4 replies to this topic

[Skyfaller]

Below is a list of suggestions I think would make the game more balanced, interactive and fun:

1. Change to ECM mechanics:

ECM has 2 modes: ECM and ECCM.

ECM mode:

- Prevents detection of ECM-equipped mech at any range.
- Cloaks friendly mechs 20m radius from the ECM mech only.
* Jamming Functionality in tandem with TAG module. Jamming includes: Prevent targeted mech from achieving target lock, delay target info gathering on jammed mech by 200%, cause HUD to flicker (almost like shut-down sequence static), break any locks that mech has.
* Virus functionality when NARC equipped.

ECCM mode:

- Emits ECCM pulse every 5 seconds in all directions out to 200m. ECCM pulse de-activates any ECM cloaking and jamming. This is an LOS function, does not work through rock.
- Friendly mechs 'touched' by this pulse gain 3 seconds immunity from jamming and any missiles trying to lock on them lose any lock-progress they had (aka re-starts missile lock sequence).
* Enhanced performance if Beagle Active Probe is equipped.


---- This change to ECM makes the module be more hands-on and directed in its effects rather than a 'flip on and forget' type module.

2. LRM Missile Guidance

LRMs should have two guidance modes. Radar Guidance and Laser Guidance. To switch between the two, the player just needs to use the same keys that open/close the missile bay doors (the opening and closing of the doors should be removed..its useless really).

Radar Guidance:
- Works the same way LRMs function now.
*Enhanced functionality when BAP equipped... just as it does now.
*Enhanced functionality when NARC active. Just as it does now.
*Enhanced functionality when ARTEMIS upgrade is equipped. Just as it does now.

Laser Guidance:
- Does not require missile lock. When in this mode there is no missile lock feature.
- Requires target to be locked and have a TAG active on it. If target loses TAG effect it ceases homing until the TAG is re-established (and player needs to keep target locked too).
- Does not issue a Missile Warning message to target mech.
- Missiles fired in this mode do not receive TAG/NARC/ARTEMIS bonuses (missile spread narrowing).
*Enhanced Functionality when NARC is on target = Functions like perma-TAG while NARC is active.

--- This change allows LRMs to be used in a more tactical manner.

3. AMS

AMS system should have the following changes:

- Missile Warning is only available if mech has AMS equipped.
- AMS requires LOS to fire on missiles.
* Enhanced Performance if BAP is equipped
* Enhanced Performance if Command Module is equipped.

---- This makes AMS be truly useful as defense vs LRMs. It makes sense to have AMS be the module that enables missile warning.

Cross-Module Functionality:

This will list the effects that modules will have when working in conjunction with other modules,weapons and upgrades:

TAG Module:

+ ECM in ECM mode = Jamming
+ LRM in Laser Guidance Mode = TAG is required to achieve laser-guidance mode lock.
+ LRM in Radar Guidance Mode = Current effect (tighter missile spread, faster lock time).
+ Ballistic Weapon (PPC and Gauss included) = TAG becomes the rangefinder & weapons use the range of the TAG to set convergence, not the aimpoint itself.


NARC Module:

+ ECM in ECM mode = While NARC module is active, whether in LOS or not, the ECM will transmit a 'virus' through the NARC beacon into the enemy mech. This virus does the following: Delays target info gathering, randomly increases or decreases that mech's weapon convergence range, restarts missile lock sequence at random, causes screen static (just a little) and delivers sensor info (location, target info) of one of his lancemates to the NARC user.

+ LRM on Laser Guidance Mode = NARC beacons (LRM user does not need to have the NARC equipped) act like TAG markers only if the LRM user has LOS.

Beagle Active Probe:

+ ECM on ECCM Mode = Increases pulse range to 400m
+ AMS = Increases AMS range by 100m

Command Module:

+ BAP: Triangulates the origin of any TAG or Missile Lock on friendly mechs 200m radius and displays it on the minimap in a similar way that Seismic Sensor does. Data is available to team-mates in BattleGrid view (not minimap).
+ AMS: Increases AMS effectiveness (Rate of fire or missiles shot down per burst..whatever works).

[Stingray Productions]

Skyfaller, on 02 January 2014 - 09:53 AM, said:

(the opening and closing of the doors should be removed..its useless really).

so far perhaps, but they're supposed to be that they have much more armor when closed, so if you're running and want to protect them, you close them, then open to fire again and bear the risk of them being much more vulnerable.

interesting thoughts on the laser guidance for missles. I wonder, I know in real live that laser guidance missiles home STRAIGHT to their targets. ... might be interesting that if you use laser, missles fly faster and don't arc but fly straight towards their targets (but lasers are harder to maintain locks with.)

[Skyfaller]

Stingray1234, on 02 January 2014 - 02:55 PM, said:

so far perhaps, but they're supposed to be that they have much more armor when closed, so if you're running and want to protect them, you close them, then open to fire again and bear the risk of them being much more vulnerable.

Without opening them manually you still have full armor when they open automatically to fire. When you open them manually you merely 'gain' the 0.2 seconds delay it takes between the click and the missiles running out of the tubes. Overall, useless imo.

Stingray1234, on 02 January 2014 - 02:55 PM, said:

interesting thoughts on the laser guidance for missles. I wonder, I know in real live that laser guidance missiles home STRAIGHT to their targets. ... might be interesting that if you use laser, missles fly faster and don't arc but fly straight towards their targets (but lasers are harder to maintain locks with.)

That's a nice idea too...not flat out SRM-like flight path but a less altitude gaining missile barrage would be good. However I think that would entail too much additional work and maybe not be possible since flight path seems to be hard coded to ammo/weapon type.

[Skyfaller]

bump

[Morsule]

I like some of this but some of it seems overly complex - perhaps it needs to be.

The Virus: Counter ECM + Nark missile combo I an interesting idea.

Great idea on AMS all around.

Command Module - not really sure what that is actually supposed to be.

Unsure on Tag suggestions. Would make sense if it could apply to SRM's and not just streaks and LRMs. Concentrated fire effect. The impact on ballistics and lasers - not so much unless we are assuming smart ammunition for ballistics - which by this time would make sense.

Cheers