I'm definetly in the camp that not everything should be available to the player at game start.
That, sadly, is not even an argument.
I think it's bad that players have access to elusive stuff like Mesons, but advanced technology or PTs or the like need you to find them first.
Why can't you start with some of that, but drastically lack in something else.
Why is the only effective choice you have to play with human technology, or at least point of view, no matter what you name your race?
I think a race starting in a nebula should not have access to missile engine research, why would they ever think of it?
BTT:
While were at it, weird hybrid weapons, a Beam weapon that has a limited amount of shots before Hangar Reload, like Box launchers.
Also, could someone sum up what is the actual gameplay sense of this suggestion?
A beam weapon with long range accuracy?
A new weapon of the PT kind?
Beams requiring Ammo?