I like it.
It does enable some interesting late game plays like
dark_gf's scorpions in formation just inside the funnelweb shield which is a distinctive way of using them or of course the antinuke protection.
Conventional shieldballs benefit from it being a steroid enhanced cross of the convict and aspis. I'm aware of the merits of incorporating convicts into shieldballs for front line reclaim and a bit of shield sharing but the funnel does the front line reclaim better and the area and strength of the shield amply offsets the fact it doesn't actually share shield. And of course it works anywhere above water which is a nice bonus whereas aspis can only go where bots can (plus underwater of course).
The amount of times I've tried to bomb one with Ravens for it to escape at low health is irritating though.
1) Yes
2) Bombing frustration aside, yes. I've blown them up with waves of Snitches in the past. The shield is so huge that stuff can get under it and still be some distance from the escorts and it's also viable to be patient with a Likho to get under the shield to let rip which strikes me as a nice finesse play. The perimeter of the shield also means that unless it is protecting a really huge army, you've got more opportunities to bleed it by forcefiring just inside that perimeter if you need to, which is an important skill against any late game shield ball. If I'm air, I know not to touch a healthy shield ball - but when the aspis/funnelweb turns red, then it's time for a delivery.
3) Yes
4) More diverse and interesting. Supercharged front line builders with high BP and range mean one can grab more of the reclaim in the same space of time. That means a better chance of pushing back even if you do take a beating and lose some initiative. Instant +40 metal once you reach the dining table starts making a difference quicker than 7-8 cons who have to travel from wreck to wreck.
5) I'd like a good drone platform, but not as a replacement to the new funnelweb. Of course that also needs good drones.
6) Its hull could perhaps be a little bit more squishy to make it more vulnerable to direct attack, but doesn't need much of a HP nerf. I think it's in a pretty good place.