by Nemesis420x
One might argue that Eridani's 1 major negative is potentially more detrimental overall.And I'm sure there are a lot of (possibly misguided) Exile haters out there that would have a whole lot to add.
All I'm trying to say is that you're stressing this "abundance of negatives" thing, but you're not really considering the fact that most of their positives balance them for the most-part.
Are the Rho Indi a querky race?
Absolutely! I think all of the new races (possibly with the exception of Magellan) are.
Do they have disadvantages?
Yes! Every race does (Terrans and Magellan less-so). They all have obstacles between them and end of game greatness. But they also have undeniable advantages over every other.
Can you compare them directly to Orion as another aggressive-focused race?
Sort of! But where Orion has might, the Rho Indi have the ability to move superior (albeit smaller) numbers.
But I don't think that their negatives are anything to hark on (as determined as you are). You could write a short novel on the relative disadvantages of every race if you're comparing them to a race that is the best at any given thing. But I say, consider each race in its own. Take the negatives with the positives and embrace each race for their own merits, not directly relative to any or every other.
That's the beauty of assymmetry! Balancing roles in any game is not an exact science. But what do I know? I think it's been better said before:
"I say never be complete, I say stop being perfect, I say...let's evolve and let the chips fall where they may." -Tyler Durden