So I just got into Fantasy (haven't even played a game yet), and I was thinking about how I should build the state troops in my Empire army. Rumors are pointing at a new edition and Empire codex soon thereafter, and I don't want to equip my core troops with halberds only to find halberds getting severely nerfed in 9th.

So my question to all you longtime Empire players is this: have halberdiers always been the best option for equipping troops? Can I reasonably expect halberds to probably be the best choice next edition?