I don't want a pistol. Where did you get the idea that I do? It is a simple fact that, by taking the shield, you sacrifice the offensive flexibility and utility of a sidearm. This is a value-neutral truth.

I saw either three or four shots land, plus the two sets of roll Iframes. Is that not what you see? I'll admit, the latency stuttering makes it hard to be absolutely certain.
Now, if you want to debate whether the roll should have Iframes, that's another discussion entirely.

No. Not really. I just want more boltguns in the game. The boltgun should be the weapon of choice for a SM or CSM.

And I don't want to have more boltguns, I want more variety since one thing being the best for every situation is boring.

Sorry. I am not expressing myself properly. I don't want the boltgun to be the Swiss-army-knife of weaponry. I want it to be used for its purpose: infantry assault weapon. Plasma cannons and heavy bolters should be supporting fire. Lascannon, Multi-melta and melta (useless now) are anti-armor. Plasma gun and stormbolter: infantry assault weapon. Stalker: Sniper

The problem that I have is that some of the non-assault weapons are too (excessively, they still need some) good in assault style situations and they ruin the game with MM spam, PC spam, and other non-lore game play.

Part of the fun of EC is the 40K lore. If I just wanted a shooter, EC would be way down on my list.

I don't want to force limits. I don't want to be negatively forcing things. I would rather positively change the game to encourage more lore friendly play. And that lore does encompass all the weapons that EC has, but just in more moderation.

That's still railroading people into a playstyle either way.

Every

Every game rail roads a playing style but with other games there is no preconceived lore which attracts people to the game in the first place. You see questions in Steam asking if EC is a 40K skinned shooter. Right now I would say yes. When the other factions come in my perception may change. 40K provides variance through factions, not necessarily through war gear.

Melee TTK should be higher than comparable ranged weapons because melee attacks should provide the player with ranged damage resistance and interrupt the attacked player's ranged weapon based on its firing rate.
For instance, a Bolter should have a Fire Rate of 0.25-sec, a Plasma Gun of 0.35-sec and a Chainsword should have a 0.3-sec Attack Speed.
So long as the Chainsword is landing consecutive attacks the Bolter would have 0.05-sec before the next hit to fire off a shot, while the PG would be unable to fire.
First, default Armor should be raised and HP should be lowered but given partial out-of-combat regen.
Then, the MoN should raise make HP, reduce HP damage taken, increase HP regen and allow healing from Nurgle-based Sorc Powers in return for a slight move speed reduction.

The "weapon of choice" should depend on the player. If this game is properly designed the Plasma Gun will have drawbacks that cause it to have asymmetrically balanced performance, or close to it, in combat against the Bolter. Then, players are free to pick their preferred weapon based purely on preference and instead of a greater likelihood of winning, while not having to spend points changing weapons so they can modify their preferred weapon just or nearly as much as the Bolter/default weapon.