Agent l I think you and I remember a vastly different nc1. Freezer cannon wielding tanks were prevalent in nc1 and it was shit. People left in droves due to campaigns against freezing. Giving someone the chance to maintain a freeze on a player will just lead to bigger teams of players going around freezing solo and small groups of players.

The great thing about nc currently is that even if you get jumped then you have a chance to fight back. With balancing this will become even easier as the ttk ought to go up a little with some weapons. This is a good thing. Anything which shortens that again and removes or inhibits the ability of the defender to fight back is a terrible thing. Do you remember the campaign to remove para on these forums?

Having a pure energy effect makes them not be freezer guns any more and so could confuse people. However bringing them back into viable use is a great idea. I would want to see pure damage only being the effects of use. Nothing else at all. Ever.