Shuffling Pieces
Yes, that is the way it is working out. Changing the back rank changes the
balance only very slightly if at all and certainly not enough.
Hoplite pin
We play tested pinning hoplites and removed it for pretty much the reasons you
stated, unnatural. This is now a dead consideration.
Weakening General and/or Warlord
I have shuffled the starting position back to one more favored early ones: c l k g w k l c
Based on your suggestion to reduce the power of the General and/or Warlord I have
reduced the power of both of them and running games with them having these characteristics:
General = Rook + Afil
Warlord = Bishop + Dababa
If this is still too strong then the jump can be blocked for the Afil and Dababa portion of
the move. Or if this is too weak then only one might be changed rather than both.
Alternatively one or both might better as the crowned versions you are testing.
From among the Royal versions of the pieces you suggested, which gave rise to my thinking
about these, perhaps we will find a variation that is sufficiently balanced. Play testing
for balance will be the judge.
Hoplite Promotion
I understand and have experience your point. I am tempted to say lets go ahead and try your
suggestion, promote to a Colonel or King.
Shuffling Pieces
Yes, that is the way it is working out. Changing the back rank changes the balance only very slightly if at all and certainly not enough.
Hoplite pin
We play tested pinning hoplites and removed it for pretty much the reasons you stated, unnatural. This is now a dead consideration.
Weakening General and/or Warlord
I have shuffled the starting position back to one more favored early ones:
c l k g w k l c
Based on your suggestion to reduce the power of the General and/or Warlord I have reduced the power of both of them and running games with them having these characteristics:
General = Rook + Afil
Warlord = Bishop + Dababa
If this is still too strong then the jump can be blocked for the Afil and Dababa portion of the move. Or if this is too weak then only one might be changed rather than both. Alternatively one or both might better as the crowned versions you are testing.
From among the Royal versions of the pieces you suggested, which gave rise to my thinking about these, perhaps we will find a variation that is sufficiently balanced. Play testing for balance will be the judge.
Hoplite Promotion
I understand and have experience your point. I am tempted to say lets go ahead and try your suggestion, promote to a Colonel or King.