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Secondly, ECM itself still needs more adjusting beyond just limited where it can be placed and removing the IFF jamming ability. Currently, ECM jams sensors, electronics, and missiles all in one single mode without any vulnerabilities. The anti-missile portion of ECM should be moved to a third mode and toned down to where it increases lock on time for missiles rather than an all out counter -- ECM's function needs to be segmented towards specific functions rather than the all-in-one wonder box we have now. 'Mechs should be hindered without counters to ECM, but not completely nullified like in the case of missiles or sensors.
Expanding on the idea of ECM being locked into a hardpoint, perhaps every 'Mech should receive a dedicated "Equipment" hardpoint, some like historically niche builds like the electronic warfare oriented Raven have several. All tertiary equipment that isn't an Upgrade (ie Artemis) can be placed into these hard points. The exclusive AMS hardpoint should also be included in this new equipment list.
Suggested Beagle Active Probe changes:
-- Active radar, can locate and track targets within a 120 meter, 360 degree radius around the 'Mech, including 'Mechs outside of line of sight if they are not shut down or protected by a Guardian ECM suite.
-- Probe ability, pilots can utilize the Beagle Active Probe to gain a more in depth sensor readout of a target to include exact and current armor/structure levels, item placement, engine type, ect. in the form of a windowed readout accessible by a keybind to allow a probing unit detect for weaknesses in the enemy 'Mech such as ammunition stored in a leg with low armor.
-- Counter ECM's proposed Ghost Target third mode
-- ECM in disrupt mode counters Beagle's active radar, probing ability, and ability to discern Ghost Targets
as false targets
Suggested changes to Narc Beacon
-- Remove any time limit for the Beacon's signal.
-- If the Narc Missile Beacon hits a 'Mech's armor, it is active until the armor is stripped from that location. If it hits a location already stripped of armor, it is active until the location is destroyed.
-- Give the Narc Beacon launcher a lock-on effect like LRM's
-- Targets locked by a Narc Beacon can be targeted and appear on radar regardless of line of sight, unless blocked by a Guardian ECM field. ECM only blocks Narc beacon as long as the affected 'Mech remains in the protective radius. 'Mechs carrying Guardian ECM are not affected by Narc.
-- Missile attacks against enemies affected by Narc that are not in line of sight do not receive Beagle's missile grouping benefits
Suggested Changes to ECM:
-- Anti-missile capabilities are moved to a third mode, Ghost Target Mode. Missile attacks against 'Mechs protected by ECM in Ghost Target mode have increased lock on time. Ghost Target mode also adds several false targets to enemy sensors that MechWarriors have to cycle through to find real targets. Beagle Active Probe identifies false targets as Ghost Targets, and nullifies the additional lock on time. Disrupt mode still affects Beagle Active Probe in the 180m ECM radius and counters its ability to nullify the additional lock on time and ability to detect false targets as ghosts.
-- Remove the block out of sensor locking to targets in line of sight; 'Mechs can be targeted but no further information will be shared with the sensors such as 'Mech type, variant type, weapons loadout, or damage readout.
-- Protects against detection by Beagle Active Probe when outside line of sight in Disrupt mode, and protects against sensor probing by Beagle Active Probe while in line of sight.
For Information Warfare to have depth and variety, all equipment involved needs to be useful in its own right, and should be self-contained without requiring other equipment or weapons to function like in the case of PPC being a counter to ECM. There should be thought and consideration in selecting what information warfare equipment to take, rather than a no-brainer choice to picking ECM like we currently have.
Edited by DocBach, 09 April 2013 - 07:15 AM.
