Games are not real world simulators... "let's do it because real life works like that" is not a valid argument for me.
Let me ask again, differently: Does this feature have potential to affect/enrich the gameplay in any non-negligible way (and if yes, please at least one example)... or is it pure cosmetics?
Well, I can't opine for Nord, who originally proposed this, but from my point of view, this could be a potential use:
In addition to adding a touch of variety to the game, it could be used to "simulate" more trained or veteran enemy soldiers or, on the contrary, greener. Suppose we face a game of human Cultists assaulting a city (with civilians, of course).
Some of these Cultists may have better physical condition (more TUs and stamina) or be better at melee combat, but as these stats are random, the human player would not be fully aware of which enemies are better or worse. I understand that this can be achieved with different ranks in the races, but this would give the player an idea that "engineers are more dangerous and I must kill them first than soldiers".
And for civilians, some might be more clumsy (less TUs or stamina) and hide, stand in front of Xcom weapons (or do whatever civilians do best) less effective
It's basically to give tactical diversity to the battle. It could be considered an "aesthetic" addition.
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