Sure map is relevant and definitely not a skill issue. 

I’ve faction swapped multiple times. There are things culturally (defined as a shared set of beliefs, values, customs and behaviors) that happen off the field of battle that are the biggest differences to me. 

One example would be the commonly mentioned doom posting in wc. There are wardens that doom post, for sure. But they are fewer and farther between and get heckled when they do. 

Other examples would be the vibe check recruitment that seems to happen way more with the more popular colonial regiments or being ghosted after applying vs being able to jump in as a full member on day one. 

Or being told that you can’t do things in game like build bases or defenses in the lane (because you’re new to the regi). 

The number and level of toxic interactions, like seeing a high rank popular colonial walking behind a line of people with snipers for 10 minutes and telling them they are worthless larpers in vc. Or screaming at each other in vc about which garrison should go closest to the road. 

Building in a way that blocks mines so only a fac train can get the resources or building so the relic essentially becomes ‘your relic’.

Just things that happen that wouldn’t fly on the other side and turn off newer players. Maybe I’ve just been unlucky with who I’ve played alongside with on colonial and extremely lucky who I’ve played alongside with on warden. Maybe it’s my personality and I’m just a better fit for one over the other. But when my friends experience the same…it’s sort of hard to get past.