Figured I'd post my thoughts on the current changes so far:
Aztecs:
I don't really see the point in the Skull Knight change. Skull Knight rushes were never really a problem on FP 1.2 to begin with, I don't really see any reason to make it worse. I would love to hear more discussion on this change.
British:
I like the way British play now. They're still one of the top civs, but not as overpowering as they were before.
Chinese:
- Still haven't really had an opportunity to see how the Chandao change affects the game.
- I think Flamethrowers are fine with this change. I understand why Cohenski would want them to be cheaper and more massable, but really I don't think China needs the option. It would give them too much in late colonial, given that Flamethrowers kill buildings absurdly fast, do good damage to infantry and are only countered by a single unit: hand cavalry. I would include cannons in the counter, except that flames are pretty fast as well, and cut through cannon resistance.
- I'm fine with all other changes.
Dutch:
Dutch seem to be okay. Sometimes with good treasures they can get the bank up insanely early, but even reverting back to 1.2 wouldn't change this a whole lot and it's not really a game changer anyways.
French:
I don't know how I feel about this change. I haven't had the opportunity to really see how it affects their play yet, but it seems like it could be a pretty big change. France ages 18 seconds later on this patch then they would on FP 1.2 unless they decide to age with 13 CDB. Not to mention the vill seconds they lose.
That's not to say that the change makes them underpowered, but I've never really felt that France was really that overpowered anyways. Maybe 1s or 1.5s might be a safer change. Thoughts? I'm not much of a mathematician.
Germans:
I suppose I don't really have a problem with this change.
Indians:
- Their play seems a lot smoother now with the 700w. The sowar change gives India a lot more options for colonial harassment and I think it definitely helps them keep people from Semi-FFing so easily. Rajput make India's late Colonial army much more versatile against civs like Germany and China.
- I'm not really sure how I feel about the Ottoman LOS change. I don't feel like it was ever a game changer before, but it's possible that with the sowar change this nerf might be necessary.
Iroquois:
I'm a big fan of all of the changes so far. Of course I still feel that Iroquois are one of the weaker civs, they're definitely not as terrible as they were on FP 1.2. I loved how they played with the market change, but it's possible that that made them too strong in early age 2, and it's already a lot easier to do the same build as long as you get a coin treasure or two.
I guess maybe I just need to get some more experience with builds other than the TP strat now that they're slightly more versatile.
Japanese:
Seems fine. Neither change will affect the game much, imo.
Ottomans:
I'm not sure how I feel about the Abus change. I'm not sure Abus were that unfair in 1v1s, and I don't think this makes them too much worse, but I definitely feel that the change was necessary for team games.
Portuguese:
Love the change, as it makes their rush and FF times a little less ludicrous, but it's possible that they need something more too. Can't really think of a good change though.
Russians:
No problems, imo.
Sioux:
Not really a Sioux player, so I'm unsure how this change will affect them.
Spanish:
Indifferent.