I know its an old topic, but something has to be done on the condos

Have you guys watched the 4v4 UP1.5 grand final yesterday? If not, just go and watch cause its amazing and I want to say something about one of the game so if you don't want to get spoiled, stop reading and go watch it.

In one game I think its called 'enemy islands' where basically all ppl start with playing 1v1 on their own islands. AND there are so many condos in the game! Half of the players went for condos, and none of them were the Italian.

And the thing that triggers me the most is that: even MAYANS are going for condos. Despite having the option of going elite eagle warrior, which is one of the best unit in early imperial game, they still opt for condotierros, which really speaks something for this unit: the whole "no upgrade requirement" thing creates a super-duper enormous power spike for anyone who gets into imperial age. So strong that it wipes out the diversity of the game: as long as the Italian is in the team, we are not going to see champions, eagle warriors, woad raiders, berserks (well we saw berserks in that game, but he should really went for condos instead, especially when he also needs to control the water), and other infantry units.

Now, I don't mean they are really a bad unit: It is great to see the condos being used other than the Italians, otherwise it makes no sense for it to be a Team bonus. However, I think this unit is not in the position they were supposed to be: an anti-gunpowder infantry. Right now they serves more like a eagle warrior in game but with stats of a champion for everyone, as well as being a good unit to land on water map (though I'm perfectly fine with the latter: if you can land its basically GG anyway). Considering gunpowder units don't come right in the early imperial, it just makes no sense to have such a unit being available so early in the game (and basically nullifying the turks, but that's a story for another time)

There are actually plenty of solution suggested already, but I still wanna suggest possible changes here (Note that these changes are not supposed to be done simultaneously: just some ideas to throw out here):

1) All civs apart from Italians need to research for condotierros. The research cost could be a bit cheaper and faster than upgrading the whole champion line, but definitely leave Eagles as a more favourable option in early imperial age for the meso-civs. Considering Condotierro is a mercenary unit, I really hope their allies need to buy the units from the Italian player so to make this historical.

2) Statistics-wise, the unit could have 1 or 2 less melee attack, but deal more bonus damage to the gunpowder units. The hp, armour and speed was kinda necessary for the unit to be anti-gunpowder, so it is the best we can do.

3) Make champions a decent counter to them. Right now Champion is cost-effective against condos, but not only do they need a whole lot more time and money to upgrade, but they aren't beating the condos pop-wise either. Maybe give the condos 2 to 3 eagle armour so champions can still melt them?

4) Nerf Italian as a whole to make them less likely to appear in team game. I personally don't like this change, at least not to make them less likely to appear in team game, cause they were designed to be played in team game with their team-units and imp tech "silk road". But right now it's quite clear that they are strong in too many situations.