Oda changed his portrayal definitely. Which isn't a deal-breaker in and of itself. Some like that Kaidou has more facets than just being a brutish monster. Or that he exhibits malice and cunning, instead of just being a suicidal depressed alcoholic. It does feel like Oda either retconned the Kaidou of chapter 795, or he undergoes some major character development to become what he is now from what he was formerly back in 970.
But, it also begs the question - if Kaidou was capable of tactcis and strategic thinking and not just clubbing everyone. If Kaidou has an ounce of self-preservation and therefore would find ways to ensure he lived and survived, why then did Oda bother to split the villain role of Wano into Kaidou and Orochi in the first place?
I've argued this before, but now it feels like Kaidou and Orochi should have been just one character - The Yonkou Shogun of Wano who may or may not have eaten the Yamata No Orochi fruit and has eight dragon heads. He is immensely strong and at the same time cruel and cunning.
I mean there were previously legit complaints that Orochi felt like the real villain of Wano and Kaidou seemed relegated to being his hired muscle brought in as his bodyguard. Now Kaidou is revealed to be just as conniving but at least can fight, why the heck did we need a dud like Orochi in the first place again.