I never ran into that problem and I have played all three factions to max level without spending a dime on anything but camo. Seriously, it just takes a good team and winning more fights than you lose and you will get everything anyone else has.

Now, having said that, VS is easy mode, TR is about middle, and NC is bloody hard mode as far as infantry combat is concerned. I have very little experience with Aircraft or ground vehicles in that game so I won't speak to that. But it was much easier starting out on VS and TR than it was NC. By a long shot.

But overall the balance is there, you just have to use the porper tool for the job, and yeah it will take a bit to get your guns and such, but it is not over-long by any means. Join a good outfit and you will see a much different game.

I played since beta and I was in The Enclave up until they disbanded. Believe me I've seen enough of Planetside 2 to know the balance was fucking terrible especially in comparison to Planetside 1. Some of the higher tier guns make it nearly impossible to stand toe to toe with other players if you don't have equivalent weaponry. Simply because of Higher RoF and Damage.

I'll concur that VS was ezmode with 0 spread and recoil on launch but I think that got changed.

Heh, I am betting we have shot each other before! I was (still am sorta) with the DD's, though I have not played with them for months now. VS are still easy mode, as to the rest I guess we just had different experiences.