imo cav generally is too fast but people are probably not ready for that discussion XD. I think catas being OP must be the Ambush map speaking.

I've proposed to update them to mud-brick walls (for relevant civs), but stone walls would also do, I wonder why this is not already the case.    I think this should be the default mechanism, no tech needed (unless there's some strong historical reason). Some have proposed some timer for the engine to be useful after capture, but I don't see this as too different from a longer capture time. Ideally, the default operators should be killed before the engine can be captured, and a mechanism of how to replace them implemented, to fulfil the "timer" role more realistically and separately from the capture itself, and avoid constant switching. This is basically the "base garrison" idea I've proposed before (although I've argued that capture points wouldn't even be needed in that case, to simplify things).

If you want you can try to finish some of the 70% done new animals here are a few https://gitea.wildfiregames.com/0ad/0ad/issues/1983 https://gitea.wildfiregames.com/0ad/0ad/issues/1993 https://gitea.wildfiregames.com/0ad/0ad/issues/2003 there's most of the info in the forum post that the issue links to.

@wowgetoffyourcellphone

Perhaps some technology could be implemented to create a mechanism to prevent  from switching sides constantly.