Got the hotfix to try out (mostly) restored Thunders. They are much better, and one of the better wings to use. They kill things faster than Broadswords and Claws, and maybe Gladii at times, but Thunders are a bit more fragile and need skill support more. Thunders do not die as quickly as they did, and the current recharging Swarmers make sense on them.
Got a chance to try out Piranha, and they feel like a castrated Khopesh instead of the clumsy but powerful fighter/bomber it used to be. They are underpowered at 10 OP. To be honest, I do not want to use them unless I need junk to mount on a disposable carrier.
I agree bounties scale too fast. The problem is if the player does the tutorial, he will be level 6 or 7 minimum after leaving Galatia, and maybe more (like 10+) if he gets in a few more fights before leaving core. My first bounty fight was a big fleet of pirate destroyers and frigates, and I needed my entire fleet to kill it, and I had to replay it a few times due to excessive casualties in the first few attempts.