Two quick comments:

-I love the new population cost for pioneers. Much more strategic consideration goes into outposts and expansion. Don't understand why some think it's "broken," growth stat now matters more than ever before. Consulates on outposts more useful than before.  

-Not sure how much is due to v1.2, but the AI is getting much better at army construction. It may be because it is copying me, but full stacks with archers and melee troops are much more common, and heroes wandering around without full stacks is less common.

In an expert game on the Anthys map, Pariden declared war on me, and within 5 turns I had full stacks marching on my towns - finally, a challenge! I won, but only by a little. 

I even saw a stack with a MAGE unit in a previous game on expert. Still far too rare, but moving in the right direction.

Map pack is great, v1.2 is making the game better. Thanks.