MMH5.5 - Heroes of Might and Magic 5.5

@Nargott, "Combat" retaliation bonus is an exponential skill.

This word, like synergy, doesn't say anything specific on its own; it's too abstract.
Any bonus that takes effect at the start of combat is exponential (perhaps except for mana). But that doesn't mean that any bonus is good.
That is, even +1 to attack will have a greater effect in all respects (including exponentially) than +1 to the Combat skill. If a unit deals 30 attacks (direct and retaliatory) in a battle, should these +1 be counted as +30 to attack? ;)

The only thing that has a specific synergy is with the "Readiness" and "Defensive Stance" abilities, because these abilities support the combat style that relies on defense and retaliatory attacks (i.e., the proportion of retaliatory attacks increases compared to direct attacks, and thus the Combat skill is enhanced). This is what needs to be tested. But I would prefer to further weaken "Readiness" (which always comes with Skilled Combat), just so that Combat itself is appealing (and without Readiness).

If you are afraid of the Combat + Readiness combination, the gentlest way to enhance Combat is to give +1/+1 to attack/defense for each skill level.
Or, at least like this: +1/2/3 to attack (if the Attack skill is leveled up and there is no Readiness) and +1/2/3 to defense (if the Defense skill is leveled up and there is no Readiness).
If Readiness is leveled up, these bonuses should not be given (instead of a -2 penalty to attack).

In general, the point is this. You say that the balance is fine now, because Might heroes are already strong. Based on this, it is not worth further strengthening any military skills, including weak ones. But this is a dubious position, because you can formally make skills "+0" (which do nothing), and Might heroes will still be strong. And at the same time, the skill will be obviously useless.
I believe that all skills should be made sufficiently appealing, and if Might heroes often win in your (long) games, then compensate for this by strengthening the late-game spells of Magic heroes (increase the price of spells of level 4-5 and increase the effect). And when I talk about high prices, I mean prices of 50+ mana. Because, as I understand it, in a long game, mages do not have more than 200-300 mana. And if you have such expensive high-level spells, then those magical classes that sit on 45% Knowledge will play well (it is not necessary to put all sorcerers on 45% Sorcery).

And here is another question: has the technical possibility appeared to make mass versions of spells for, for example, x3 / x4 / x5 the price? (instead of x2). This could also increase the demand for Knowledge for heroes playing on the Light and Dark sides (because in these schools of magic, mass spells are quite comparable in strength to spells of level 4-5).

Also, after talking with other players, I can note that I am not the only one who does not like the weak skills in your modification (which give small bonuses to reduced characteristics). That is, there is objectively a balance problem. This means that you can make the game better if you rework the balance towards stronger skills (how to strengthen Magic heroes, I wrote above). Thus, they would be at least comparable to the Empowered Spells, Battle Frenzy, or Aura of Swiftness skills. The fact is that when a player levels up strong skills, he gets a big dose of pleasure from anticipating how strongly this will affect the game. But when he levels up something like +2-3% to overall damage and survivability, this does not happen. I would not like to argue or prove anyone's right here; ultimately, these are taste preferences, and whether you will take them into account or not is another question.

Your modification is very good in many aspects and deserves a high rating overall, but if you pay enough attention to correcting some shortcomings, you will be able to attract many more players.
At the same time, if you pay attention to developing all sorts of new things, rather than correcting shortcomings, this will be good specifically for those players who already like everything.
Choose for yourself which direction to develop in, towards supporting old players or new ones.