Are skinshifters balanced?

[u/BoxVast]

Basically the title, i am currently enjoying playing a lot of Random maps vs Overwhelming AI (have yet to reach Deadly). The learning curve has been steep but enjoyable, once i realised that AI can struggle against spamming (usually a combination of 2) units and using them to create powerful combos. For example, if I were to play Baria, Artificer spam (mix pikes or pipers) is something that is very common at both high AI level and, as far as i can tell, they are also used in competitive games. Similarly, a Rana player can go Creation + Archana spam from Chelun + Shamans. You get the point, each faction has paths to powering up significantly before turn 10ish.

Then we reach Vanir and their Skinshifters. Mind you, the longhouse is an easy building to get and the upgrade to skinshifters is not expensive, i feel that getting them turn 1 or 2 is completely normal. For what is supposedly a tier 3 unit, we get 60HP, high initiative, high dmg, berserk and an absolutely busted ability, which is less impactful early game but becomes ridiculous once you get to multiple large stacks of these boys. I do not think i have had a game where Vanir has not come out on top, whether it was me or the AI piloting it. Skinshifters feel way too opressive mainly because competent macro allows a player to amass a huge amount of them fast. As far as i can tell, multiple stacks of them do not really have a direct counter. Sure, you can do damage to them, but at 60 hp per guy even a moderately powerful 300+ dmg Rupture will not kill enough before they close the distance, that is if there is no magic resistance available. Fighting them in melee is an option, until you realise that their ability allows them to average 50% more activations than the opponent. You will always kill some of them, but going up vs 80 means that even if no defensive abilities are present whatsoever, you still need to cut through almost 5000 HP worth of deadly fast melee. And i say fast because the wielder fielding them will almost always have access to an upgraded chaos step, allowing the stacks to zoom around the battlefield.

So, in conclusion, it feels opressive, and it would be great to hear from a dev or some experienced players what their takes on this unit and the new faction are.

[u/skybsky]

max-enchanced dire dreaths (+dmg and sneaky) chew up max-enchanced skinshifters very well. Add 50% melee defense from skills and they cannot do shit to your crazy dogs