I hate this stupid, worthless, and undeserving debate. I will now conclude it by taking in the arguments of both sides and combining them in to one. So what is the answer? Here are some statements:
T2 requires more skill and is more balanced. This is correct.
T3 requires more skill and is more balanced. This is also correct.
Wait a minute, didn't I just contradict myself? Let me explain. To get closer to the conclusion, I have put here some of the most popular strategies.
T3:
1.Gran Faust double-swipe spamming
2.Shivermist spamming
3.Polaris spamming
4.Toothpick spamming
Now for T2:
1.Sealed Sword spamming
2.Brandish spamming
3.Toothpick spamming
4.Hybrid spamming
Compare them. Don't you notice how T3 puts in guns and bombs more often? In order to actually draw something from this investigation, I will divide the next part into two sections: Balance and Skill
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Balance
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From the T2 side, we hear a lot of, "aghghhh, T3 weaahpons areaeae soooooo OPOPPP." In reality, this is not actually true. You can not simply say that toothpick is better than the volt edge or whatever. T3 balances all of the weapons so that everything is a threat, while in T2 swords arguably overpower the guns and bombs. BUT, THIS IS WHAT MAKES BOTH TIERS BALANCED. T2 is the land of swords. Since everyone is using swords, we can say that T2 is balanced in a different way from T3. Basically:
T2 is balanced because everyone is using swords.
T3 is balanced because the weapon types are equal to each other.
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Skill
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How does skill differ between the two tiers?
Remember how everyone uses swords in T2. Since everyone in T2 is using swords, we can say that T2 mostly requires skills from swords. For the few people who use guns and bombs, there is more skill required from them too.
In T3, you have to recognize the equality between the T3 weapons. Let's look at the most arguably skill-less people on the planet: Gran Faust double-swipe spammers. Yes, they win the damage war very often. The thing is, these people ARE SKILLED IN THEIR OWN WAY. They can turn a Gran Faust into a killing machine, which is a skill. How about Shivermist spammers? It takes more than just timing to do this, which means that they ARE SKILLED IN THEIR OWN WAY. The reason T2 pound T3 people is because the T3 people are skilled in ways T2 players deem less "valuable". Get my point? So basically:
T2 mostly needs sword skill, while demanding even more from guns and bombs.
T3 also needs skill, just in different ways from T2.
Here are the final statements:
T2 is balanced because everyone is using swords.
T3 is balanced because the weapon types are equal to each other.
T2 mostly needs sword skill, while demanding even more from guns and bombs.
T3 also needs skill, just in different ways from T2.
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That's the argument of balance and skill over. Us lockdown addicts have nothing to debate over on that.
Unfortunately, the lockdown community isn't exactly great. It is the biggest reason this argument exists at all. I must admit that I like T2 lockdown better since many T3 people are annoying(but easier to troll lol). The only reasons I play T3 at all are that T2 is relatively inactive, and that I enjoy the new playstyle of T3 when I am in the right mood.
My side over :3
I'm personally all for Tier 3.
Your conclusion is pretty well put, from an equipment stand point. Some people argue that Tier 2 is more forgiving for getting hit, which is completely true. I like the fast-paced-ness of Tier 3.
Also, the community must be taken into consideration. People in one Tier may argue more than the other.
Both of these arguments originate from preference however, so yes, both Tiers are balanced well enough.