Thanks for the clarification. Not all of us play ITS and that's why I'm not familiar with that ITS rule.
As weird as it can sound, 16 models is the natural point were having restricted on how many models you can have or not stops to matter. From most players 16-18 models is what an unrestricted list of N3 would look like, two full combat groups is more than enough to look like it is not a restriction for most lists.
what players do in their non ITS/ non standard games is their own choice and more power to them, but if one wants to consider how the game is balanced 15 troops hard limit is one of the key components.
Well, several of the newer factions are certainly balanced towards it. I'm not so sure about the older ones. Certainly QK doesn't feel as well-balanced towards that playstyle as RTF. HB feels to me like halfway there. ...and don't let me start on the DBS...
I know, they are the least favourite of my armies. Badly thought out at their creation, if you ask me. And basically only getting sprinkled with every new merc that comes out, which is essentially slapping a band-aid where, frankly, one should see a surgeon's help. I'm putting together a list for a game next week, and the actual Druze in it can be counted on the fingers of one hand of an alcoholic lumberjack...