I got into this game due to this thread, and wow it's a lot of fun! Addictive as hell...
So this weekend I basically played nonstop, and have managed to elite my 3 locusts (1E, 1V, and 1M). I like the 1E and 1M, not so much the 1V. Those MGs are good for busting already damaged mechs, but they don't seem to mesh well with my style.
With the 1E I focus on a lot of scouting and potshots. I have mine armed with 6ml, bap and an XL170 engine. Sure, I give up some speed, and shaved some armor from head and arms to make room, but it packs a good punch and I can still boogie out pretty quick.
The 1M I have 2 ML in the torso, and a 2 and 4 SRM launcher. Excellent for murdering other lights, but also great for weaving through the enemy and blasting them with missiles as I streak by.
I do wish the game took into account what you're piloting when it awards XP and match points. It doesn't seem fair that when I cap 3 bases and do 400 damage with my 20 tons I get the same reward as the guy in an assault shooting LRMS from max range.
Speaking of tons... does the matchmaking try to get equal tonnage on each side? Or is it just equal amounts of lights, meds, heavies, and assaults? What I'm wondering is am I doing my team a favor by using so few tons, meaning the rest of my team should be bigger, or am I essentially just wasting tonnage that could have gone into a bigger light?