As we have recently heard about the planned changes to the M2C, I would like to bring forth a few counterpoints to the argument for its removal.
“First, I’ve promised my team internally that I’d be focused on making sure we aren’t straying too far from Aliens lore.”
If this is a main reason as to why the M2C should be removed, then what about other things that don’t fall into the lore? What about the Scout specialist, or being able to do complex organ and brain surgeries in an active warzone? Are those in the Aliens lore?
“Second, I feel the gameplay that comes from the M2C creates a toxic mindset and protagonist syndrome.”
How does it create a toxic mindset? How is it toxic? And, how does it create a protagonist syndrome? If anything, roles such as CO create a much larger issue with protagonist syndrome, as a CO can do pretty much anything they want, and are always at the center of everything. A weapon doesn’t make a marine the protagonist, its their attitude that does.
“Third, I am trying to slow CM down.”
There are better ways than removing a weapon from the game. Plus, people are always going to find a way to go around it and play CM quickly, and have quick rounds. Long rounds almost always result in Xeno victories as well. Because they get significantly more numbers in the late game. You could slow it down by making there be less larva as time goes on.
“Fourth, I’d like the M56D to fit a different niche and the M2C sits in that niche too much right now for it to be possible.”
For what to be possible? Both weapons have their own niche. The M56D is a defensive weapon with its IFF. The M2C is an offensive weapon. Are you trying to say that you want the M56D to be an offensive weapon? If so, then that makes no sense, because the M2C is an offensive weapon, you would just be switching the two around so that the M2C is defensive and the M56D is offensive.
All in all, this really seems to be a personal choice of “Well I don’t like this weapon so it has to be removed”. Instead of completely removing it, why not suggest changes to it? It doesn’t cause any real issues other than FF, which every weapon causes.