cookie cutter build... interesting turning point.
If I look at the scoreboard there are often different persons on top... 1h, 2h, cav, ... depends mainly on map, e.g. cav at city map will be probably not so usefull. My 1h/board is at siege much better than in battle because of the corridors, rooms... its narrow. So on top should be the best skilled player with the best fitting build for a specific map.
I play different builds (2h, 1h/board/throwing, throwing, polearm) because it is fun to play differently. But I want always a viable build. I dont want a 2h who loose all 2h duells. So imho its normal to think about a good build for a specific class. You think about how you want to play and then you choose the build. The "how to play" is very depending on the weapon.
The rl hoplits mainly fighted with spear and shield... if the spear was broken they used the sword. The main formation was the phalanx. Also they used javelines. (Wikipedia). They used that (build) because it was viable. If we build a hoplite the question is whether the build is viable on m&b maps. But imho it is good to think about the best build for a hoplit if you want to play a hoplit.
