I understand wanting to keep things fresh for full release, but narratively speaking this 1 year old EA is as bad as the day it came out, and that doesn't inspire confidence.
But at the same time in unlike case that Larian will take a lot of feedback onboard for 1.0 release, it is better to keep that stuff for 1.0 then release early, no? While you might be sceptical now, but if you hear on release that stuff have been rewritten and it is much better now, surely it will regain your interest? If they have already feedback they need/want, they have little to gain at this point to show their cards (not that I necessarly believe that all the stuff I don't personally like are perceived as problems - not by Larian nor a chunk of the community).
The problem with the 'EA for testing mechanics' argument is that we can currently only test a tiny set of *low-level* mechanics. Characters play very differently as they level in 5E.
Yes, but I also feel it's foolish to assume that Larian can't forsee consequences without direct feedback. If they see what people respond well/badly in levels 1-4, surely they can apply those lessons to later levels. And I share your worry - I think combat system as it is has a lot of problems which can get much much worse once we prograss up the power curve. But I am less worried about Larian not realizing consequences of their changes, and more about them seeing fun, in things I don't find entertaining. I am also confident there is far more testing going on, then just EA playerbase.
