Question.
Ive been playing on Expert, I start with Warrior with Armor Plate skill and upgrade only that and the +attack/counterattack one, then I get the workshop to purchase the +2/+2 chain mail and +1 def shield, then I get the library and then the magic armor/magic weapon spell, then I get some thiefs. At this points, I steamroll anything starting with goblins, militias, brigands, undeads, orcs and so on, based on what the warrior is imune or near imune to. By the time I reach the AI, its only level 5 or so and Im level 10. I can just keep camping the AI with F10 and soloing it with the Warrior-Commander. Everything else like getting better equipment, building economy, doing quests and grinding more levels becomes an exercise in vanity.
Does this mechanic ever change to a point where the game is not about who gets the powerlevel lead in the first 15-30 turns?
Also, is there any point in exploring everything, doing every quest, building every building in every province, etc? Does it affect the meta game in any way other then changing your reputation? (I start evil, to acquire early resources, plunder everything that is not worth developing, pick the evil/greedy options and when you take the clear lead against the AI, you build your economy and start overwhelmingly choosing the good guy options by the time when winning or losing is not at stake anymore)
It seems like the only thing that really matters is hero power leveling in a cookie cutter, scripted, blueprint way. I feel no incentive to play anymore.