On second thought, I take that part back. I hope it’s not a bug, I no longer believe it’s game-breaking at all, and I might have jumped to conclusions too soon reporting it as such.
The color-based magic bonus to weapons from Hero Classes is the only part of the 1.0.9 Hero rework we’re getting in the Arena, after all, and we did expect the Hero to become much stronger with this patch. Without this boost, it would still be the 1.08 Arena, only with some added and changed troops, and more status effects. The Hero would still be one troop among others, instead of the powerful leader it used to be back when troops were capped at level 10. Yes, this turns the meta on its head quite a bit, but isn’t this what a big patch should always do?
It takes some getting used to, but it’s definitely not for the worse. Sure, weaker players will jump on the most obvious easy advantage they can get out of it at first, and so should they. Let them spam their boosted Burning Scythes to their hearts’ content. After a few runs and a serious reconsideration of my strategy, I’m already beating that trick fairly consistently; it’s just the new Imperial Jewel, basically. Bring it on! I am not afraid. Actually, I’m having a blast. =)
Sorry for the tl;dr Arena analysis. I should save this for a guide. More importantly, sorry for being the one to cry wolf this time around! ^^ Please keep up the great work.