Merlion Type-IV has always was at 3.5, given that while all other parameters are equivalent to a late-3rd-gen, her power output is a mid-4G. And even when the arsenal was reduced to sensible levels, as you said, having 2 big cannons and 2 beam bazookas are still having 4 big cannons.
The rest of the posts when I get home. Posted from phone.