2 replies to this topic

[Solis Obscuri]

Right now ECM allows almost complete prohibition of Information Warfare capabilities to an opposing team. It is widely accepted as being unbalanced in effects and strength compared to other in-game technology, and as having too few effective counters besides itself.
As a result, we don't have as much Information Warfare now as we did just a few months ago; in bringing in Electronic Warfare it has been all but replaced as a feature. This wouldn't be quite so bad in EW was a more varied and interesting feature, but it isn't - it primarily revolves around one magic box that can be fitted to just five different 'mech variants and which allows the user to move through open spaces without detection, gain immunity to all homing weapons, and cut off enemy units from all communication with their friendly units. It does all this passively, without any needed input from the user; by contrast, the limited counters (TAG and soon PPC EMP effects) are much more heavily restricted and difficult to use.
It's a unipolar system and that doesn't make for a very compelling gameplay dynamic.
Now, under TT double-blind rules ECM didn't ever prevent indirect fire or LoS visual detection of enemy units, though under limited-visibility conditions (and when flanking a unit out of their FoV) it could be a stealth advantage by limiting sensor abilites; I'll bury the quoted sections behind a "Spoiler" tag to avoid death by wall of text here:

Spoiler

Quote

SPOTTING PHASE
During the Spotting Phase. the gamemaster checks to see if any enemy unit is seen by an opposing unit.
To perform spotting, the gamemaster checks his map sheets after plotting the movement of the players' units. He first determines if the units can detect any enemy unit visually. Then he checks to see if they can detect any enemy unit by using sensors. The gamemaster then informs each player of the location, facing and type of any enemy unit detected.
Units that start a double-blind game using the Hidden Units rules (p.77, BMR) cannot be spotted except by the methods outlined in the standard game rules. If a hidden unit fires, it is spotted only if an enemy unit could have seen it under the visual spotting rules.
VISUAL SPOTTING
A unit visually detects an enemy unit whenever three conditions are met. First, the enemy unit must lie within the forward firing arc of the spotting unit. Second, the spotter must have a clear line of sight to the enemy unit. Third, the enemy unit must be within the visual range of the spotting unit. Use the Visual Range Table to determine maximum visual range under various atmospheric conditions.

Spoiler

http://s7.postimage.org/4jg0jr9qz/visual_range_table.png

Vehicles with more than one crew member can spot in multiple firing arcs (see Vehicle Crews, p.28). Each additional crewmember beyond the first can spot in one additional firing arc, so that a vehicle with 4 or more crew members can spot in a 360 degree arc. Though infantry troops cannot see as far as BattleMechs or vehicles, they can serve as an excellent early warning system when properly deployed, because they offer the advantage of 360-degree spotting arcs.
SENSOR SPOTTING
Electronic sensors cover a wider field than most visual checks, but they can be fooled by the proper counter-measures. Electronic sensors operate in a 360-degree arc, regardless of the spotting unit's firing arc. All sensors, with the exception of seismic sensors, must have a line of sight to an enemy unit to  detect it. The ranges of various BattleTech electronic sensor systems appear in the Sensor Range Table, p. 54.
To use a sensor, the player rolls 2D6. A result of 7 or 8 means the sensor detects any unit within its short range. A result of 5 or 6 means the sensor detects units out to its medium range. A result of 2 to 4 means the sensor detects units out to its long range. A roll of 9 to 12 means the sensor failed to detect any units. A spotting unit may use only one type of sensor per turn, and the controlling player must indicate this choice on the movement chart for that turn. (Note that the probe and sensor rules provided here apply in double-blind games only.)

Spoiler

http://s7.postimage.org/q4l37d6hn/sensor_range_table.png

Three enemy 'Mechs surround Natalie's Raven. Daylight fills the battlefield, and the Raven sees the first enemy 'Mech easily-the machine is within the Raven's forward firing arc, the Raven has a valid LOS and the enemy unit is only 14 hexes away, well within the Raven's 60-hex visual range. The second 'Mech lies 12 hexes away, within the Raven's LOS but in its left-side firing arc. The third lies in the Raven's rear firing arc, 19 hexes away, again within its LOS. The Raven mounts a Beagle active probe, which Natalie has activated for this turn, and so the gamemaster rolls 2D6 to determine if her Raven spots the remaining two 'Mechs. The roll yields a result of 8, indicating that only units within short range are detected. This means that the Raven detects the second 'Mech, but not the third.
Vehicles have access to sensor systems similar to those used on 'Mechs, but in most cases these systems have shorter ranges, reflected in the Sensor Range Table. Infantry units do not have access to electronic sensors.
If seismic sensors are being used, any unit within range is spotted regardless of LOS. VTOLs cannot use seismic sensors, and they cannot be spotted by seismic sensors.
ECM SYSTEMS
Just as special sensors can make spottimg enemy units easier, special ECM systems can make units harder to detect. As a general rule, ECM systems mask a unit's nature and precise location from enemy sensors. but the systems' powerful jamming devices make it clear to the enemy that something is out there.
In the double-blind game, the Angel ECM suite, Guardian ECM suite and standard Clan ECM suites all modify the die roll results of spotting units attempting to detect an enemy unit equipped with such an ECM system. Because different ECM systems have different effects against different probes and sensors, the modifiers vary depending on the spotting unit's probe/sensor and the enemy unit's ECM system. These modifiers appear in the ECM Modifier Table.

