I would agree but your points are conditionally not fully right.
1. Str. Bonus. True, but one needs a Str. 16 to start getting damage bonuses, which Tal doesn’t
2. Parry. Only fighters with Dex. 14 can do so, which Tal doesn’t. Her Dex. 13 is enough to get a +1 on AC and missile to hit (which everyone gets), but not parry (according to Table 10 p. 31). If you house-ruled a change, I missed that.
The design flaw point here (Relative to #1 and 2) is why is only the fighter deprived of class abilities based on stats? A thief doesn’t need Dex 15 to use their skills, or a use a graduated chart to get better back stab pluses; a cleric doesn’t need Wis 15 to turn dead; a MU Int. 15 to cast spells, etc.al.
3. Yes, but again that is something anyone can do. Dual hand is not particular to fighters. Playing true to the sheet, Tal’s bastard sword and shield combo precludes dual hand. I could drop shield but have no second weapon except my fist.
My main point that a fighter has no advantage
in the very concept upon which they were designed -
hitting things - remains. All the trope-inspired classes - studious wizard, the little reticent hobbit who overcomes, the cleric of healing and good will, the sneaky thief who favors a knife in the back over a front attack, the nature loving druid - they all somehow are
equal statistically to the trained and pugnacious fighter in their chance to strike a foe. At least until third level, which in play-by-post appears as good as never if you’re 1st level.
In short, a fundamental design flaw that is not unique to this ruleset (I’ve only played one other. My guess is since these are all clones, they share the design flaw.) From what I’ve seen, only DCC gets it right.
Solutions: House rule or start adventures at 3-5th level. I favor the latter. It gives you a
much better play test sense since all classes will have more going on. You experience the characters more and what makes them special. And they won’t die from 1-2 blows, short-lived PCs who really don’t reveal much of anything as a playtest.
From the outside looking in, it seems that for many (not all) there is a sadomasochistic undertone in OSR that celebrates low level death as a badge of honor (PCs) or delight (DMs). Particularly at 1st level. It strikes me that the versatility and play potential is greater at level 3+. I’m surprised more games here don’t start things off at that level.
My critiques do not mean I’m not enjoying this, which I am. It just literally started. But I may just make Tal a sadomasochist