Well put Hufker - enjoyed reading your view. I offer the following thoughts ... Balancing is a [b]process[/b]. This process attempts to, but may never find, THE sweet spot and so continuously oscillates. To experience the balancing challenge try solving x^2 - 2x + 4 = 6 - that ping pong feeling you get is a little like balancing systems of weapons, armour, perks, skill and critically the perception of these in the hearts and minds of millions of gamers. Interesting huh ! I come from the school of thought that holds theres no joy in actually finding the sweet spot, even if it did exist. My logic is if you ever did manage to do so there would be no further change in the game and it would become inherently boring. The halo battle rifle was great but for years ? Still, there are folks who eat toasted cheese sangars (Aussie for sandwiched) daily and remain quite contented. I quite enjoyed the "auto" age, then the "hand cannon, SG age" and the current :"pulse rifle age" mixes it up. Perhaps I just have ADHD ;) My best gallp