Must have: most people think that of Fast learner, but only because they don't do the math. They realize: at some point, it becomes free XP, but don't see that "at some point" might be 3-4 years of gameplay if you have 1 session per month.
Must sell: same thing really. Plus it reinforces the 'burn bright, but burn up' approach. You likely shouldn't be alive anymore by the time the break even point of Slow Learner kicks in and you start losing XP. Meanwhile, it gives you a boost up front.
While this is true if you use only the Corebook to make your characters, once you add in the Random Life Event Roll from the AToW, which every game I played in used, (Both mine and other GMs) most Clanners and Mechwarrior get a +1 or +2 to the roll for an average of 7 to 10 on the roll (neutral to positive results). This tends to disappear quickly.
Yes. Because of an accumulation of 1-2 point items.
This aside, why does character creation have to be exactly the same as in game advancement?
you could lower it only during character creation and raise it back up for the game, it's been done in other game to good effect.
Again not saying that this is the only way it could work, it was just a thought to keep new players from (fairly or unfairly) dismissing the game do to the large numbers.
As the point of this thread was original to talk about things that may need to be changed or at least streamline in the game here are my thoughts,
IMHO
1. Some Life Modules need to be less generic (Tour of Duty, Military Academy, Etc) to bring back the flavor lost from 2nd and 3rd.
2. Character creation point system needs to be toned down. There are way to many places where a minor math error can throw-off the calculations either against or in favor of the PC. And even thou its simple adding and subtract with as small amount of multiplication and division. the amount of it can quickly become a turn-off to player.
3. As has been said, the Skill Fields need a set cost.
4. Missing information about Battlearmor needs to be added, pack charges, effects on attributes, AToW level movement modifiers, etc.
5. Some Battletech Board game Modifier Charts with Skill used and Mods in AToW terms for quick reference during Mech combat (Lets not kid ourselves Mechwarriors are what most players are going to be 8))
And I'm sure there are other just can't think of them right now.