I perfectly understand that WoG is for balance, which is why I believe WoG and SoD are different games, as the game itself was intentionally created by the developers to create balance from imbalance, to create a counter-force for every strength. Yes, they didn't quite manage to consistently implement this idea everywhere, but that doesn't mean we should destroy artifacts like the Orb. It would be better to come up with some kind of sphere that absorbs the Orb's effect or at least a water spell that negates the Orb's effect and starts working from the 2nd round, thereby affecting all magic.
If we follow the ideology of WoG, then we need to eliminate all random possibilities: for example, the damage range should be fixed, like for Angels; remove artifacts that affect morale, resistance skill, and luck, as their effect is random; make the Red and Black Orbs, the arrival of heroes in the tavern, and the skill tree predictable; in the end, only play on mirror matches.
And for some reason, there is a false understanding that all 4 schools of magic should be equal. Their names and corresponding spells themselves indicate that water is against fire, and earth is against air (Town Portal vs. Dimension Door, Berserk vs. Hypnosis, etc.). The schools of magic themselves are not necessarily required to be equal in strength to each other.
You also write that someone will never realize that SoD is bad or that the Orb is bad. I'll reveal a small secret: awareness is understanding that a person simply prefers either WoG or SoD, and not understanding that their desires must necessarily be desired by others. Some people like Nyusha, and some like Ksyusha.
The topic can indeed be closed:) the main question has been resolved, and it's good that most people are in favor of the Orb