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[KidGloves]

Hi devs and everyone,

I recall reading the notes about ECM and problems with it potentially making LRMs completely useless. While in the current climate some people might like that, I instead want to suggest some ideas to make ECM less binary and more fun to use.

So some ideas. These aren't necessarily to all be used, it's just to get thinking of different options.

Targeted ECM:
The highlighted target of the ECM-using mech suffers from an inability to indirect-lock on targets, or for others to indirect-lock on their target. This doesn't require aiming, it simply engages on the targeted mech after a short duration. The targeted mech gets no obvious indicators - invalid lock targets are simply not displayed as if they weren't being spotted. Great on their missile boats or their spotters, but the limit of only one mech being affected forces the ECM pilot to choose how to use it.

Blanket Offensive ECM:
Enemy mechs near the ECM-equipped mech suffer longer lock acquisition times, wider missile spreads, etc. Streaks and Artemis fail to work, making the launchers into regular SRM/LRM launchers. This requires the ECM-equipped mech to stand near the enemy.

Blanket Defensive ECM:
Similar to what we have, any missiles aimed at shielded targets have their grouping forced wider. It doesn't stop people locking on, and no warning is provided to the firer that ECM is active - aside from potentially watching their missiles scatter.

Lock-Stutter:
Anyone indirect-targeting a mech protected by ECM will get a lock stutter every few seconds - as if the spotter lost sight of the target.

Force shorter lockon range:
Locking on to a mech protected by ECM requires being within 500m of the target mech. Great for letting scouts close or helping them protect other mechs.


If anyone else has ideas for making ECM a bit different/interesting, please share them!