So does everyone propose the division servers force everyone to "Auto Assign" instead of picking a color? Do you all propose the servers lessen the Scramble threshold?
Not everyone! A few thoughts:
First, I do not see this as an issue on all of the EGO servers. I don't see much of this on Dustbowl, almost none of this on Payload or Foundry (which has a high proportion of talented non-EGO players), but a ton of this on Egypt (I don't frequent 2Fort of Valve Maps). But Egypt is also essentially the EGO clubhouse or playpen right now anyway (I am not suggesting that this is a bad thing, just that it seems to be particularly popular for EGO members).
Second, I think the Attack-Defend maps are prone toward imbalance. The Red Team inherently has a massive advantage (by design, and more-so than on Payload Maps since Att-Def points can be capped almost immediately). But throwing a further wrench in the balance works, since so few people play Egypt since so few servers run it, EGO members obviously know the map better than the generally pub-playing population. At least Dustbowl is a relatively popular map and non-EGO player map knowledge is high.
And I'll transition awkwardly through MR's post:
I have to go to work in like 3 minutes, so I don't have time to write an entire explanation why, but I wanted to say one thing real fast and I will try to remember to follow up when I get home.
I am 100% against any rule or precedence that prevents any person who plays on eGO servers from being able to play on whichever team they want, no matter their reason.
More to come..... maybe.
This is where I stand as well and I'm sure he has his own justifications but I'm going to say my piece: I dislike autobalance as a mechanic. I don't think it works well on our servers but also I do not think any other server has gotten it to work acceptably.
This a game based upon team play. Teams that function well together should benefit, rather than be punished by being torn apart. Maybe it is just that I play primarily as a Medic and cooperation is everything for my class, but it is absolutely crushing when I develop some chemistry with a few players and all of a sudden they are ripped away.
Beyond that, team balance in a server is just as much (if not more) about class selection as it is player talent. I am not saying that a superiorly talented team cannot win with non-optimal class selection over a lesser talented team with more optimal class selection, just that I think we can all acknowledge a team with four Snipers, three Spies, a pair of Engies, and a pair of Scouts is choosing "hard mode" so to speak (I'm not advocating class limits either. Some servers have them and they are "authoritarian" ...to be politically correct). I will not fault any player who flees from a team with that kind of class distribution even if it means extreme talent imbalance will result.
I fully understand that it is not healthy for EGO servers to have one team literally blowing the other to bits over and over for hours, but I also do not think relying on autobalance (even with tweaked/improved settings) to prevent server clearing imbalance or rage is the answer. Rather, I think we should take this opportunity to gather up our leaders and try to delicately nudge EGO members from one team to another when things get out of hand. So many servers have their own autobalance settings and no server has found a golden setting that everyone (anyone) is happy with. What we have are wonderful admins on our servers who are tactful, polite, responsable, and trustworthy. Let them handle this, we all know they can!