Played for two hours last night:

#1. AI is much better. Holds back generals and hits the flanks when you are engaged. I tried to just skirmish a garrison of two peasant units and the peasants attacked immediately. So many kudo's for inproving that.

#2. No more FF.. archers seems to not fire if there is something in front of them that they might hit. You no longer get the archers to fire continuous volleys and they are less powerful, but at least no more FF.

#3. Calvary charges in the flanks are no longer as devastating as they were.

#4. Smarter rebels.. they are actually attacking me instead of just standing there waiting for my 1 star general to get some practice.

#5. I did not see this in the previous version, but you can now cycle through all of your special units (generals, spies, and diplomats). Just click on the general in the town screen and then cycle using the arrows at the top. Brilliant!

I am much, much happier with the game now in its initial stages.. lets see how squalor gets you in later stages of the game now.

THANK YOU CA VERY MUCH!