While I would not remove Mech Packs, there are other things they can do that might require less effort from the art department. They can have branded weapons that increase XP/Loyalty earned. For example:
Magna Hellstar PPC - +5% Mech XP earned.
Donal PPC - +5% Loyalty Points earned.
Kinslaughter PPC - +3% C-bills earned.
Martell Medium Laser - +1% C-bills earned (max 6%).
Diverse Optics Type 2 Medium Laser - +1.5% Mech XP earned (max 9%).
Omicron 4000 Medium Laser - +1.5% Loyalty earned (max 9%).
Imperial Code Red LB 10-X AC - ...you get the idea.
Other things to note.
When the enemy checks out your mech, they see the full name of the weapon instead of just generic LB 10X AC (they should see Imperial Code Red LB 10-X AC or something.
These weapons should be of a different color in mech lab and when seen by the enemy (just follow the MMO color code of green blue purple orange).
Higher 'quality' weapons can just combine bonuses.
Green - XP, Loyalty or C-bills
Blue - Two of the above
Purple - All three
Orange - All three and slightly higher. Can only equip one of this.
This doesn't require much work from the art team, but will require coding to include the new system and update the end of match rewards.
Also as a bonus:
PGI can make limited use branded weapons. Meaning these weapons have a certain number of matches before they break (paid ones should not break). But to give them out for free without flooding the market, each type can be given as prizes, end of match rewards or loot boxes and have 5-30 uses each before they break and disappear.
If you want to be sneaky, include the kill count on the temp weapons and before they break, give the player an option to buy it for MC to make it permanent and it retains the kill count stat.
Edit:
Other bonuses could include a chance of refunding a decent percentage of c-bill consumable costs at the end of the match should you happen to use one or send messages in the battle such as:
"Elizander has been killed by EliteMechWarrior's Magna Hellstar PPC!"
For the permanent weapons, add a kill counter ala Dota 2 items or a damage counter. Make friendly kills reduce this number too.
Edited by Elizander, 15 October 2015 - 02:11 AM.