Historically there has been at least a loose correlation between spec-ops XP costs and regular unit points cost, but they've never exactly matched. I haven't really looked at N4 spec-ops all that closely; the system was fun when it first came out, but it tends to lead to a lot of nearly identical optimized build, which ends up not being all that interesting.
As Diphoration says, but I'll elaborate a little: Each main faction has a different set of things the SpecOps can buy (weapons, gear, skills...) and in some cases, differently costed. Each sectorial has its own Specops, but for most of NA2 options (which tend to go for a Brawler SpecOps). While in the Generic (main faction) you can choose between all, each sectorial is fixed. For example: Aleph can deploy a Deva Specops with (for example) Feuerbach and Regeneration, or a Thorakitai Specops with the same gear, but neither has access to a Jammer. Steel Phalanx can only deploy a Thorakite, and OSS can only deploy a Deva. On the other hand, PanO can deploy a SpecOps who is a Fusilier, an Acontecimiento Regular, or an Order Sargeant, with a Jammer and Combat Jump (the Acon Reg is the only option for an Acon sectorial, and the Order Sgt is the only option for Military Orders). As for the "price analogies", the fact that both the SMG and Boarding Shotgun are costed as 4 XP (at least in PanO) totally wrecks it, since in N4 a Combi and a BSG cost viartually the same, while the SMG is so cheaper, in O12 you can cram a hacking device for the points difference in the Kappa units.
I'm trying to run a campaign at the moment. How the hell a BTS12 Bioimmune Deva got past the proofreader is a mystery to me, even despite the less-balanced nature of SpecOps. I'm seeing a bit more variety from Ariadna and PanO, although their options are worse- especially poor Ariadna.
There are few special cases because their line troops are special cases but really, they're kind of generic,you guys say their special because their based on their individual line infantry but, well I guess that's it, most peoples linemen are bland and the available purchases dont always match up. Many of which are still only able to link with theirine troops of which people are taking even less now. SpecOps should be able to branch off and get promoted through the ranks of their faction. Like, if they wanted to become a full on skirmisher, or link with the HI of their sectorial gaining "this unit may be considered a member of another unit at the start of the game if assigned to a fireteam of that unit" or even become a TAG pilot for that faction. Imagine you turn your character into an engineer early on in a campaign, then you save up the points purchase a TAG like 5-7 games later. If your sectorial has manned TAGs you have to purchase a Spec Op first. If it doesnt, then you can just wait till you got enough points. If you got Hassassins, you can make a specialist Fiday if you like. Just, really dig into the Sectorial... like I might want to get the mind of SpecOp transferred into Karakuri body or promoted to Tanko with MSV or X-Visor...
Most prices didn't change from N3 to N4, we just focus on the ones that did change and get blinded when CB applies a troop-type discount such as 5 points discount on heavy infantry, 10 points on expensive heavy infantry or where sniper rifles are 4 points less expensive for skirmishers. (With a few rare exceptions that didn't get these discounts - and of course, CB seems to have started doing hand-adjustments again)
