I still need to think about it as I am not adamant in my opinion on this, but it's been nagging me for some time now, there are LOTS of variants, specially in the SM and IG lists (A by-product of FW newsletters and releases I guess

), for what amount to very very minor changes. It tend toward a 40K in 6mm frame of mind that i don't like much. It's a bit like the beautiful original 'KISS' design is getting forgotten more and more with time. I am with neal on that.
A few variants are nice, but detailing tac squad with each kind of heavy weapons, and 8 dreadnought, is just too much for Epic IMO. 3 basic dreads should do the trick, and we shouldn't even consider the Heavy weapons used the most by this or that chapter. It's fine having separate models (I am actually as crazy as anyone about that), but the rules can and should abstract this somewhat.
Another example, of course, is special rules. Originally, the goal was to have a few special rules for each race (e.g: TSKNF, Hit and Run), and NONE at list level. Now many list have 3 or more... I don't like it very much.
I'm not sure how those different issue should be resolved (although I have a few ideas), while still retaining enough "flavour" for specific lists to be interesting to everyone.
A few iconic new units (Baal predator, Planetfalling Landspeeders) or even none at all should be enough, and for many list the formation size, availability and restrictions should be quite enough to build chapter specific lists. I wouldn't have issue with the same unit being listed with different names in variant lists though.
Hum. I need to collate my thoughts about that a bit, but I have planned to open a thread on that subject for some time. Probably in the general E:A forum, though, as it potentially concern all lists. At least, I think a discussion of that kind of design principles is needed.