Unique firing arcs and component slots the single best improvement?

[Whiskiz]

Trying not to get too overhyped until i can play and/or test the game - but i've been thinking: (unique) firing arcs and component slots for ships per faction is probably the single biggest and best way to have real diversity between races - other than just one has a 10% bonus here another 30% there and the graphics.

The single best design for racial diversity since racial unique research (which apparently is also expanded with a main tech and 3? secondary techs)

For the first time ever i'm actually excited to play each of the different races - i might actually be surprised by which ones i enjoy now and are my favorite since there's more diversity in one of the biggest parts of the game - combat.

Instead of which have the best bonuses.

With the added bonus of AI being able to handle design much better with a slot system, while Eric said we're unable to max all slots out so leaving alot of room for experimentation still.

Concept sounds great and a huge improvement to racial identity and replayability.

[Miletkir]

It was my impression that other factions could also be quite different on the entire technological spectrum given the new system.

[Whiskiz]

You mean the option to enable it where research progression is somewhat randomised and the other option to hide the tech tree from you?

Those aren't unique racial traits/a racial thing.

You could play the same race 3 times and have it be different because of that.

[Miletkir]

Well, this is on the side of the player. Won't it affect the AI too? Or perhaps each AI faction will have its predefined technological path? Those could be unique to them.

EDIT: From the FAQ:
How many racial techs exist on average per race?
--> In DW1, it was never really more than 1 per faction. In DW2, each faction has one primary exclusive tech with the biggest bonus compared to the base techs and two secondary exclusive techs.

But still not sure what path the AI would follow.

[Whiskiz]

Good question, i'd have to imagine they don't get the randomised option - more predefined set path or priorities with some variance.

Hopefully there's someone more knowledgeable around here that could confirm [:'(]