Well, the militaristic side of battle did need to be livened up... Basically, even though I still think it is very possible to overcome a larger force if you know what your doing, generally the stronger economy won.
I think the importance of economy should be maintained, because I think that's one of the main reasons AOE and AOK were different from other games, like RA2 and TA and stuff. Economy is important, but tactics... they are important too...
And in many cases the only time tactics can be a factor is micromanagement. Hit and run... Partian tactics. Retreat to arms. Even concentrating archer fire...
That is truly what differentiates one general from another I would think. I hope that GPs, myth units, and even regular units will add another side to combat in AOM...
Think about it: You see a norse player coming in with mountain giants, and you do not have anything available taht can pack enough punch to actually tear them down... So, after seeing their are no valkerie defending them, you build 3 medusas... There go the mountain giants and you are safe...
-Vladimir87