Well , i think it's not so much a problem concerning defence as it it is a matter of cost efficiency. If a cav unit with 22 defence is melee only , it's ok to clasify it as medium , but when it's multi-functional , and i mean HA-Charging-melee resistant , i think it's better to clasify as heavy for balancing reasons as that unit in spammable quantities would provide the user with a much too greater avantage , especially with factions susceptible to steppe which will try to survive the initial onslaught of arrows and hope for the best later.

When complaining about the Sauro's roster , i was doing so bcz of the inability to use many of their units. Getting a special merc rule fixes that i believe. The redo of Reidonez, available to sauros , furthers that impression too. But when it comes to 10 archer limit upon a faction which has the best HA per money cost , well , i feel that it gets too OP .

Keep in mind that phalanxes are now susceptible to arrow fire , which further boosts their capabilities.

In short , i believe it to be balanced if you put Aorsi nobles(6 missile attack , 30 charge , 2500mnai) as heavy , keep the 8 merc rule and remove the 10 archer special rule for them. i think this game should be about skill too , which is completely negated in the case of meetings such as Casse vs Sauros today.