I am having a great time playing this game. ?Unfortunately, you will run into the normal PUG vs premade issues when a game is only deathmatches while in Beta. Of course, I also bought into the game, so I got a couple of starter mechs.....

Basically, for a new player, you have to use Trial Mechs to work up enough cash to buy your first mechs. You cannot change their loadout and they do not get mech xp for that model (which you get pilot bonuses for), however the upside is you do not have to repair them....

Repairs are a real problem for heavies and assaults, especially if you use a lot of ammo. When I use my Atlas, I tend to make very little money, break even, or lose a little because of all the damage and ammo costs. Obviously, I make more on a win. For me, its not really devastating because I have other mechs to playt with because I built money so fast, but heed this advice if you play:

When you buy your first mech, make it a light mech. Not just for costs, personally I love playing light mechs. It's utter fun and hijinks to take down an assault mech with a Jenner