ok caught up on the reading...although have been reading the whole time, just not yet commenting

thanks to those who listened and made CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.
The balance of the houses is being looked at - an initial change done already, and 6 (of 8 or 10) total houses now in.
The surveys are for those who want to help, have time, but no money. It is not like one can 'mass a survey' and get infinite resources. If need be I will limit them, but I believe they are self limiting. people have always had issue with some getting advantage casue they can afford it...now this is not changed but hte currency of 'afford' is $ and time, opposed to just $. ..
The sab has been increased in damage potential, and reduced in turns (3 to 2) ... people STILL think more needs being done?
I am hearing a LOT of 'def needs to be useful' ... There are some good (but impractical) ideas on how to do this. And some options that are good... the question comes down to 'which to choose, and which has lowest risk of going bad with highest chance of successful balance'
The ideas I like best, are:
1) have max strike as a % of def (ie 200%) .. this has limit of if def is massed, cannot build strike until def is rebuilt (or use strike till def rebuilt) -- ways around this are impractical.
2) supers are supers. not def super; attack super; just supers. they do def and att. weapons are still att/def, but supers are not. This will still allow someone an only attack (with mercs/regulars) but such is very costly in troop deaths and costs. OR they accept that no def means a massable offense.... this is my preference, but no small change so must be thought out. On
this one I would like comments.for the covert change, it is true - one must attack/defend/buy troops to have the change kick in... rest assured that it will be equal for all

lastly regards houses, they will be bonused. not huge bonuses, but bonused to make controlling one worthwhile. the bonuses can be altered of course. i am debating, too, having the opposite houses auto-2-way-war ... ie light/dark order/chaos etc/cte
as it stands too, one cannot attack another voting member of your own house.
keeping it coming...