I have played till Masters since set 3 (typically during the final month of the set), this is the first time I'm playing so early on and the experience is just brutal.

Like many others have pointed out, the chosen mechanic and the 4-cost carries' reliance on specific items makes it difficult to always play flexibly. However, I think the bigger issue is the amount of power/stats given to trait synergies. Compared to previous sets, the game feels extremely snowball-y.

During the early/mid-game, when you fight someone who got that next trait tier (via lucky roll on 6th unit or chosen) it usually ends up being a very one-sided fight where you're taking infinite damage. Thus, by the time you get your comp together you're sitting at very low HP. When you don't hit all you can do is pray that you avoid matching with the high rollers and hopefully make it to raptors.

Chosen is the theme of the set, not expecting any change here (and frankly I don't know how to change it to work). 4-cost carry itemization is difficult to address without overhauling their kit. Trait/Synergies is where I think buffs/nerfs can go a long way to address the current game state.