16 replies to this topic

[AnEnragedGamer]

Thread title says it all.

Why are only a few models of mech allowed to carry ECM? What is that, exactly?

Increase the ECM size to six critical slots, make it heavier, whatever. But allow us to slap it into whatever damn mech we want to.





Of course, this will require massive balancing to keep LRMs and streaks effective. Changes to game mechanics. Etc etc.


But right now, the gameplay in pug matches comes down to this: Got a DDC, raven ECM version, or any other ECM mech on your team? Yay! You could win!

Don't have a DDC, Raven, or other ECM mech on your team? Say hello to the spectator seat, because you're eating missiles all day long.



It's highly unfair that non-grouped players are basically pidgeon-holed into choosing certain mechs.

And sure, HURRRRR LEARN TO USE COVER <--- canned response from those people who hide behind ridges with 2x LRM20s. But I don't enjoy hiding behind a rock for 90% of the game. That's why I made this account so I could test out a DDC atlas. And guess what? With the addition of my ECM, I don't die to missiles, and my team wins twice as often as when I was piloting my CATs.

Games should come down to skill and forethought, not what model of mech you're running. And sure, say that 'purchasing ECM IS forethought!' but it's really not. It's forcing you to choose a certain mech, and play a certain way to enjoy playing the game. And that's just broken.



Pre-made teams are obviously exempt from this problem, because they plan beforehand and get two people in ECM mechs! \o/

If only PUG matches could be planned.







Added in the poll. Basically, do you think that players are forced into choosing certain mechs to be competetive in non-group scenarios? Groups are not included in this poll because a group without a single ECM mech is ********.

The second question is: do you think that ALL mechs should have access to ECM with drawbacks? Drawbacks could be: crit space usage, weight, etc etc.

Edited by AnEnragedGamer, 22 March 2013 - 09:47 AM.

[MasterErrant]

the devs obviously want this imbalance and arms race mentality in the game even though they've stated otherwise. Everything they've done and new addition is aimed at raking in cash rather than improving the game. I'm beginning to wonder if they even plan to finish the game...just keep it in beta till they've milked it dry

[Tekadept]

Retracted

Edited by Tekadept, 23 March 2013 - 07:22 AM.

[Atheus]

You forgot to add a poll. It's a pity, though, since LRM's are basically a tasty snack right now, rather than a full meal. I'm sure they didn't intend to balance ECM by making missiles pointless, but that's pretty much what they did!

[Corvus Antaka]

id rather see mech4 type active passive ecm/bap radar system with the MWO ECM then brought in to function as it does now except without the stealth bubble to teammates and the ability to completely stop missile locks needs to be taken away from the current ECM.

[AnEnragedGamer]

Added in the poll.

[Aesthetech]

If they keep ECM at the current power level, it should be accessible by all mechs, and it certainly does pigeonhole right now.

[Spirit of the Wolf]

Does not pigeonhole.
Well, at least not for me.

Hell, I run in a D-DC all the time, and I don't use ECM on it.
Yes, you read that correctly. I. DO. NOT. USE. ECM. ON. MY. D-DC.

Why not?
Feels too E-Z mode.
(Also, it makes me a magnet for PPC and missiles, and I'm a priority target. Kinda odd that I last longer without the ECM, but I won't question it.)

I run cataphracts, catapults, jenners, atlai, jagers, awesomes, hunchies, occasionally even my stalkers. and rarely my spiders.
(I don't use ECM on anything except the spider, because it's absolutely pathetic otherwise.)
Why am I able to do this?
Because I'm experience enough to know when to fight, and when to run; attack the people who are weaker than you, or band together and take out the big ones.

I'm not saying ECM is balanced, because it is most definitely NOT -- but it causes the largest problems on 2D and 3L, mostly the 3L. This is because they can mount missiles -- namely, STREAKS -- in addition to the ECM, and the ECM prevents lights from taking them out with their own streaks. The 3L is the bigger issue by far though:
When they attack bigger mechs, it's not really the ECM that's the problem; it's the fact that the 3L is running circles around you at close range, giving it a bit of a lagshield (you need to lead it properly, and the lead is different for missiles, lasers, and ballistics), and that it's got a screwed-up hitbox which is almost completely counter intuitive. Also, its legs are like toothpicks.
Ever tried to hit a toothpick moving at 150kph with a laser? Or worse, a bullet which doesn't fire immediately, and that has a travel-time?
It's not easy.

Edited by Spirit of the Wolf, 22 March 2013 - 01:47 PM.

[Oppresor]

I agree that the ECM option should be open to all units. Personally I don't use it, but that doesn't mean that I shouldn't have the option for certain builds and mission types.

My preferred class is Assault and I normally run an Atlas; however, I have just acquired a Spider to experiment with Recon work and lance integration (Not as a Commander). The Spider is an incredible unit, it's size, speed and jump jet capability make it (in my opinion) the best recon unit on the battlefield (until we get the Flea). The only snag is that it would seem that it can't carry ECM, or at least it's not listed in my loadout options. ECM lends itself to the Recon role allowing the Recon unit to stealthily close to visual range of enemy units where it could send back targeting information to the main Assault group.

Because of the lack of ECM option for my Recon Spider, I have taken the opposite approach and fitted it with an AMS unit which has well and truly proved its worth. True it can give away my position, but it also improves survivability against LRM barrages when I am trying to feedback tactical data to my lance via the chat line.

[Spirit of the Wolf]

Actually, the Spider 5D can equip ECm.

[Werewolf486 ScorpS]

No ecm for everyone......do you want to **** the game up?

[Khanublikhan]

I cannot agree with ECM on every mech.

It does not fit the game lore. Also, mech's benefit from having different abilities, strengths and weaknesses. If every mech could do every role, every mech would be mediocre / the same.

[Oppresor]

Spirit of the Wolf, on 23 March 2013 - 05:58 AM, said:

Actually, the Spider 5D can equip ECm.

Yep I have just discovered that, mine is a K. What I can confirm is that it's working really well as a pure Recon unit in the new Tourmaline Desert scenario.

[Roadbeer]

Every time I see someone suggest that ECM should be available for all mechs, I want to punch a kitten.

[Hotthedd]

I think every variant of ECM equippable CHASSIS should be able to equip ECM, but not every mech. Keep ECM on Spiders, Commandos, Ravens, Cicadas, and Atlases, but other mechs have different roles.

[TheArcher]

Spirit of the Wolf: Does you having ECM extend the life of your team? If you die more quickly, but your team wins more frequently, would that be something to consider? If it doesn't help your team, then no, ECM would be a bad idea.

Khanublikhan: Game lore doesn't seem like a good reason to me. If "real" mech pilots found they needed more ECM, wouldn't they put a gun to the head of the Mech designers to make it happen? Similarly, I hate the limited view of the sensor suite. Us 21st century humans have figured out how to put sensors on the back of our vehicles. Shouldn't the 31st century engineers who built these walking tanks be able to do the same? Again, proper motivation might help.

Werewolf486: I already feel the game is messed up with ECM. If it can be put on a 30 ton mech, why not a 65 ton mech? Other option: remove ECM entirely.

Edited by TheArcher, 26 March 2013 - 07:12 AM.

[General Taskeen]

Once ECM is non-stealth. The OP, me, and everyone else will rejoice. If not, then PGI went full re-tard.