People don't just try to avoid playing against him; they avoid him like the plague because he's so poorly implemented that it's ridiculous...
I agree about the thieves...It would have been better to add such a category. I like the thieves in Disciples...They have much better logistics than the main faction and the ability to steal artifacts from another hero or in a store. How would it look if there was a possibility to steal one random artifact, for example, in Utopia Dragons? I think it would be great.
Of course, I mean a secondary hero.
Bow down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die,
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide,
Take not thy thunder from us,
Take away our pride.
G.K. Chesterton: English Hymnal