What a bizarre take. Like yeah, in a setting where women of significance are rare yeah we sure are more likely to gravitate to the few examples of women. But also I don’t remember much about the sisters of battle, but I don’t recall thinking “oh cool women,” I remember thinking “oh of course that’s where the women show up and how the toxic portion of the player base acts about them”.

Part of what I like about Orks is that an all male species is very different from a wildly misogynistic faction. In fact my guess is that the imperium is probably played way less by women (proportionally to overall player preference) than non-humanoids and non-gendered factions. The imperium feels far more like real and uncomfortable threats than a fungus of war or an invading swarm.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 17 hours ago

What a bizarre take.

I didn't push the point, but the impression I got was a watered down version of the "pandering" argument. Like "female characters are pandering to female fans" but instead of complaining about the pandering it was more "I think it's neat they get to have someone to play with too". Not strictly misogynistic, more misguided, does that make sense?

Then again, I can't really speak for how that would actually come across with women.

I remember thinking “oh of course that’s where the women show up and how the toxic portion of the player base acts about them”.

There are also the Banshees! Female-only Eldar warriors, highly mobile, lethal in Melee and with a piercing warcry inducing fear, heralds of doom and grief... I don't quite know how to feel about the fact that the second prominent all-female force is defined by screeching, but like I said, I can't comment on the female PoV.

Part of what I like about Orks is that an all male species is very different from a wildly misogynistic faction.

No gender roles, only Dakka, and if they stare at your chest it's because they're admiring the gun strapped across it.

I can see the appeal.

In fact my guess is that the imperium is probably played way less by women (proportionally to overall player preference) than non-humanoids and non-gendered factions. The imperium feels far more like real and uncomfortable threats than a fungus of war or an invading swarm.

I never really had to think about that, but it makes sense. Personally, I like the Mechanicus where your biology is mostly irrelevant anyway.