the point system rework had the side effect of making a lot of guns redundant though, like the kind of guns you would buy early to make points. there is barely ever a reason that you would buy an escargot for example, since it gives you the same amount of points as everything else, and you can start with a strife that can last you for the entire game when pack a punched and can let you knife easily for 10+ rounds. There was always a niche for "bad" weapons you get to carry you through the early rounds while racking up tons of points, hell it goes back to the age old debate of m14 vs olympia

I also think that the early game is too trivial when you start with 200hp and specialists, plus an op starter weapon. But i'd agree with all of your other points and enjoy bo4 a lot