2 replies to this topic

[Sigmar Sich]

Many times same or similar suggestions were made. But it seems people gave up on the subject. So, another try.

Why current ECM vs LRM balance is not good? Because it works by "feast or famine" scheme. All or nothing - team with ECM screws team with LRMs; team with LRMs screws team without ECMs. (generally speaking).

I believe softer balance between this tech would be better. Here are the suggested changes:

1) ECM no longer denies lock. Instead it increases lockon times. (something like targeting ECM mech under UAV spot now). ECM still denies targeting info. ECM still disables Artemis, NARC and some other bonuses. ECM could decrease targeting range.
Lockon time increase and targeting range reduction are subject to change as balance demands.

2) LRM lockon time for indirect fire increased. Missile maneuverability could be decreased, making dodge more possible, and missile trajectory could be lowered, to make cover more viable, and to decrease missile travel time (if not, reduce missile speed to preserve same travel time as now).
Lockon time increase for indirect fire, missile turning speed and flight trajectory are subject to change.


In result, ECM less punishable against LRMs, but still a protection. On other hand, LRMs are harder to use for indirect fire, especially against ECM-covered targets (multiple lockon time increase).

[Guile Votoms]

There's an easy solution for that; Use a tag.
Or even better; have a dedicated spotter/tagger/narcer.
If you narc an ECM carrier then you disable the effect for everyone in range.

The last thing LRMs need are more reasons to piggyback on the rest of the team.

Besides, ECM users make good targets in the first place since they often don't have radar deprivation and are so used to not getting targeted by LRMs that they tend to panic when it actually happens.

Edited by Guile Votoms, 23 January 2017 - 10:56 AM.

[SockSlayer]

I won't vote on the issue, and will say this:

ECM has already been nerfed in several ways overtime:

1. 180 M cover range is now only 90 M.
2. PPCs now have the ability to cancel ECM upon hitting for a certain time.

If those with ECM could be seen just like those without, LRMs would be able to get locks, but they would have to increase the lockon time even more so that ecm actually does something. But it would no longer help in element of surprise, as laser and ballistic types would be able to know you are there much quicker.