Spoiler

http://s7.postimage.org/cz5l19cm3/ecm_stealth_mod_table.png

To be affected, the spotting unit must be in the normal operating radius ofthe ECM system. This radius is not affected by LOS. If a spotting unit is within the range of multiple ECM systems, combine the effects of all the ECM systems.
Though ECM systems can prevent a sensor probe from identifying a unit, they also produce powerful. distinctive electromagnetic "signatures." If a spotting unit is in range of an active ECM device and fails to detect the ECM-equipped unit, inform the player that his unit has been jammed by an ECM suite.
The rules given here for each of the probes and ECM systems only apply in double-blind games. For general BattleTech rules governing the Guardian and Clan ECM suites and the Beagle active probe, see pages 122, 126-127 of the BattleTech Master Rules. For general rules and descriptions of the Bloodhound active probe, see Equipment, page 72.

(Maximum Tech, p.50-51)

Looking over those level 3 rules, it's apparent that ECM works fairly well aginst some of the sensor types (RADAR and active probes) but does not jam other sensor types like IR, Magscan and Seismic sensors. Now if those were included in game (though perhaps with certain limitations) in additon to our basic sensor mode (let's assume it to be RADAR), the game of cat and mouse gets more interesting. Now units would have a way to detect, target and relay information on enemy units that are "cloaked", though perhaps with some limitations. IR might work less effectively on hot maps and more effectively on cold maps. Magscan might have different range brackets for different 'mech weight classes. Seismic might allow minimap/battlegrid detection of enemy units only when in motion and only at very close quarters, but be able to do so without LoS, though not actively target them that way.
For example, we could keep our current 800m LoS detection abilities for RADAR mode, as well as the current -75% weakness against ECM fields.
IR scans could operate at 75% of the range of RADAR (600m), but gain a +25% bonus (750m) on cold maps (like Frozen City) and against units running over 50% on their heat scale; on hot maps (like Caustic Valley) it might receive a -25% penalty (450m), and it might not be able to detect anything in areas of very high heat or obscuring smoke (the caldera in Caustic and near the fires raging in River City).
Magscan could work at 75% of RADAR range (600m) against assault 'mechs, 500m against heavies, 400m against mediums, but just 300m against lights. Local magnetic anomolies or areas with large amounts of metal present (like dense urban areas) could reduce its range further still, or block it altogether.
Seismic could allow minimap detections only within 150m, but no targeting by the 'mech using that mode; it'd be useful for direct-fire brawlers in tight quarters and urban maps, or to have one unit in a group run it to provide support to fellow units.
There could also be secondary effects - for instance, Flamer hits could "blind" IR scanners for 5 seconds or so (like PPCs are planned to temporarily disable ECM), and PPCs could have a secondary effect temporarily disabling Magscan for a few seconds as well.
You peer over the rim of the caldera in Caustic Valley. The intense heat has disabled your IR scanners, but you've switched to RADAR mode. Below, in the distance, you think you see movement - a string of enemy 'mechs marching up the 3 line. But they aren't showing up as targets - is ECM jamming you? You toggle to Magscan, and the pair of Atlai leading the formation pop up as D-DCs on your display - range of 580m. A little closer and those Catapults will be available as targets, too...
Suddenly, one of the K2s turns and launches a pair of bright blue bolts into you 'mechs torso. Your map scrambles, and you lose your sensor locks. Slamming your throttle into full reverse, you backpedal behind the safety of the volcano rim as a burning strings of LRMs hurtle towards you through the wavering toxic haze...

[Eddrick]

Magscan has been metiond by the devs. As a way to find units hiding behind buildings. It went by a slightly differant name.

I would love to see Seismic sensors. IR would be nice, too.

InnerSphereNews, on 04 January 2012 - 10:27 AM, said:

Each type of detection device may also have different primary or secondary modes of detection as follows:

• Night Vision – Allows players to see more detail in low light situations.
  
• Thermal Vision – Allows players to see heat signatures that can be detected through obstacles.
  
• Magnetometer Assisted – Allows players to detect metal and metal densities which can uncover a BattleMech hiding behind a building.

Some of these modes will not be available at launch, but I want to give you an overview of where we plan to take this concept

Edited by Eddrick, 29 January 2013 - 06:21 PM.

[Solis Obscuri]

Eddrick, on 29 January 2013 - 06:17 PM, said:

Magscan has been metiond by the devs.  As a way to find units hiding behind buildings.  It went by a slightly differant name.

I would love to see Seismic sensors.  IR would be nice, too.

They did mention it quite a while ago, but at the time they were also discussing skill trees in quite a different light than what they eventually settled for in the module system. I haven't seen any further information about alternate scanning or vision modes since then, have you?