@ScrotieMcB
I'm not exactly sure how you're using the term 'options'. I think you're saying that some OP mechanics are not options because there's no reason not to take them. In other words, it's a no-brainer choice.
I guess I would still see that as an option for players, because a choice to take that Talent or invest in those resists is being made. Nobody (ie a competative metagame) is forcing you to click on and use OP mechanics. For those wanting a more challenging experience, they can simply discipline themselves not to use those mechanics. And yet those mechanics remain in place for people struggling in the game, or who prefer to be god-like in game.
All that being said, I love me some tough choices, and I'm very much a fan of drawbacks (like Courageous and Know It All). Especially for powerful stuff. So really there's an internal struggle within me to change the OP stuff to have major drawbacks, but I think leaving them as is creates more accessibility for players.
Regarding the tediousness and boredom potential mid to late game: I've experienced some of that, but I think a big part of that has to do with animation speeds. At this point in the campaign, we've learned the mechanics and generally what is happening... but to watch 2-3+ archers fire 2-3 shots each with that unforgivably slow animation really starts to take its toll.
