After the patch today I have a question normally the mech with the lower lvl begins the fight today my mech lvl 35 started against a lvl 40 and 38 in both of these fights I went second. Should this not be the other way round?

Also when I fought a few other battles with lvl 33 and 31 mech they went first as it should be. I am not sure when facing the higher level mechs I was going second. Was there some change in the patch today that affected the starting determination?

Only thing I can think of is I am using a lvl 35 build even though I am at lvl 43.

Same happend to me
I'm always the second, even if opponent is a few levels higher.

Check your player level. Is your PLAYER LEVEL lower than the other guys PLAYER LEVEL?

If not then that's why you start second even though your mech level is lower.

Why?
I know these disscussions about protecting "new" players from getting shattered into the ground by high level "pros". I fully agree.
But I can't find the reason why a level 54 mech operated by a level 60 player
should start first in a battle vs a level 51 mech operated by a level 80 player.
I think there is no difference between the playing experience (and the players ability to earn money for rare items), and if there is a small, little tiny one, it's not worth the first move.
You are NOT ! able to beat him because of this advance (3 level lower mech and loosing 200 health pts in first round).
Maybe this should be limited to a player level of 40 or 50.
After passing this point of exp, vs level of the mech should decide who starts first...
Otherwise its pretty unfair to players who are in game for a long time,.....

I feel the same way as you Tees.
Lets see what can be done.

The match should always be based on Mech level not level. There from my understanding is already a built in you can not fight below this level if you are a certain player level. I think it is player level divided by 2 or something. So a level 80 player who builds a lvl 35 mech would be matched at lowest level 40 mechs.

I think this change was silly. Personally I starting fight lower lvl mechs to find more matches as there are not as many higher level players yet.