I think we need to know more before saying the Arkenpliers are overbalanced compared to other artifacts. For instance, decrypted units might croak their opponents in a way that destroys their bodies. In effect, you'd need 'regular' units in order to create new decrypted ones.

Even if the Arkenpliers work as advertised, the obvious drawback is that every other faction would want to stomp you before you reached critical mass.

Stanley might want to return to Gobwin Knob, not to defend it, but to make sure Wanda doesn't defect. He essentially left her there to die, after all.