Contracts: 1e or 2e?

[u/moonwhisperderpy]

TLDR; what are your pros and cons of 1e and 2e contracts? What do you like, what you don't, what would you change?

I am about to run a Changeling game, but I want to attempt to homebrew a version that takes the best of both editions.

I am currently stuck on Contracts, specifically Arcadian ones. I can't choose whether to use the 1e system or 2e, or how to blend the two. Each has some pros and cons in my opinion:

First edition Contracts Pros: * divided by theme rather than Regalia. Elementals have Contracts of Elements, Beasts have Contracts of Fang&Talon. This makes more sense to me than Might of Terrible Brute being more favored by Elementals rather than Ogres. * wide amount of material from 1e books * some lists are Universal, and it's easier to add a new thematic list

Cons: * linear progression, where powers need to be purchased in sequence * Each list has only 5 powers * some powers are very narrow in scope

Second edition Contracts Pros: * generally more flexible to use * more flexible to be reflavored by different characters as well. Characters can buy out of seeming contracts, after all. Some Contracts are very flavor-specific though. * picked individually, players get the powers they like instead of having to go through a sequence * introduces the extra seeming benefits, which are like little upgrades that can be purchased, although I don't find it always a good design. For instance, some seeming benefits radically change the whole premise of the Contract (for example, using Overpowering Dread, standing in the shadows, to... Swoon the target with the Fairest benefit?) * I have no problems with Court Contracts

Cons: * I don't like the division in Regalia, which are divisions by function instead of theme. So now by default Elementals are the heavy hitters and Ogres are the protectors, for instance, instead of leaving the choice of "party role" to the players. And somehow Contracts which are resonant with a seeming's theme are not always favored by that character because they're in a different Regalia. Shield Contracts feel very little ogre-ish to me. * 2e contracts are often updated versions of 1e ones, taken from all books and supplements. Which means that, while Regalia are divisions by function, they include a mix a contracts from a wide range of different themes. Mastermind Gambit was originally from the 1e Contracts of the Board and several Mirror Contracts are originally from Contracts of Reflection. And they are very tied to their flavor. * as mentioned, some seeming benefits radically change the contract, instead of being just upgrades on the basic premise. To the point they could almost be different contracts, with different flavors and loopholes.

I don't know wether I should choose one system or the other. I was thinking of attempting to update the 1e lists with 2e contracts, but it's not that straightforward. Contracts of Stone for example have almost no correspondence with any 2e versions. Or some have been merged together into a single contract, that can fit multiple themes.

What do you think? What do you like best about 1e and 2e contracts, and what do you think doesn't work? How would you blend the two?