I am a new user to armory and I like it so far, have not had many problems, had the database error once and was able to fix it but I have a lingering question as I do not fully understand all of the nuances behind how wallets and private keys work with armory and with the bitcoin core client.
Lets say I store my bitcoins in armory, on an offline computer and do not access them for 10 years.
If the bitcoin core changes drastically and armory development ceases to upkeep due to whatever reason will I be able to import my armory wallet to other alternative clients? And if so will a watch only wallet be able to be imported? or a wallet in which I have lost the passphrase and only have the armory paper wallet recovery?
I'm not an armory user so I can't really address the very specific parts of your question however I can tell you the general and more important answer which is this:
Make sure you know how to export your private key and address from armory into some sort of plain text. As long as you can do this, you will not have a problem long term.
I'm just saying that the core of the bitcoin philosophy is to be your own bank and to do this you need to be able to be able to own your own private keys and addresses. If I were you, I'd export your private keys and addresses into plain text and print them out on a piece of paper and keep it somewhere safe. As long as you have this information for perpetuity, all current software clients can die and you'll still be okay because you can import your keys into whatever future software wallets are around.