Thats a good idea, and what you're basically saying is gear based matchmaking.

People will say that it wont work because what if they bring Proto weapons or modules or whatever.

Well, I think gear based match making is absolutely viable. in STD low risk contracts you can ONLY use STD suits, in ADV medium risk matches you can ONLY use ADV suits, and in High risk contracts there are no restrictions.

BUT this restriction is purely for suits and does not apply to weapons or modules or the like, WHY? because the suits are balanced by CPU and PG output.

Simple.

I don't have Militia. ADV suits cost roughly 60-70k and they are my cheap suits.

everyone has access to all militia gear

I actually like this idea. For those who are interested in a somewhat fair fight, public contract split into different divisions with progressively higher risks and rewards in PvP matches sounds brilliant!

However, I still want to preserve a free-for-all like we still have, because for me, being restricted to my own level defeats the purpose of increasing in power and level. In Eve online, the whole end point of skilling up is to become more powerfull and adaptable. I still enjoy matches were different levels of might clash together. But if I am ever in the mood for something more "sports" like, then different tiered based matches would be my cup of tea.

So you are talking about the no risk, all reward stuff as having some sort of weakness to it, lol. And that it should be used only in rare occasions, well, first of all you would have to make it risk vs reward stuff, or all risk, no reward. Only then would you see people stop using them all the time.

With the new aim assist system helping to level the playing field a bit, I see no need to segregate militia and proto users. If you want to run cheap fits, go for it. If you want the edge in combat and have a better chance at taking others down, you pay the premium.

This is not saying that the aim assist has made militia equal to proto. I'm saying that if you want an advantage, you're going to have to pay for it.

MM based on total Meta Level per suit.
Suits with 0-15 total Meta are eligible for lower tier.
Suits with 16-30 total Meta are eligible for mid tier battles.
Suits with 30+ total Meta go to Pro level.

Too easy?

Since 1.4 I have found that using proto in pubs is going to empty my wallet faster than it can replenish itself (granted it would take a long time, but still I like to be in the positive even if I don't need it). And with the payouts often being less than 200k in ambush, if I die more than once I am in the hole (2 suits cost me 366k currently).

I have always wanted to see KDR as a stat gone, and I think the idea of ISK loss/gain stats at the end of the match would be pretty awesome.

But what happens when you have 300 million + ISK?

Money is irrelevant for many people :/

I dont happen to share your point of view, however less proto in pubs would help new players out. But if you set foot on the battlefield representing a top tier corp like 0.H, or you are a closed beta veteran why run anything less than proto after all the hard grinding and time and energy put in to get access to that 1 item.

with 1.4 deployment i have been noticing veterans downgrading their equipment because of how lethal weapons are with the increased hit detection and aim assist.