I don't want to make it sound like it's oh so simple about balancing, but it is, hehe(sort of). You start out with a simple formula and make sure that each variable is made to equal the same number.
1+2+3=6 (basic a+b+c=x)
3+2+1=6
2x2x2=6
24/4=6
According to these formulas, everyone should be on the same playing field, and it's your job as the player to know how to use your set of numbers. You playtest to redefine the formula for areas you oversaw, or (and this will happen) you just manipulate any variable an anomly appears. This will happen because sometimes the formulas become so vast they get really hard to keep track of. I dunno if that made any sense.
1+2+3=6 (basic a+b+c=x)
3+2+1=6
2x2x2=6
24/4=6
According to these formulas, everyone should be on the same playing field, and it's your job as the player to know how to use your set of numbers. You playtest to redefine the formula for areas you oversaw, or (and this will happen) you just manipulate any variable an anomly appears. This will happen because sometimes the formulas become so vast they get really hard to keep track of. I dunno if that made any sense.