Oversun
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In my opinion, the only logically sound option for a new faction is an aquatic Castle or a swamp Fortress/Naga (one of these).
Everything else feels far-fetched.
The Forge and the Conflux are cut from the same cloth (both are equally bad).
The Conflux stood out with its fairytale atmosphere, while I imagine the Forge as techno-undead. Yes, they are more advanced than other factions, but not to the point of absurdity. For example: lasers could be given only to level 6 or 7 units (as a reminder, the Cyclops shoots lasers from its eyes, and the Fire Elemental essentially uses plasma). The Synthetics from the Demiurges game fit perfectly into my vision of the Forge. Here are some screenshots:
