As someone who's neutral on the antagonist system, this is my take: If they remove it, fine. If they don't, that's fine too. Optional? Fine by me.
But I think all parties agree that things NEED to change about the system...
For me, playing against antags has honestly made me a much better player and can be VERY fun and exhilarating at times! But on the flip side, high level antags absolutely CRUSHING new/low level players and extending mission times, while lessening rewards...not so much.
Speaking of, these are just my suggestions to the system:
-NO antags in mentor matches! "Beginner" should be classified as lv 1-19 honestly (basically the lowest tier). OR get rid of the MMR system and have set difficulties. Lite for beginners ONLY w/no antag, medium w/optional, and intense/insane w/what it is now. The former 2 would get lesser rewards of course, since MSE insist on antag (which I have no problems with).
-Better rewards for raiders vs antag and much better rewards for antag winning. Facing an antag should give you a base gold/FPs bonus (and a little extra depending on antag level and such).
-Along the same line as above, get rid of the "speed bonus" if there is an antag. Aside from rare occasions of complete massacres (on either side), Antag matches always takes more time than just with the AI. Players shouldn't be punished with lesser rewards because of it...
-On blueprint missions, I think antag should be optional maybe? But having an antag gives you even better chances of getting one if you win.
(Blueprint system needs to change too, but's another story...)
-Antags SHOULD be vulnerable to boss AOE attacks. Hell, take half damage atleast. The fact they aren't has always been some BS lol.
But yeah, that's just how I feel. LOVE this game to death and don't mind the anatag system, but it could benefit with some tweaking...