My opinion on the Hero classes.

[Ragnash]

Erm. You don't have to become a hero class? You can remain exactly as you are if you like. I can even point you to some numbers below...

This is the statistics on the most popular common current pikeman build (T4 Pike + T2 Heavy Inf)
Pikeman + Heavy Infantry
One Handed: 130
Two Handed: 120
Polearm: 185
Archery: 20
Crossbow: 20
Throwing: 300
Power Draw: 1
Power Throw: 6
Power Strike: 7
Ironflesh: 6
Athletics: 10
Shield: 6

And these are the statistics on the most popular hero class pikeman (Master Peltast)
Pikeman + Master Peltast
One Handed: 130
Two Handed: 120
Polearm: 185
Archery: 20
Crossbow: 20
Throwing: 325
Power Draw: 1
Power Throw: 7
Power Strike: 7
Ironflesh: 6
Athletics: 10
Shield: 6

So, as you can see, the stats are very similar, you are basically just paying 750k gold for 1 extra power throw and 25 extra throwing proficiency, which is pretty damn good. Not to mention you can still equip all pikeman items on either a hero pikeman or a normal current pikeman. Yes, there will be specialist items added for hero classes only, but currently pre-0.5 pikeman items are still equitable by pikeman.