"IF Neanderthals HAD Survived As The Sole Species?" Topic

Hm… seems to me that the exact technological development of Neanderthals is impossible to predict, not by the century, at least. So really, just choose the aproximate tech level you want them to be at (if they are fighting humans from any era then you can choose whatever neanderthal tech level, as obviously this is fictional anyway, you can get whatever justification you want. If they are fighting each other, then you probably could just choose any human period and use that as the basis). However, what is easier (or at least more interesting) to predict is how neanderthals would relate to humans… sorta. Basically, neanderthals would probably have a much smaller population than humans due to food requirements. However, they have a higher capacity for strength, endurance, and possibly even intelligence. The turning point is whether or not they could develop agriculture. They could, in theory, although their high food requirement would make this a tough development, though it was for us too. In either case, I'd give them approximately equal technology (say its a sci fi setting where neanderthals were taken from earth by aliens so they could survive on an earth-like planet) with smaller numbers but more emphasis on personal survival. I'd probably make them not so united either…. maybe forming nomadic mercenary companies for military purposes. Anyway, they would be stronger, tougher, be better in close combat, and generally be equipped better. They should be brave, but relatively ready to fall back if the going gets tough. They should be expensive. I don't know enough to say whether they should have poorer accuracy or not, but i'm pretty sure that they would be equivalent to humans, with no racial advantage or disadvantage.

Oh, and for models I'd suggest either just using humans (they really look very similar, mostly), maybe with slight modifications (not really necessary) or, if you want to go a bit more cartoonish, use dwarf models (Short and tough looking).