32 replies to this topic

[Andi Nagasia]

so im sure everybody has been wondering when we will be getting the Flea,
as well as when we will be getting the FLE-20(Striped ECM Type),
as well as when we will be getting the LCT-5W2(Striped ECM Type),
i think we are ready for a 20T ECM Spy Stealth Craft,

i think it would help with the whole shoot and spot for super Lights,
assuming the Striped ECM(only hides equipped mech),
thoughts, comments, concerns,

this has a sister disscussion here,
Edit- spelling

on account of MASC i understand the problems with speed,
but that can be balanced by it only being equippable to Standad engines not XL,

and the LCT-5W2 i know does come out in 3079, but that has a guardian ECM,
one that assists and hides its self and allys, acting as an anti missle bubble,

and what i propose is a lesser Stripped ECM, one that only covers the Mech its equipped to,
this would give the Locust(and Flea, if its ever released), an extra survivability for spotting,

Edited by Andi Nagasia, 21 July 2014 - 02:50 PM.

[Foxfire]

The problem with that is that the weight of ECM on super lights would really limit what they can bring to the field. Not that I disagree with it.. but...

[MonkeyCheese]

I dont know I have caused plenty of damage with a locust with 4 small lasers and a tag countless times. Dual ams and ams ammo is the reason its weaponry is so light. A solo ecm wouldn't be any different to me

Anyway we still dont have any hint of the flea and the ecm locust you speak of is 30 years too early in our timeline.

Edited by MonkeyCheese, 20 July 2014 - 04:49 PM.

[Y E O N N E]

The LCT-3M can fit two AMS and 2 tons of ammo while loading 3 tons in lasers, and I've had some good games with both 3x ML and 5x SL + 0.5T more in AMS ammo. Swapping the extra AMS hardpoint for an ECM hardpoint would not be difficult to manage.

The real failure would be if they do what they did to the Commando 2D and restrict its engine size.

[Deathlike]

I was always confused as to why even the Lolcust didn't get ECM. Damn thing needs major help.

[nehebkau]

I think that the locust should get a *free* LAMS.

[Malleus011]

All the Locust variants need an ECM slot. PGI is just making up which 'mechs have ECM anyway (along with what it does) so they may as well give the Locusts a chance.

[Zervziel]

I'd like the locust to get ECM. My sole goal as a Locust is to graduate from "Thorn in the side" to "major pain in the @ss."

[Tristan Winter]

I think "stick an ECM on it" is a really common and really poor suggestion on how to fix light mechs. Do a lot of people play the Commando because it has ECM? Nope.

Adjust the core values, like turning rate and torso twist. Give them some meaningful quirks, like 30% extra heat sink efficiency or 50% higher SRM firing rate or whatever.You would have to be really heavy-handed to make Locust anything close to over powered. With 360 degree torso twist and 100% extra laser damage, I'm still not sure it would be the best light mech out there.

Edited by Nicolai Kabrinsky, 22 July 2014 - 09:35 AM.

[topgun505]

That is about the ONLY thing you could do to a Locust to redeem it and make it worthwhile (adding ECM). But I'm not losing any sleep over this not happening.

Deathlike, on 21 July 2014 - 01:24 PM, said:

I was always confused as to why even the Lolcust didn't get ECM. Damn thing needs major help.

[Y E O N N E]

Nicolai Kabrinsky, on 22 July 2014 - 09:34 AM, said:

I think "stick an ECM on it" is a really common and really poor suggestion on how to fix light mechs. Do a lot of people play the Commando because it has ECM? Nope.

Adjust the core values, like turning rate and torso twist. Give them some meaningful quirks, like 30% extra heat sink efficiency or 50% higher SRM firing rate or whatever.You would have to be really heavy-handed to make Locust anything close to over powered. With 360 degree torso twist and 100% extra laser damage, I'm still not sure it would be the best light mech out there.

I like this idea, too. I already have fun with the 'Mech, so I am ambivalent toward gaining ECM or other quirks, but this would not be a bad way to go.

Increased turning rate and a small speed bump up to maybe 180 would be about all I am really interested in. As the squishiest 'Mech in the game, it should be able to do something no other 'Mech can, including outrunning the Commando and the comparatively overweight Spider.

Edited by Yeonne Greene, 22 July 2014 - 12:25 PM.

[Trauglodyte]

Deathlike, on 21 July 2014 - 01:24 PM, said:

I was always confused as to why even the Lolcust didn't get ECM. Damn thing needs major help.

Exactly. If any of them deserves it, it is the poor 2 missile, 2 energy model (1M). When all of the other models have 5-6 weapons or 5 weapons and 2 AMS and this thing is stuck with 4 weapons and AMS, you have to wonder why it is missing it. Granted, you'd still not have that much tonnage for things but it is possible to mount 2 LRM5s, TAG, and ECM (or 2 Streaks, 1 Md Laser, TAG, and ECM).

