Exactly, LoL and DOTA2 can afford not being on console. They also can afford being free to play with microtransactions. All on account of their popularity.
I agree, Grand Strategy and Turn Based has seen a resurgence in the past few years. But in any case, they are two genres that, by and large, have never had a competitive scene as far as i know, or if they do, it's so small as to be of no importance. Because of that, balance is less important. If a game doesn't develop a competitive scene, you don't see nearly as much whining on forums/the internet, because most people simply won't play into the online aspect of the game.
Not an RTS, but, for instance, the new Doom. The online isn't NEARLY as good as what people hoped it would be. But, it still can stand on it's amazing campaign, and Snapmap bringing some fresh new content (although, Snapmap could've been so much better than it is. As it stands it has a lot of limitations).
Speaking of RTS's/GS/Turn Based...
Europa/Hearts of Iron/Crusader Kings don't have to worry TOO much about balance. Haven't seen or heard of a competitive scene, or even many people that do online at all. They still care to, because the Dev's are completely and utterly devoted to that game, i have literally never seen a company care so much about their game as these guys do. They strive for perfection. They still screw up though. BUT, it still doesn't have a competitive scene. It would be fine if they would stop buffing/nerfing stuff. It's nice that they do, though.
CIV and AOE II tackle balance differently from the others. Different civs have, mostly, access to the same units and tech. Their uniques and advantages are what differentiate them from other civs, and this is much easier to balance than, for instance, Starcraft's VASTLY different three factions.
AOE II does indeed have a competitive community, and i have seen some matches. It's interesting. They're a relatively small community, but the skill ceiling is very high. You get trounced if you don't have many years of online AOE experience. It's, in a way, similar to what Brood War has become over the years outside Korea.
And i don't have to mention SC2. It's pretty big, the biggest of them all. And brings in the most money.
Online is a pretty big deal these days... If a game doesn't have a strong online component, chances are, it won't sell very well. Games based on very well-known franchises seem to be the exception, because they already have a big following. There are exceptions, from big-time AAA publishers that can woo the public with their shiny graphics or their new gimmick.
Successful new IP's, on all genres, are becoming few and far inbetween. Horizon Zero Dawn is the most memorable to come off of the top of my head, as well as Nioh - which still capitalized on being "Souls-like".
But on RTS... Man... I can't really recall the last successful new IP. I really can't.