As I have to play in cloth map modus at the moment on my laptop I have to auto-resolve every battle. I really like the cloth map as it is actually much more flavorful than most fantasy games represent the game world. I think there should be an option for cloth map combat which not only benefits people with old hardware but could really look great.

So the options menu should have a checkbox "[ ] Force cloth map combat"

Units should be represented like on the cloth map but with their actual strength (1 soldier, 2 soldiers, etc.) Combat animations can be replaced by sound effects like battle screams, sword clash noises, arrows flying and so on. This could add a really epic feel to battles as a group of 5 soldiers in normal battle mode look like, um, 5 soldiers but 5 soldiers on a base on a cloth map look like they represent a larger unit.

But above everything else I just think this option would make the game experience more complete for people with old hardware.