Troop Command is imbalanced = (

[Game Hunter]

1. It costs less than a Factory: 2500 gold. With 3000 starting gold, you can get it right away, use it ONCE, and get a tank within a minute.

It's true you can start off with it, but the Factory not only doesn't take up a slot but it's automatic, so you'll probably get out more units on average, so it'll probably give out a greater output.

2. It creates units directly on the battlefield. This is an incredibly powerful asset, which I will detail further later.

Yes, this is the big thing that a Factory can't do. This is why I often find myself spending Reinforcements at CPs: to deploy instant units to kill off enemy tanks. Not only does it help secure control points early on ('cause, let's face it, it's easy to kill off creeps with a Heavy Tank or higher) but usually a kill if the enemy doesn't see it coming.

3. The 10 units equate to a lot of tanking HP.

4. Early to mid-game, the 10 units equate to a lot of firepower.

Both of these are taken care of by a factory, and probably better because it supports the big group of neutral creeps. Since it's always coming, it's a nasty thread to take care of.

The big thing is that Troop Command works well early on when securing CPs and, as you say, defending towers efficiently (which is a good idea, I'll have to try it). Later on, when troops can completely be destroyed by a Hail of Mortars or Energy Bomb or Gob Tank ultimtate, it'll be less useful except in the case of split-second differences and tower-shielding (either direction, but best on the attack). Factories will be a constant help, and you can store the units that pop out for some heavy shielding; Troop Command can do that, albeit a little slower.