Jump to content

Should Ecm Be Available To All Chassis?


88 replies to this topic

Poll: Should ECM be available to all chassis? (297 member(s) have cast votes)

Should ECM be available to all chassis?

  1. YES (58 votes [19.53%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 19.53%

  2. YES, BUT WITH SIGNIFICANT LIMITATIONS (28 votes [9.43%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 9.43%

  3. NO (103 votes [34.68%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 34.68%

  4. FUDGE NO! U CRAZY?? (99 votes [33.33%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 33.33%

  5. UNDECIDED (9 votes [3.03%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 3.03%

Vote Guests cannot vote

#1 Hansh0tfirst

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 119 posts

Posted 15 November 2012 - 09:49 PM

Assuming ECM (Electronic Countermeasures, Beagle Active Probe, etc.) is worthwhile and effective when it's implemented, should all mechs be able to equip it?

Personally, I'm going to be hard pressed to justify the three Ravens sitting in my garage if Jenner pilots will also be able to field ECM and be anywhere near as effective. But that's my own bias. What do you think?

#2 Kaspirikay

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Giant Helper
  • 2,050 posts

Posted 15 November 2012 - 10:02 PM

How would ECM work?

#3 Devil Fox

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Infernal
  • The Infernal
  • 1,393 posts
  • LocationThe Fox Den

Posted 15 November 2012 - 10:03 PM

Considering their already testing the ECM package on other mechs outside of scouts... they mentioned K2 Guass with ECM becoming OP even more... as their initial testing proved it far too effective at countering LRM batteries, I would hope they limit it to certain chassis that are based on scouting. That includes some Raven variants, Cicada variants, the Jenner and Commando are head-hunters and skirmishers.

Yet to see how they'll implement the Spider though.

#4 That Guy

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Civil Servant
  • Civil Servant
  • 1,057 posts

Posted 15 November 2012 - 10:05 PM

i hope that at a minimum the electronic gear takes up the AMS hard-point (which should be renamed).

but other than that i was really hoping that electronic gear would be limited. why take a raven when you can do the same to a jenner?

#5 Undead Bane

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 535 posts

Posted 15 November 2012 - 10:10 PM

Posted Image

#6 Hansh0tfirst

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 119 posts

Posted 15 November 2012 - 10:13 PM

View PostKaspirikay, on 15 November 2012 - 10:02 PM, said:

How would ECM work?


Not certain. The best info I have is from the unofficial MWO wiki:

Electronic Countermeasure (ECM) - a device that jams enemy sensors to a degree.
Beagle Active Probe - a sensor suite that enhances the units onboard detection systems. Essentially it boosts radar coverage, locking and scan strength.

Also there's this from the Command Chair entry by Bryan Ekman (http://mwomercs.com/...0-into-the-lab/):

ECM

We've had several internal playtests. Overall I'm excited to see this hit the battlefield, as it adds a very interesting tactical component. However, in its current state is very overpowered and makes certain mech builds even more useful (Gausspults). There was some general usability feedback from the team. Some found it hard to visualize, others wanted more indication that a friendly unit had an ECM equipped.

We're keeping it in test until some HUD/BattleGrid changes help smooth out communication, along with making sure the ECM is not OP. For those wanting to hide from LRMs, this will be your must have item.

#7 Ezrekiel

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 150 posts

Posted 15 November 2012 - 10:15 PM

Yes, it should - but it should not be a requirement on every Mech so game design/balance needs to be adjusted carefully on this one.

Make it an option. The Hardpoint system is already limiting variety and that horribly 1.4 DHS nerf killed a ton of otherwie viable builds too.
Don't kill variety please.

#8 Dankh

    Member

  • PipPipPip
  • Bad Company
  • Bad Company
  • 56 posts
  • LocationMelbourne, Australia

Posted 15 November 2012 - 10:19 PM

certain chassis such as the raven should have Electronics Module slots. Similar to other modules but only for ECM/BAP, it would make limiting these to the mechs they are meant to be on not K2 ghost mechs

#9 Kaelus

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 311 posts

Posted 15 November 2012 - 10:20 PM

Considering it's the entire reason the Raven exists.....meh PGI is gonna do what they do.

#10 Hansh0tfirst

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 119 posts

Posted 15 November 2012 - 10:21 PM

View PostEzrekiel, on 15 November 2012 - 10:15 PM, said:

Yes, it should - but it should not be a requirement on every Mech so game design/balance needs to be adjusted carefully on this one.

Make it an option. The Hardpoint system is already limiting variety and that horribly 1.4 DHS nerf killed a ton of otherwie viable builds too.
Don't kill variety please.


I'm not necessarily trying to change your opinion, but since you seem in favor of variety, I'm curious...

Why would you pilot a Raven if a Jenner could field ECM and be just as effective?

#11 James Warren

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 213 posts

Posted 15 November 2012 - 10:32 PM

I think so long as a specialised electronic warfare mech like a Raven can do it better, I'm alright with it. I remember reading something along the lines of a mech like a Raven having more slots for this type of equipment than your average mech.

I think its in the game's best interest if great care is taken to preserve mech diversity. I do love customization and seeing different players' loadouts, but at the same time I think you should expect something like a Raven to perfom a certain role and to do it well; to have its own niche on the battlefield.

