Ork boyz being the same power as space marines isn't even close to lore-friendly. Ork boyz are cannon fodder. They're on the power level of guardsmen. They number in the millions if not billions in single Waaaghs!. Space marines in the fiction routinely carve through hundreds of ork boyz with a single squad, and then take down a warboss with a bunch of nobs, all with minimal casualties. That's why having a space marine helmet on one's boss pole is so prestigious, because killing a space marine is a huge deal to orks. That said though, if EC has ork boyz balanced against marines, there's no reason why we shouldn't see Imperial Guard as playable down the road. Kasrkin, stormtroopers, tempestus scions, all are significantly more powerful combatants than a lowly ork boy with a slugga or shoota is. And Catachans are a match for orks in melee. If ork boyz being able to 1v1 space marines is okay, then there's no argument against having a Imperial Guard/Astra Militarum side with stormtroopers and other elite Guard forces as the classes. But really, the ork classes should all have been nobs. Even nobs are significantly weaker than marines, but at least they're in the same ballpark of power.
No they're definetly not on the power level of guardsmen. An Ork slugga can give some trouble to a Space Marine if it does indeed come into melee contact with him, especially if that Marine is a Tactical. Space Marine the game is not a very good representation as a single marine wouldn't be able to kill that many orks, 100%. The reasons space Marines carve through Orks is pretty much only becuase Space Marines are smart and have faster and better body functions like reflexes than Orks. Orks are ALMOST as tough as a Space Marine in power armor if you put like, all the Armor a Mekboy can make up on that Ork. Because Orks, they barely die. You cut off a leg, he's laughing, having fun, he'll crawl at you if he needs to. You do that to a Space Marine and he'll be a bit more crippled if not the same amount as the Ork. They're on a very similar physical level to eachother really. Guard are just TOOOOOOOOO weak compared to orks. 1 ork is like 10-20 guardsmen. So we would only see high tier IG units granted if we'd get the IG. You're underestimating Orks again. A nob can EASILY beat a Space Marine. I mean they're pretty much on par if not, the SM is actually a tiny bit weaker than a nob. Alright MAYBE they are weaker, but in no way significantly.
this! remove ork spawn timer. thats how they should work. maybe they are a little weaker in game, but no spawn delay. let em come and come and come
Your opinion about the relative balance of power between orks, space marines, and guardsmen is not represented in either the codices and their fluff, the 40k RPGs like Only War, or Black Library novels.
In tabletop, a bunch of guardsmen conscripts can wipe out a squad of marines in one volley with some lucky die rolls. Tabletop is an interpretation of the fiction, as all games are, and is not designed to be an accurate representation of the setting. It is weird that this is even a discussion.
I've seen Ork Boyz tear off the arms of Space Marines one handed, cave in their helmeted heads with the butt of their Shoota or a curb-stomp. Orks are not weak.