So, what gives?

Nicolai Kabrinsky, on 22 July 2014 - 09:34 AM, said:

I think "stick an ECM on it" is a really common and really poor suggestion on how to fix light mechs. Do a lot of people play the Commando because it has ECM? Nope.

Adjust the core values, like turning rate and torso twist. Give them some meaningful quirks, like 30% extra heat sink efficiency or 50% higher SRM firing rate or whatever.You would have to be really heavy-handed to make Locust anything close to over powered. With 360 degree torso twist and 100% extra laser damage, I'm still not sure it would be the best light mech out there.

To answer your question, the reason people say, "Put ECM on it" is because the Locust is, without a doubt, a HORRIBLE mech without it. There is no valid reason, other than enjoying the thought of playing a Hetzer like mech, to bring it. The Raven and Spider are almost as fast and last longer. It isn't like the Locust has 8 weapons hard points to make it a really light, really fast gun boat. Hell, the best that you can do is 6 Md Lasers and an AMS but, again, it doesn't really matter if you can't vent the heat (lacks the tonnage or space for more than 10 DHSs) and/or can't survive long enough to pump out the damage. I've had 600+ damage games in a Locust before and it was simply because the people that I was playing were so bad that they didn't think to pop the lil gnat buzzing past. Hell, the Locust is, thanks to TT, the ONLY mech in the game to not adhere to the Side Torso armor = Leg armor. So, it is running around with 6 less armor per leg than it should while still not providing anything. A Commando, at 5 tons heavier, is way better and it has the possibility of bringing ECM. Heck, for that matter, the horribad Mando hero, The Death's Knell, is better than the Locust.

Edited by Trauglodyte, 22 July 2014 - 12:53 PM.

[Vandul]

How about simply removing the 10 minimum heat sink rule to free up some tonnage. Bingo! Super Effective.

[Trauglodyte]

Vandul, on 22 July 2014 - 12:55 PM, said:

How about simply removing the 10 minimum heat sink rule to free up some tonnage. Bingo! Super Effective.

Won't ever happen due to PGI trying to stick to as much as the hard line rules from TT.

[Wolfways]

ECM is way too big a deal for 1.5 tons. It needs fixed.

[Y E O N N E]

You would also be running insanely hot with less than 10 DHS on any Locust except maybe the LCT-1V. It already takes an eternity for the LCT-1E to cool down with the minimum 10 on Terra Therma, so what would happen with only 7? You would get at best three alphas in with a full complement Small Pulse and then spend the next 60 seconds running around venting heat. That's not even usable for slash-n-dash.

I think the reason that people want ECM on the Locust is because the Locust was supposed to be an excellent scout 'Mech in the lore and, in this game you need, ECM to excel at recon. I mean, I do recon in mine all the time but I light up like a flare if I cross any single enemy's peripheral vision. That's not good for scouting. Instead, the Locust in MWO is better suited to being a brawler support machine. It's a very odd position to be in for something so light and it takes a great deal of effort to do well in that capacity (which is why I enjoy it).

The Locust is not even the fastest 'Mech in the game. This is actually a problem, because speed is literally the only thing going for it right now.

[Sandpit]

Trauglodyte, on 22 July 2014 - 01:13 PM, said:

Won't ever happen due to PGI trying to stick to as much as the hard line rules from TT.

many would disagree with that one lol

[Malleus011]

I'd be happy with other tweaks to the Locust. The reason I suggest ECM is twofold - without ECM, it's nearly suicidal to scout, which is really all your Locust is good for (getting one-shotted at 1K when peeking over a ridge makes scouting less fun than you might think) and so a Locust might have some actual use in a fight - providing ECM cover to friendly 'mechs.

Granted, every ECM light can *still* do these jobs better than a Locust, but at least they wouldn't suck so badly.

I'm not really sure what tweaks would help. They can't handle the heat of faster firing for the most part. Torso twist or turn radius can only help so much when well armed mediums can one-shot you.

[Khobai]

The Locust doesnt have the weight for ECM.

Unless the 10 heatsink minimum is changed so those heatsinks are either free or no longer required.

[Y E O N N E]

It easily has the weight for ECM.

The LCT-3M can carry 5 Small Laser at 0.5 tons each, two AMS at 0.5 tons each, and then 2.5 tons of ammo for those two. Let's say the LCT-3M gets ECM. You can still run that same loadout, but trade 1.5 tons of ammo (leaving one ton) for a 1.5 ton ECM.

All this is with the XL190 and only 10 points of armor shaved off of its incredibly tiny head. Use EndoSteel only, and ditch the Ferro-Fibrous.

As long as they don't restrict engine size and only give it two weapon hardpoints, an ECM Locust would be a pretty good 'Mech.