The game mode makes the server empty.
Infantry, which is a theoretic third of the classes met on the battlefield, is at a serious disadvantage in battle, and this does not neccessarily mean they make less kills. Can be they do as many kills or even more than the other classes, but the goal of "kill every enemy" is not really suited for a class which has to run on foot to their opponents to cause some harm. They just lack flexibility, and are the most passive class, while archers and cavalry through their flexibility enjoy more possibilities, hence are the acting classes and have more fun.
This leads to a frustrating gameplay for infantry, and the infantry players react, either by quitting to play cRPG at all, playing another game mode (I see little complaints about ranged players on siege - coincidence?), changing the class or by storming the forum and crying for nerfs, which were listened to now for years, also ruining the fun for archers and cavalry.
Give the infantry some more freedom by adding a goal which they are suited to accomplish, like taking and holding terrain, not hunting individuals, and things will be fixed again.
=> Conquest mode/MOTF ALWAYS 0:30 after the battle begun.