1. I'm all for it, but I really doubt it will change anything. Still worth a shot though.
2. I'm conflicted about this. On the one hand, it would be really great for teamwork and would very much help different classes function differently. But on the other hand it just doesn't really fit in with the game's mechanics. However I would be for the addition of "special" abilities being given for the support classes. Things kind of like this:
http://forum.meleegaming.com/suggestions-corner/nudge-and-general-off-hand-fun/msg583456/#msg583456Also in general, it would be nice to see people have more reasons for playing support classes. Pikes and LS are more or less OK (though I wouldn't be opposed to a little buff
), but primarily shielders have had a huge portion of their abilities stripped away. Especially in regards to their ability to "counter" archers. Right now, they not only don't counter archers, but they have little better defense against them than a wiggle dancing 2Her.
Essentially I'd like to see more classes get abilities (similar to the off-hand stuff paul talks about in that link) that are basically useless in 1v1, but can help your buddy(s) get hits in.
In particular I think the board shields could use some work. They SHOULD be (imo) the perfect support shield. Very slow, so they can't really duel well, but very very tough, and allow even a low shield skill shielder to block 100% of arrows coming in from at least a 90 degree arc in front of him (possibly even 120 degrees). Something like this
http://forum.meleegaming.com/suggestions-corner/dropping-board-shield-creates-set-up-pavise/msg554256/#msg554256 would also be fantastic.
3. OH GOD PLEASE YES. Battle is atrocious with no defined goals other than "kill the enemy". This is another way of telling everyone "Sit around and camp the whole map if you want to win." It also is one of the main reasons infantry get their asses handed to them regularly in battle in horrible ways. Infantry are the best possible class for holding and taking key positions, not for the kiting ranged and sneaky cav fest that is battle.
4. I'm not really sure about this, as I like the idea of hybrids. However, I do agree that the skill system is desperately in need of an overhaul.
5. YES. Right now, heavy armor gives and medium armor are almost identical, save a little bit of armor and weight difference. Heavy infantry performs basically the exact role that medium and light infantry do with the current system. THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. I would be 100% for your suggestion here. Heavy armor, medium armor, and light armor should all fill different roles. Honestly I don't think they should even cost anything different, but rather they should have positives and negatives for each, such that they're equal.