Well, I guess with this latest installment, all those that were complaining about "kiting" will be very happy. It also seems that that by the next release/expansion, a no loss run on impossible will also be "impossible'.........
I did a run through as far as Hades on Hard as Soothsayer just to get the hang of the new game and have just restarted on impossible for a no loss run. I'm using the "all units available in starting castle" mod but I've decided in fairness not to use any units that i wouldn't have had access to if i hadn't been able to kite and just stick with the spells available. Also given that you don't have access to those other areas,spells, exp, etc. your starting leadership and skills are way way lower! (You could get to Level 15-20 b4 and have 5k+ leadership)But it's turning out to be a lot of fun so I'm still OK with it all. In fairness, i also waited 3 days b4 starting as the benefits i've gained from the mod are/would be equivalent to about that time had kiting been available.
Thus far it seems to me that the old pet dragon skills are now mostly the new Rune magic tree and the Valkries are a mash of the old wives/partners. Kinda takes some of the 'strategic/RPG' aspect out of the game as you can swap them in and out as you please where as b4 once you got divorced it was all over........
Anyway, didn't really have a lot of time to keep in touch after KB:AP expansion with you all, so here's hoping i'll be able to keep you more updated this time around.
Also, just as a last thought, i don't remember any release of this game ever being as buggy as this one! Grrrrr!