Looks like it's some sort of conquest mode, and that's a huge plus. Flying numbers will probably go away, which is nice, except for the "wtf how many hits you can take" problems.
I think however that given the system is extremely similar to m&b, they really are going to need a way to prevent the vets to make the newcomers RQ immediately.
Maybe a "Veteran mode", that would essentially be an handicap like less HP or less gold for equipment, but would give the player bragging rights like a star in the score ladder next to the nickname...
Or maybe separating player levels by matchmaking, but that's pretty bad.