Removing the clause about the basic increase is a real relief.

This mechanic has become unnecessary. It was an attempt to motivate the player to play a slow game faster (not to drag it out). Now (under the new conditions), the game should become fast enough without any motivation. Simply, if a player plays slowly, dragging it out, a faster player will come and win. Thus, stalling with large armies is impossible if both players don't want it. At the same time, there is no need for a rush to avoid this.

Question about the logistical changes: after their implementation, will "Path of War" work? If so, how?

This question is still open. If the perk is allowed, it will allow:
1) to capture objects on the same turn as the breakthrough
2) to break through enemy heroes along with the escort in 1 day
(The escort mechanic is when a hero breaks through into a zone, after which a vanguard unit runs in, and in case of detecting an enemy there, it covers the main hero.)