The game is much better balanced than people expect it.

There are for sure differences between classes at different difficulty levels. Mages are very strong on normal, but the "money" power and versatility of the Paladin and the sheer size of Warrior armies can make up for the 2 spells per turn on higher difficulties.

This almost reminds me of people crying about having to play a princess in the expansion.

This game is serious business. ;)

In fact Fighter is amazing not much about stack size but more about rage. I haven't yet tried Paladin but for mage vs fighter none is obviously better, I prefer the fighter a bit but mage is quite cool and powerful too.