Will talk about what essential skills a new pilot needs to get right off the bat as they say.
IMHO (Humble) Priority...
1) Get Heat Management skills as fast as possible, the games mostly drops you in to very hot maps on a frequent rate. When in colder maps also helps loads.
2) Basic Mech movement traits in my order
a) Arms twisting speed

c) Legs movement speed
3) Weapon fire rates ( My argument is without experience in mech heat management and mech movements, getting this first is a fastest way to overheat powered down can of whop-ass by your opponents.)
4) Max out anything else in Basics for all 3 variants to unlock Double Ups for Basics when you finished off at least 2 Elites.... That will increase all basics on heat management, movements up to 100% more !
Thats all folks, its a tough cookie to break into but once you played it up, you will love it as a solo drop and even more awesome when friends group up and take down larger and tougher Preys...
Have Fun !!!