The problem I'm noticing in the comment section is that people are still thinking about this game as if it was the good old RTS. I believe all races (except for Nids and Necs) could be implemented in game as playable races one way or another. It's true that with 8 playable races the population gap between those races will rise, but what if there were different maps? what if expansions with new races came with new maps that have the option of a new race or more, while keeping a maximum of 4-5 races tops in each map. Let's say an expansion added the IG, there would be a new map with the IG in it fighting over territories against hordes of Orcs, armies of Eldars, and legions of CSM. While SM wouldn't be in this map, it would be possible for players to create new characters on this map playing 1 of the other four races. I think this would encourage players to try out other races as well as keeping multiple servers/maps occupied at all times with players jumping from one map to another to play their other characters. Now regarding balance between races, like let's say SM and IG, or DE...think outside the box of the RTS games, think about those races' concepts. Let's say DE for example, although they are fragile and don't have the heavy tanks and vehicles that IG or SM or any of the other races have, their concept is built around speed, gorilla wars, death from above (superior aircraft fighters), and warping in and out of battle. Let's say a DE exansion is added with a new map...why not have them scattered around the map with many warp gates but small hidden bases, this would give them the play-style they deserve as a raiding pirate race suddenly appearing behind enemy lines, stealing resources and sabotaging their base, then disappearing. Or the IG faction, they're known for their heavy fortifications, expendable soldiers, and their almighty artillery. This would allow them to be a defensive heavy faction in their map, with a huge fort maybe in the middle of the map, and artillery batteries that would lay death on anyone trying to capture their territories. Their weak infantry is supplemented by their strong vehicles, and maybe even a less than usual respawn times! while SM's heavy infantry is balanced with a longer respawn time than the other races. I could think of many other ideas for balance and stuff, but it's already a very long comment, but the idea is that even the races that seem a bit out of the picture in the RTS games have a very strong concept behind them to be playable and balanced in this game. Regarding Necrons and Tyranids, no need to mention the reasons everyone else mentioned, they're simply better as NPCs and events. TAU FTW!!!
This is exactly what I have been saying! No sense in having everyone everywhere at once! I count ravagers as ultra heavy tanks Anyway, thanks for the compliment on aircraft, rarely find one of those! Also, I wish to bring up the discussion again (although not sure if it ever began): Chaos Daemons. Have seen little to no discussion about them here. Thoughts on them?
I don't think it is good idea: for example, I am constant CSM player and I play only this faction. And here comes another campaign that my favourite CSMs don't take part in. Sooo... What shall I do then? Leave game until next campaign? And what if next one doesn't include CSM too?
This is kind of the dilemma I wish to avoid. Since if CSM wasn't in the campaign, then technically all those armor and weapons you have taken ages to earn and achieve for that CSM character are locked away until they come back for the next campaign.
You expect one person to "make a difference" on *any* faction? You're new to large-scale shooters aren't you? One person out of 300+ barely makes a difference no matter which faction they play. It's when 30 or so "one persons" start working together that the map starts moving.
In 1000 a side it only takes 1 person to go down and that 1v1x1000 becomes 1v1x999 & 1v2x1. Then it's 1v1x998&1v3x1 and so on. At such large scale and numbers one person can tip the tides easily by something as simple as mass attacking or focus firing. So don't count out the lonely ownsome just yet.
One person isn't a "mass attack", and focus firing with one gun is like clapping with one hand. It's a simple fact that in the game of this scale nobody is going to be "HERO OF THE IMPERIUM!", you're going to be Marine #682. And it's going to be the case no matter which faction you play. Kind of like how in Mount & Blade's singleplayer mode you're "Warlord Big-shot, ruler of seven kingdoms, legendary slaughterer of armies", but in multiplayer you're "crossbow mook #6" because everyone else is now on the same power level as you.
