So, are javelins too powerful?

I’ve really enjoyed V2 but a couple of changes have exacerbated a problem.

First, with levy now generating Saga dice, not only are you more likely to see levy but you’re also more likely to see multiple levy units.

And most levy units have access to missile weapons and many have access to javelins.

Granted, levy are harder to activate but you are also rolling more dice and therefore more likely to get that levy unit to activate.

But javelins are especially problematic. First, their shooting is a free activation, unlike bows. Second, javelin units are typically 3/4 armor for levy and warriors and there are some armies where every single unit can have javelins.

Most armies do not have a defense against shooting and if they do, it’s a once per turn ability. But if you’re facing an army like the Irish or Welsh, you might get shot five or six times per turn.

And God help you if you’re a mounted army! That +1 to shooting cripples Normans and any army that relies on cavalry.

And it just boggles my mind that javelins get a +1 in the charge. Granted, you may not want to charge but you could get a bonus.

That bonus also invalidates certain army builds. Norse Gael players now have no incentive to take Dane Axes. Consider that a warrior Norse Gael unit with javelins gets the same +1 bonus in the charge as the Dane Axe units and the same armor in shooting and melee. The only downside is if they are the defender in the melee, which isn’t much and that’s the only occasion that the Dane axe units would be the better choice.

So again, I ask, are javelins too powerful?
Discuss!