Currently only 4 months in and only 10 or so names on the wall due to unfortunate hits (criticals) and being a cheap-ass on armor for fear of repairs, I haven't even unlocked the MECs suits. Most work has been done the biology side using basic laser weapons for the past month and working out the air game. That said 2 abductors were taken with no casualties, and that is no easy feat especially as a 3rd mission(many hospitalized though).

Considering MECs don't have incredibly good uses in my eyes, besides massive damage dealers from my experience with the end of the original Enemy Within game-play (non-modded), is there any reason to push for them? With the new setup those technologies are buried far within the armor and energy trees meaning it, without proper dedicated time, cannot be accomplished without neglecting the basic soldiers which I plan on getting legitimate sniper rifles shortly(research damaged by a high need of weapon fragments) and damaging my air game further. Granted those paths will cross with the need of the firestorm but the point stands, with psionics showing more promise. And no I am not a fan of gene mods besides second heart, neural blocking, and leg mods.

With this long ramble stated, is there any reason to start actual production of MECs within the first 7 months of game-play in long war?