OK not really the Borg (sorry Trekkies), but... How about a unit or tech component, maybe to do with shield upgrades, that is incredibly expensive and whatnot, but when researched and activated, begins to "absorb" and/or adapt to the tech of your opponent, when they fire against it? ASSIMILATION BABY YEAH!!! Could be fun, could suck; discuss...
Both incorrect. Both sides have ACCESS to the same tech/unit pool, but might be going down completely different paths. The closest known analogy might be using a construction vehicle in TA to capture an enemy unit. Also, as for battles going on for hours and hours: this is what TA was! In TA no one (who was any good) ever played Core due to the imbalance, so they used the exact same unit combinations for the most part. But it was brilliant, because there was diversity. Adaptation wouldn't necessarily give you access to EVERYTHING right away, just make armour/shields etc, whatever it is, more resistant over time to the enemy tech choice, thus forcing them to change their tech path or unit pool. It buys you some time essentially.
No, everyone has access to the same unit pool, the only thing that that uber has said they want to be different is the Commanders. Also worth noting that with any luck there won't be "TECH" either, units do everything they can right out of the box, no upgrading or changing required. Rather if unit A ceases to be useful, you don't upgrade it, you just build unit B instead. Mike