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[CallMeGunny]

I have a set of suggestions for the NARC, to make it more playable. I also have a little discussion to cover beforehand, to be clear on what the NARC is for and how to best accomplish that while retaining game balance.

The general idea of a NARC Missile/Pod:
A magnetic tracking device, used to aid in spotting for missiles.

As it currently stands (to my knowledge) the NARC is a very slow firing projectile (velocity is about half of an AC/20) which fits into a ballistic hardpoint. The NARC "tracks" (increases incoming missile tracking strength, reduces target decay) for 20 seconds before ceasing to function.

In random PUGs (pick up games) the NARC often serves little to no purpose, even if a shot is landed. This is (in my opinion) due more to it's effective time than anything. So my suggestion is to increase effective time, WITHOUT increasing the power of the NARC when used by a team in communication with each other.

Here's how:
Allow the NARC infinite or greatly increased time (upwards of 1 minute), BUT give the projectile a small amount of HP. To further avoid abuse, there are a few modifiers to consider:

-Due to the ability to exploit HP in communications with teammates, or in general (plant NARC on leg to avoid destruction as LRMs rarely hit legs of larger 'mechs) make the NARC take damage anytime a 'mech does. So that regardless where the NARC impacted, it will take damage even if that part of the affected 'mech's body is not hit.

This way, you can plant a NARC on an enemy 'mech. If said mech then runs away, the NARC remains active. But after taking X amount of damage, the NARC is disabled: Even if the damage comes from a non-missile weapon such as a laser.

In my opinion, this would give the NARC purpose when playing with other random players: As even if they don't notice the affected 'mech right away the next time they target that mech there is a chance (if affected 'mech hasn't been damaged since) that the NARC beacon will still be active.

It would also fit the medium-range profile of a NARC more, as it seems ideal for planting on 'mechs who play peekaboo: popping in and out of a hill dodging missiles and other fire.

[Corvus Antaka]

unless ECM is changed NARC needs to work vs ECM or it will be useless forever vs TAG.