I'm not sure if this has ever come up before, but here's my question:

Is there any sort of template, or measuring stick if you will, by which one could create a balanced army? I've heard percentages bantered around, but which are important and which are trivial? Is this even possible?

I guess Spacemarines are most balanced as for template it depends on the number of points being played.

people often talk about having "balanced" army lists but mostly its cr*p

some tournaments give you bonus points for having more "core" choices than the minimum 2. this is ok if you have good core troops but not so good for those that don't.

I play with this philosophy, if your army is legal by the rules and you play without cheating, then whether i massacre an opponent or get massacred im happy.

the codex's are designed the way they are for a reason.