ReXspec, on 06 February 2014 - 04:06 AM, said:
First point:
If you or your opponents are put in a position where you're set at a disadvantage, both you will seek an advantage. In MWO's case, that advantage is in Clan tech and it will remain an advantage until the I.S. develops new weapons.
Second:
Perhaps obsolete is the wrong word... think of it this way, by giving the I.S. access to Clan tech, a lot of the I.S. weaponry will become a lot more... situational. Less "all-purpose" and more "role-fulfillement," which is what this game desperately needs. I.S. and Clan 'mechs may very well use I.S. weaponry in specific situations, to shave off a bit of heat, or to save a C-bill or two.
Third:
This is what optimally built Trial 'Mechs are for. If veteran I.S. players do not already have a stash of C-bills to spend on Clan tech, then they will be able to at least fight with a trial 'mech that has Clan tech in it so they can keep up and grind until they can afford a 'mech of their own (unless they think they can fight optimally with an unmodified I.S. 'mech... then it may be worth it to give bonuses to players who fight in strictly I.S. tech 'mech against Clan 'mechs).
Fourth: Balance fixes itself when new tech for the I.S. comes out. Then it becomes a matter of what 'mech/weapon fills which role.
Fifth: In Battletech game series that I've played, if you MIX the tech, it actually becomes HARDER to define what is the "best" 'mech or the "best" load-out is. In other words, the meta is expanded to the point where it is unidentifiable--and purely based on playing style.
Just because this thread needs another angle to the same argument.
You do realise in canon that your proposal is a no go.
In 3050 Clan tech when it could be salvaged was gobbled up instantly by the House, and I mean all of it. They then poured over it for a few years tyring to work it out etc.and their investigations led to break thorughs etc that started rolling out about 3055 / 3056+.
Now the exceptions were the novel guys, the antz pantz of warriors except for a handful of mercs who broke their contracts to run away with Clan tech.
So from a Canon point of view, your idea has exactly zero merit.
Just saying, if you want to push the idea along, be aware the canon brigade will be on you.

Edited by Craig Steele, 06 February 2014 - 04:15 AM.