The only way to remain competitive though is to spend a TON of money! You will hit a point, where unless you have deep pockets you won't be able to upgrade mechs due to the amount of A-coins you have to use! For instance, I have hit a point where I would have to spend over 400 USD in order to upgrade my Mech and Weapons (not including the money needed to upgrade my pilots). I have started seeing fully upgraded mech, weap,pilots. Unless they have spent over a thousand USD, lots of cheaters then.