LRM's seem to be on the increase, which i don't really like and i'm seeing a bit of a trend where the team with the most heavy/assault clan mechs wins even on conquest.
The Clan's range advantage is probably the reason for LRMs becoming more common, along with them being so good.
Cut the Clan ranges a bit, tweak the LRM angle of attack (too steep at the moment, cover doesn't help), buff AMS a bit (target missiles aimed at you first, then those hitting friendlies, and don't fire those not targeted anywhere, don't fire underground).
Of course, i'd like a somewhat radical change: Cut the LRM range to 700m (a bit more than in the TT), though this might require other weapon ranges being cut a bit too. Make sniping a specialized thing, not the standard combat.
As for Conquest, i stopped playing it. Not because of the mech ratios but because it simply sucks. Unfortunately Assault sucks too... Especially in River City. And Alpine.
The Vindicator. How to keep customized variants effective in normal gameplay but also keep the spirit of the mech? Giving it left-hand AC doesn't feel right. Giving it (ER)LLs in both arms doesn't feel right. On the other hand, merely upgrading the base mech doesn't quite feel right either. Though perhaps i should wait till i get one and try it out in-game but on paper it doesn't feel right.
My Firebrand is a mech that keeps the original's (well, the Rifleman's...) spirit with long-range mix of ballistics and lasers, but is also optimized (more armor, cooling and stuff).
Do note i'm just theory-crafting at the moment, not buying St. Ives Blues until it is on sale (preferably 50% sale, Heroes have good value then), and the normal C-bill Vindys are a couple weeks away still.
Damn i'd love a stock mech matchmaking ((ignoring that DHS-equipped mechs would be rather superior). Joining those player made leagues is too much effort, i just want to play a few games casually every now and then, not at set times.
Unfortunately such thing would not make money so it is not like PGI is ever going to consider it... unless they find a way to sell it (weekly-passes, something) but then it would be player-starved.