: I'll take microtransacted booster packs in multiplayer that I'll never buy if
: that gets me free DLC, with some hesitation. I didn't mind it in ME3
: because that was purely a co-op multiplayer, but I'm not sure if it'll be
: so harmless in PvP.

: We'll find out.

One of the first things that crossed my mind regarding this new mode is the ability to buy power weapons (snipers, rockets etc). On the surface, that seems really bad.

Thinking about it more and having watched the game play video, I'm not too worried about it. I still don't quiet understand how the power-levels or whatever they are fully dictate what you can use, but what I noticed is that it wasn't as if the game starts, someone uses a card for a sniper right away, and go to town. (With the exception of weapons placed ON the map, if any)

No.

It looked metered, similar to Invasion phases. This is a good thing. I don't know if it was over time, by score or by kills, but some combination of those.

I hypothesize there will be a few different arch types of players and how they use their cards.

Low skill, lots of money : This player buys lots of cards so they can have power weapons every time they spawn. And re-spawning is what they do best, because they get killed a lot. So their "advantage" is negated, and the opposing team might actually benefit from the free power-ups.

High skill, lots of money : This is the worst scenario. Player that is fantastic with a Sniper, buys cards, uses them frequently, runs amok on other team. These types will be uncommon, but will exist.

Low, Average, High skill; doesn't spend money : This is where the overwhelming majority of players will be. They earn cards through regular progression. Some may burn em as soon as they get em, others will use them conservatively, others still may never use them. They'll get what they need from the battle field, either via traditional spawn pickups, or from fallen foes\teammates.

Generally, there should be no fear of Scorpion, Banshees and lasers right at the start. That wouldn't make any sense. It seems to be some mixture of Invasion, Dominion, and Slayer.

Also, one would hope there are other more traditional MP modes, where none of the above matters anyway. So, if MS wants to make a few bucks off people who have the money to burn in one game mode to subsidize the free maps for all- more power to em. That's not doing anything that hasn't already been done in other games, I guess.