[Pocus]

Alex, I'm trying very hard to not play super combatting pretenders (I took a rainbow mage in the report I posted).

Alas, I know that you are quite right, its so easy to take one and start to take provinces from turn 1.

I dont know for sure how MP will play, but I have a strong and bad feeling.

I think the fix which could change the problem is a major increase in cost of all combat pretenders. The Natajara stayed at 0 for example. Thus Arco will mostly play Nata. I would goes as far to rise his cost to 150, and doing the same to many HP-heavy pretenders.
Then perhaps people would try something else.