- Blood Dragons in Blood Keep are keeping their heads low. Empire doesn't even acknowledge they're there at the moment.
- Wood Elves of Laurelorn, Nordland, are quite happy in the Empire. They don't bother them, and don't get bothered in return. Indeed, it's in their interest that the Empire remains strong and wealthy, as it acts as an outer defence against invaders for them.
- Wood Elves of Athel Loren are more worried about Beastmen than normal men. Plus, the fact that they are on the wrong side of the Grey Mountains would make a war slightly more tricky, and just as worthless for both sides.
The Cultist/Beastman point is true, of course... just speaking up for the Asrai!
I submit that the problem with the halberd is not the weapon but the unit. Swordsmen are better, as they survive longer, and are thus more likely to win the combat through combat resolution. Being only marginally more expensive means that they are a much better option.
I therefore propose to cut the points cost of Halberdiers to 4/model. This is the sort of drastic cutting seen with the new Dark Elf book; it certainly worked there, making generic Warriors a much better choice.
For those hunting combat resolution, we make Halberdier Full Commands free. This represents the more common nature of Halberd regiments; other formations are more likely to be detachments, whilst Halberds tend (fluff-wise) to serve as proper regiments, and are thus more likely to have a complete command deck.
Halberdiers thus become a cheap unit with good combat resolution. Swordsmen aren't disadvantaged, and no fundamental rule change regarding state troops is carried out. No new special rules are introduced; rather than removing the weakness, we offset it.
What do you think?
