Gentlemen it is up to the tribes to decide whether they eat barbs or not. You said coldogg you have seen nobles get creamed on villages. What size village were you attacking? Crowns are still limited to the amount of rez a player has and farmspaces. They can't buy rez. I did not play with crowns for my first 6 worlds. Only reason I do now is because I get them once a month from working here
Barb munching has been a problem since the beginning of the game. Some people feel it is a strategy that works. MRTs were put under control with the new tribe skills. I would hope. I can just say that some people are afraid to attack real players. You want barb munching to stop take out the player doing it.
Changing the noble system is not going to change how people think they should play their game.