I've been thinking and I recall an older game MOO2 (Master of Orion 2) that used one side goes then 2ndside goes turn based combat as well.  The earlier version was pretty easy to win in combat just like EWOM since as long as you got first shot you could reduce the enemy counter attack significantly from the first turn's attack.  However in later versions they turned it to initiative based on each unit not each side.  This felt much more balanced and was more difficult and more fun to play.

I suggest the combat system be reviewed to include per unit initiative.  That way a whole side of archers can't detroy the opponent before they even move and at least each side will get a few shots in prior to the end of turn 1. 

If unit initiative could be affected byunit move speed, combat experience level, item/weapon attach speeds, defence/offense bonuses (defending a area/guarding, attacking units get +1 maybe), terrain bonuses, hero bonuses, magic spell bonuses, armour, rings, amulets etc. that would be nice.

Perhaps base inititiative could be random from 1-10, tie goes to attacker, then add each units bonus to each unit in combat and each resolves sequentially.

Anyway just wanted to see if this made sense to anyone else.  This likely has been discussed elsewhere but I couldn't find it.