Right, I guess my whole point boils down as, in a extended/long term game one shouldn't out right limit the options to the player.  Let them be able to do the massive mech modification swapping out all energy weapons for missile weapons if they want but make it something they have to work/save for.  Let them pilot that Archer, salvage the Clan Gauss Rifle and decide that it's worth his well earned money (after 4-5 missions maybe) to take a month off, spend your life savings to rip out the LRMs in a torso to install that Gauss Rifle.  Knowing full well that there a chance it could get destroyed and he'll need to either find another Clan Gauss rifle, try to make an IS one work, or spend another month and his life savings again to put the LRMs back in.<br/><br/>Otherwise what good is the salvage and money to your character...<br/><br/>Matt