Dig the changes, and the fact that you made them. The fact that in 2013 a text based game is still being actively developed by highly competent developers. If I continue to see this level of commitment to the game I will probably start actively recruiting new players. Have you thought about sending out another newsletter?

Arials are still annoyingly good, but not ridiculously overpowered (relatively speaking). I think a good way to bring them in line would be to make more lightning and water weapons available. Particularly since resist lightning is SO easy to get.