Have you recently changed your gear?

I've found myself fighting 6 levels higher than my own on SM, without changing any parts to my mech. Normally it's when I haven't been able to find a game for a while.

I've always just assumed it's because they never changed the matchmaking finding levels from the older version of SM where the levels were maxed at 70 and not 30. Back then it didn't matter so much if your opponent was quite a few levels higher than you.

Yeah, I am also noticing how the whole "first attack" is screwed up.

I use an incredibly low level build, and sacrifice the level 16 blasters for the level 13 ones. Most of the time, this isn't a problem, but I also have to fight those who have a legendary torso and like 2 legendary weapons, making it impossible for me to win against them. I think that the first attack should be based off of mech power more than mech rating, as an incredibly powerful mech is unstoppable if attacking first.

Also, I am also fighting ridiculously higher levels. As a level 15, every 1 out of 3 games is usually against someone who has a level like 18 or 19, and I once even fought against a level 21. The developers have to fix this, as I am more or less a sitting duck for higher level mechs to come and take my rating.