[Tim/Steve]

Charges are now random length rather then just double your movement, small, elite blocks of cavalry (or beasts/infantry) have been nerfed in favour of big blocks of infantry and magic has become both much more random and far far more destructive.
All in all WFB is much more luck based, but if quicker and more fun to play... but if you enjoyed the tactical struggle of it then its lost some of its appeal. Personally I think of 8th as a 'diet' version of the game: good fun and easily accessible but it leaves me wanting a little more.

 

[Tim/Steve]

empire knights are some of the best- cheap enough to field in large enough numbers to make them really good. You can pre-measure anything and everything... at any time.. for any reason.

 

[Tim/Steve]

Can ranged troops only fire the first rank still?

All units fire and fire in 2 units, so you always have the first 2 ranks able to shoot or to attack the enemy in combat. Some weapons, notably bows (short, long and normal), can volley fire where you get the first 2 ranks plus half of all the models in additional ranks... but you cant volley if you move or as a stand and shoot.