Chaser wrote:
I still have to ask the question why is pilot leveling GOOD.
The concept of "forcing players" to do things works both ways. You don't want to use leveled units, so you're advocating an environment that becomes a safe space for your mode of play. That "forces" other players to only use 4/5, or risk being at a competitive disadvantage. There may be people who want to use something other than 4/5s, but feel there's no adequate reward for taking on the challenge. You're handicapping yourself for the same pay you'd get for an all-4/5 army. So... people don't use levels very often as a result. That's why some advocate for the return to auto leveling; variety and 'balance'.
There are other decisions based on this logic as well. It's the reason build tables are 100% random here. If you allowed people to field whatever they wanted, would you truly ever seen a VLK-2Q? SHD-2D? Or would it just be stock armies of WVR-6Ms and WHM-6Ds running around? People will naturally gravitate toward an advantage, whether it be ammo-less 'Mechs, (lack of) pilot levels, pilot skills pertaining to their unit, terrain choice, whatever. But managing this creates a challenge for everyone and gives people a reason to keep coming back.
Unfortunately, not everyone will like every change. Heck, there are people who stopped playing because the rules changed from what they were in 2006. But there are probably as many who stick around because of the changes. Then there's nut jobs like Nasty Ogre who'll take any challenge and keep playing.

We'll never understand these strange folk... jk