In effect the difference is minimal, but it could make the Military tree more interesting if it was focusing on miniaturization and efficiency instead of just bullet type 13.

I think lots of changes could be made to the tech trees to make them more interesting. I've even played with the idea of adding more tech trees. In general combat needs to be made more interesting than Resist lv X v. Weapon lv X.



Here is a thread of mine that has some relevance to this subject: /#/endless-space/forum/28-game-design/thread/11640-5th-tech-tree-military-doctrine

I would like to see cards being directly linked to weapons, but then we end up with troubles when you have different kinds of ships. Maybe the rock-paper-scissors must go for a more normal (MoO2) combat, while strengthening the Rock-Paper-Scissors of the card system.