In Tribes Ascend, each class has a base loadout of a primary and secondary weapon, as well as a "belt item" and other equipment. There is an option to purchase (with in-game experience or real-world currency gold) an alternate gun, belt item or what not.
Are these alternate purchasable options always an upgrade (more damage, accuracy, etc with no tradeoffs) over the standard loadout or are they simply "different"? Does investing in gold (or playing the game for a very long time) really give a significant advantage over players who do not?
Best Answer
It depends on the item. Generally you can't "buy power" by buying other weapons, since weapons suit other situations better or you prefer one weapon over the other. They are not straight-up more "powerful", even if it would seem like by looking at the stats, they mostly require more skill/accuracy in use or just fit better in certain situations.
For example, the new MIRV-Grenade for the Raider deals a lot more damage than the EMP-Grenade if all the shrapnel hits. But it's hard to make the grenade hit for its maximal damage. The EMP-Grenade has a utility effect by draining energy from enemy's making them "immobile". On the other hand the MIRV-Grenade can cover an area over an bigger time (first explosion -> shrapnel explosion).
In some cases the buy-able Weapon isn't a huge change in the usage/effect (e.g. the MIRV-Launcher for the Juggernaut or the new Sub-Machinegun for the Raider). In these cases it's up to you what you prefer.
So, you have to choose your loadout based on your preferences and the role you want to play.
To address your question: If someone gains advantage by buying stuff with gold, it simply depends on the players. But, given same skill-level, you only get situational advantages.
I think you can compare the gold from Tribes: Ascend with Riot points in League of Legends; it speeds up your progression. But you won't dominate in League of Legends by simply having a champion the other players do not.
I hope you get my point. :)