It seems to me that half of the new upgrades are useful, while the other half is simply unnecessary. What do you think?
Could you be more specific? Which alt-upgrades are unnecessary?
I can definitely say that Swift Riders are one of them. Their ability can't compete with the ability to ignore armor on the charge.
For the rest of the alt-upgrades, there might be a use for them.
Горящие реки сходили с ума, пытаясь остаться водой,
Земля пропустила коварный удар, раскрывшись на шаге вперёд,
Взлетел разъярённым драконом Огонь и понял, что тоже умрёт...