Why do you think that reducing the timer would be detrimental? The timer is mainly spent on difficult challenges in Treasure/Gold Outposts – if you reduce the strength of the guards, the game will be more dynamic (Gold Outposts/Treasure challenges will be completed earlier), and less time will be spent on completing them.
Guys, I played in a pair tournament, and the time per turn was not 10 minutes, but less. I don't deny that this is possible, and if there are many people who want it, go ahead. I just expressed the drawbacks that I experienced firsthand, and personally, I wouldn't participate in such a tournament; I'd rather play a dozen games in a seasonal league on the Portal than one pair game.