Is it worth starting a new campaign...

...or will 0.81 be out soon making it a waste of time?

I can remember such a thread when 0.8 was to be out soon and someone asked about starting a 0.7.4 campaign... The answer was then, and now is, according to me: yes. IMO you don't play a game 'because it's worth the effort' but 'because you enjoy it'. Just a thought...

And that "somebody" was me

I suggest holding off for a little bit. Or, playing a faction you wouldn't ordinarily play, just for a bit of fun until 0.81 is released.

I wouldn't play as KH either yet - not only standard bearers will be included, but the KH feels almost totally new as now the haploi hoplitai and spartans (and plain hoplitai) are no longer using the phalanx attribute but use their spears now properly over their shields instead of below them. Makes the difference in them and Mak/Epeirote factions more pronounced, which is pretty good.