#12 ebea51

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Elite Founder
  • Elite Founder
  • 435 posts
  • LocationWestern Australia

Posted 15 November 2012 - 10:54 PM

NAH.

ECM should be a few varient and few chassis specific otherwise EVERYONE will roll with it and would negate the TEAM-ROLE playing aspect of MWO.

Restricting it will enable people to play more intelligently and tactially with groups considering what they consist of instead of everyone just going 'PFFFTTT' and all rolling out on it.

#13 rollermint

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The 1 Percent
  • 418 posts

Posted 15 November 2012 - 11:02 PM

Someone else said it but I like the idea that all mechs have ECM hardpoints but certain mechs, like the Raven particularly, have more ECM hardpoints and thus receives larger bonuses.

#14 Adridos

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Bridesmaid
  • 10,635 posts
  • LocationHiding in a cake, left in green city called New A... something.

Posted 15 November 2012 - 11:02 PM

Giving everyone access to ECM is like having a medic in the game (in our case, Raven), while everyone has health packs, auto-heal and other such fix it yourself equipment. ;)

Simply, NO.

#15 icey

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • The Devoted
  • The Devoted
  • 301 posts
  • LocationLondon, UK

Posted 15 November 2012 - 11:05 PM

pretty sure when they talk about k2's becoming more powerful, theyre talking about LRMs generally being less effective when any friendlies are using ECM, hence gauss builds like the k2 becoming the dominant way to deal damage at distance - not suggesting that the k2 with ECM itself becomes too powerful.

ECM should be a pretty specialist role, distinct from the support brawler or scout/spotter - there arent a ton of reasons to own ravens otherwise.

#16 Tickdoff Tank

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Bad Company
  • Bad Company
  • 2,647 posts
  • LocationCharlotte NC

Posted 15 November 2012 - 11:10 PM

I am torn. In many ways I want ECM to be available for all mechs. But I also see the problems with this, so I am fine with it being limited. I just hope that it is not *too* limited. I would hope that there is at least 1 variant for each chassis that can mount an ECM, preferably the variant that is the "weakest" or most specialized.

As an example, the Hunchback 4G. Usually considered the weakest of the Hunchbacks, mainly because the 4H is able to do almost everything that the G can do but with more energy slots. Giving the 4G the ability to mount an ECM (along with it's only advantage, 3 ballistic points in the hunch) would help that mech out a lot. Same for the Jenner variant that is overshadowed by the others.

Please note: When I say "weakest variant" I am not saying that those variants are useless, just that they could use *something* to make them stand out a bit more than they currently do, and ECM/BAP might be a way to increase their desirability compared to the other variants available.

#17 Obadiah333

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Bridesmaid
  • Bridesmaid
  • 638 posts
  • LocationWest Coast, Oregon

Posted 15 November 2012 - 11:13 PM

If you want to waste the tonnage and space for it on your mech, then you should be able to have it. I am all for certain mechs having more slots for this type of equipment, but everyone should have access to it. Just think of how the game would be if AMS were limited to only certain variants. What variant's do you think people would be playing? Especially if they buff up LRM's again, which is liable to happen given the amount of people whining that their easy button is broke. It should be available to all mechs.

Maybe all mechs could have one or the other (ecm, bap) but only a few chassis could mount both. That limits the OP'ness of it while still allowing some diversity.

#18 LynxFury

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 235 posts
  • LocationWA state

Posted 15 November 2012 - 11:26 PM

Don't recommend EW bags.

Less than 10% of CBT IS mechs had any variants with ECM.

At our current point only the Raven-3L that's in the game. Eventually ('58 and '60) there's an Hunchback-5P, Atlas and Awesome with one variant each equipped with ECM.

From either a CBT purest (which I'm not) or as a player that wants to keep some variety in the game, I think ECM should be only available for very few mech variants

#19 Tragaperras

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • The Raider
  • The Raider
  • 146 posts
  • LocationSpain

Posted 15 November 2012 - 11:29 PM

allowing to mount ECM on any chassis is the same as allowing any mech to use jumpjets.
A blasphemy!

#20 Hansh0tfirst

    Member

  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 119 posts

Posted 15 November 2012 - 11:35 PM

View PostTickdoff Tank, on 15 November 2012 - 11:10 PM, said:

I am torn. In many ways I want ECM to be available for all mechs. But I also see the problems with this, so I am fine with it being limited. I just hope that it is not *too* limited. I would hope that there is at least 1 variant for each chassis that can mount an ECM, preferably the variant that is the "weakest" or most specialized.

As an example, the Hunchback 4G. Usually considered the weakest of the Hunchbacks, mainly because the 4H is able to do almost everything that the G can do but with more energy slots. Giving the 4G the ability to mount an ECM (along with it's only advantage, 3 ballistic points in the hunch) would help that mech out a lot. Same for the Jenner variant that is overshadowed by the others.

Please note: When I say "weakest variant" I am not saying that those variants are useless, just that they could use *something* to make them stand out a bit more than they currently do, and ECM/BAP might be a way to increase their desirability compared to the other variants available.


Problem...

The "weakest" Jenner still overshadows the "strongest" Raven.

It features a lower profile, jumpjets, the same armor capacity, at least as many weapon hardpoints (if not more), and can be fitted with a considerably larger engine.





1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users