But... but I'm not a hardcore elitist PvP HnH veteran and I never was

(Tonkyhonk would laugh reading this and seeing me on the most wanted list

)
I haven't even knocked out another player, ever.
I only wanted to say that there is no place for casual gamers in PvP aspect of a hardcore permadeath game. Because if they try they will be steam rolled by veterans.
As it was stated, combat bonuses from artifacts don't really affect casuals, as they would get killed anyway. Walls and buildings change is nice though. While they cannot stop raiders they will make raiding newbies less appealing.