Sums up 90% of the suggestions ever made in this forum.
I just adapted to archer and cav behaviour and mass, I went 12/24 shielder
with War Spear and Steel Pick. Works perfectly fine and I`m the archers worst nightmare
Although that's very close to the class/build I am planning to play next generation I only want to throw in that you can't expect everyone to play hoplite. I don't say the OP is right or something like that, but the mere existance of a solution doesn't make it a viable one or makes the suggestion invalid. There is a lot more to concern, like chances of success, restricting the players in their freedom or similar stuff.
It's like somebody says "Today living costs you a goddamn fortune", and you answer "Well, play Lotto/the Lottery, problem solved." ("catch archers when they are unaware") or "Well, find yourself a second or third job" ("Go play another class than the one you like"). Although both answers represent a solution they are far from viable.
Sorry for going offtopic, but I see people keep "+"-ing that post of yours, which can lead to a general (and bad) attitude of not taking negative feedback serious at all, and instead dismiss it as pure whining. Because not everybody who complains is complaining because he is doing something wrong. Yes, maybe his equipment is way too expensive (did you ask about his equipment?), but if people keep telling here that DTV is known for being a gold sink, then perhaps you should start checking if there is really something that should be done about it.
I always say repairs are too low.
You can't tell. Because the difference whether repairs are too high are too low depends too much on whether you are in a clan or not, whether you are playing start or not, whether you are buying and reselling on the marketplace or not, and whether you are selling your loom points or not. That's why I think the entire upkeep system is horribly broken, but somehow people don't seem to care much.