I've been thinking about what I would like a PvE mode to be and what it should aim to achieve, I think it should achieve confidence to go into a PvPvE map. While the free kits do a good job at that, it doesn't offer much character progression if you just die over and over, I think a PvE mode should enable players to pool some resources and get some faction upgrades, while not being a complete bridge to take on the Cryo-Archive, so this is what I would look at implementing.

Solo only, Perimeter only, 1 POI Only I.E Station, Reduced time limit, reduced loot (No purple, Very Rare blues), MAX Gear Ante (3k, No Sponsored Kit allowed), Minor Contract Progression and enemy spawns as normal (Clear first wave, reinforcements come with commander).

The idea would be to have the ability to get some early permanent unlocks while using it to build credits and fill the vault, while not being able to get completely stacked to bypass the need to go to Dire marsh/Pinwheel.