I don’t think so.
I find the “key” (I use the term very loosely) is to figure out what strength you want to lean on with your main faction, and then go through the techs to figure out what complements that, or patches up a weakness.
For example, if I am going Vanguard, I know I want rail extension tech (further range) sooner rather than later, and on as many things as possible.
Or I want to go engineer missile spam.
Or a combination.
So I look at my techs, and I see synthesis gives me a useful way to tune up my integrated troops, and a way to heal them constantly (which complements my nanite healing tech, or allows me to not use that tech, so I free up a slot) and a cool Synthesis unit that also resets actions, like the Pug does, but is tougher and can shoot.
Or I look at Void tech, and see there is tech there to make my guys harder to hit, go through obstacles, and a unit that is good in melee, meaning my shooters get to love, and therefore shoot, for longer. Not much healing, so I’m going to use my nanite healing tech alot, and Pugs. There is a mid game Voidtech unit which does heal though, and it flies, and it allows me to teleport enemy units, so again, the basic tactic of lots of rifles (and overwatch) works.
OR,
I could look at Vanguard and decide I want to focus on the unicycles, as those are sturdy, do great damage. In that case Synthesis is also a great option, as is Voidtech, but maybe I might consider Xenoplague here, and aim for a number of pustules, who are great at occupying the enemy, so I can flank better with my unicycles.
Another point to consider is your tactical operations, or “nukes.”
Psynumbra has a great, single target + stagger operation that is available early, and has mark of the dark sun, whihc stacks damage if that unit lands the killing blow = that makes me want to lean into putting a sniper rifle on my leader, giving him or her rail extension, and using a variety of other units as a meatshield. High single target damage that keeps scaling with every kill means I want to damage using the other units, e.g. the Unicycles, and feed kills to my hero (or other high damage unit.)
Or, I might consider all of the above, but this time for the Dvar, and think what unit do I want to be using most of the time, and why.
With Dvar, the Bulwark is high damage, but surprisingly flimsy. The base infantry are much sturdier, and can handle melee. And the Dvar support unit is…not good imho.
So, I’d be looking at what can I use to output more damage here, in which case Psynumbra most likely.
Or Celestian for mass healing.
