just depends on who's playing.
http://c-rpg.net/index.php?page=strategusbattlesarchive&view=list#!?page=strategusinfobattleroster&id=5128Top 3 on the left are 2h, top 5-6 on the right are shielders I believe. Yet I can almost guarantee you that if any of the 3 awlpikers mentioned above would have played, they would've taken the top spots.
3) Most importantly, the fact that there are respawns, that there is organization and communication. Pike is the best weapon for me in a Strat battle, simply because I always get to use it in the perfect situation. Surrounded by closely packed teammates, fighting a group of enemies, that situation lasts for an hour straight in a good battle. How is that even remotely close to what happens on a battle server. Or the respawning cav, which consistently harrasses the infantry. Ranged usually plays way less of a decisive role in strat fights, you never have to clutch a round against multiple class enemies. Strat battles, let alone Strat sieges just have very little to do with pub battle.
I have not nearly exhausted all the points I can make on this, but arguing that 1h is not OP because they don't top in three posted Strat battles is beyond retarded. Shielders are the class that benefits least from Strat battles of the main classes. Worst cav defence, there is cav all over the place. Best ranged defence, ranged often plays a minor role and there are respawns which makes getting shot for half your hp less significant. Lowest damage, which makes killing 70 body armour people a slow process compared to 41p morningstars or 36p awlpikes. Lowest reach, which in consistent group fights filled with pokey weapons makes it very hard to dish out damage, again the consistent group fights are caused by respawning and commanding and are minor part of the average battle round. 1h is a good 1 vs 1 class, but there barely are 1 vs 1's.
Ever noticed how high damage weapons (awlpikes, great mauls) get a lot of kills and low points and low damage weapons (1h) get a lot of score and fewer points? If one were to look at Strat battles for balance, throwers would require a buff, horse archers, any agi build, any cut weapon, any light horse, should I go on? By the way, I am not arguing that 1h is overpowered, just critical of the argument used.
