I'd say:
1. End the discussion about team allowances. I see them as generally balanced, but even if it isn't so, it's clear from the start. And all players joined this game knowing it...
AFAIK general agreement is that the most powerful paths are Blood, Death, Astral. Earth isn't bad due to forge bonus obtainable. All teams have nations with good troops and those with lategame power, too.
2. Changing path allowances will probably promote changing which Pretenders are allowed - it doesn't matter if I have Ageless Olm if I still can't use him to get high water. This is another discussion we can quite do without.
3. I'm for increasing usefulness of merc player. I think allowing rainbow Pretender is a good feature here. Adding site and/or more water provinces may also be good in this case.
4. Let's bloody frigging
start!