And as for weapon tech, MWO balance makes it so that you can say there's merit to both systems.
So it really comes down to just XL.
Now, we can't just make XL engine outright like clan XL. Or else, there would be no reason to carry standard.
But what if, you remove the weakness of the XL check, but instead of just 3 pod space from each torse, you take away 4 or 5 (probably 5, I think just 1 additional is still too little to incentivize standard usage)
In terms of survivability, standard is still technically better as you can lose both ST and still live with the CT. But I think most people will choose the XL because the XL check penalty is gone.
Now, the immediate effect...
Because weapons on the lower ends (SP, SL) are exactly equivalent on both sides barring minor range differences (which almost never come into play), IS lights will be buffed TREMENDOUSLY, and will pull them far ahead of the status of Clan lights.
Medium will benefit greatly as well, as most people are running XL anyways and matching up fairly evenly against clan mediums.
Where benefits starting to peter off seem to be the upper end... People can certainly counter extra pod space requirement with standard construction. So that's one way to go. But either way, hopefully the extra pod space becomes a deterrent for IS heavies and assault to not boat super weapons, which don't have the same GH penalty as clans.
However, with IS mechs all of a sudden becoming lot more robust and tanky, while I don't propose removing quirks as they make mechs unique and incentivize people to diversify their builds to utility full advantage, it now becomes a good chance to expand quirks onto Clan mechs as well, so that they too, may enjoy quirks giving their mechs personalities.
(come on, CT and ST bonus for EBJ with + pitch angles, PGI, make it happen!)
Now, I have no lore basis to this. But let's be honest here, is lore even still a thing? With erectile dysfun... being proposed at one point (and due for revisit after New Years), is Lore even relevant? I say just f the lore and balance the game however it makes sense.
(o one thing do need change, IS gauss rifle... for being like 3 tons heavier, it really needs some sort of differentiating mechanics. Like maybe give it the ability to fire 3 at once instead of 2. There should not be any identical weapon between Clan and IS that has a flat out winner in terms of capabilities. All other weapons have their own niche for their respective factions, why doesn't gauss do?)
Edited by razenWing, 29 October 2016 - 12:33 PM.