2028 replies to this topic

[Tuku]

I say fix netcode and do that TAG range out to 700 first then balance ECM accordingly. This isn't one of those netcode has sucked for so long rants I promise...


I think that when direct fire weapons can reliably hit Lights the ECM problem will be lessened....because yes Ravens with ECM can be a problem but if I could hit them with large lasers and they lose an arm or a leg instantly they would not be so much.

Also the Tag being given a much longer range will go a long way to help ECM problems.....Bring LRM support and tag the D-DC in the middle of the group then they can rain down hell on him untill the brawlers/strikers get up close enough to finish him. Added benifit is no wasted missiles.....If everyone is huddling around an ECM boat and the ECM boat gets tagged then the missiles that miss will probly splash onto other enemies who happen to be close by.

Take care of the other stuff first then see how much it needs tweaking.

Edited by Tuku, 05 December 2012 - 09:39 PM.

[Grym]

Stabbitha, on 05 December 2012 - 09:37 PM, said:

The difference was team coordination and combined tactics. Our commando and cat lead, the two D-DC's follow (with me about 100 back from the direct fire and when targets present, we destroy them.

I actually remember being smashed by you guys. Very good team work. Was very impressed, first time i saw coordination like that.

[HighGround]

Verminaard, on 04 December 2012 - 12:26 PM, said:

I love ECM! no more seeing enemies wherever they are, tactics are valid again. You can actually catch people by surprise for once!

This is a great step forwards, and in itself a nerf to streaks. Helps balance greatly IMO.

Agreed

[Enrage]

When are other mechs getting ECM capabilities? I want the ability to counteract it ECM. But NOT PAY FOR A NEW MECH.

I understand the commodity system you have created, and im ok with it. But anytime you bring out a new system, please do not make it so that those with cash instantly get OP status.

[Mashel]

to put it in nutshell: with ecm u win, without u lose! this aren't new strategy/tactics, that is metagaming....nothing that i remember from BT and that is awful

[Acid Phreak]

is not metagaming per definition.

[Redmond Spiderhammer]

perhaps the effects need to be broken up into groups a bit more. Instead of just counter or disrupt maybe split the current Counter measure features into different groups. So maybe if you want to block weapon systems you will not be disrupting enemy sensors as well.
Also.. if you can see an ECM equipped unit you should be able to actively(point and click) target it to light it up on the map for your team, even if you cant get target info on it(chassis and variant only). Unless your communications are being jammed as well, your onboard systems should be able to place the unit on a grid, visually identify the mech, and share that info with your unit.

[NKAc Street]

I have a question,

Can the ecm be knocked out by firing upon a mech that has it, or does the mech have to be destroyed entirely?

[Alex Gorsky]

ECM is good, but OP now
And it because time of its work isn't limited
It is necessary to add function "inclusions ecm", operating time (X sec) and cool down(X sec)

Edited by Alex Gorsky, 05 December 2012 - 10:54 PM.

[Acid Phreak]

i think if you crit the ECM module it will blow up but there is a rare chance to crit somethings like this, before the entire Mech are down.

[NKAc Street]

From my perspective, the random drop aspect of the game was never meant to be each man for himself. Even without voice chat, you can generally hang out with the group and type simple chat that is helpful. Yiou do not need to have long precise instructions. Just tonight the tide of a game was changed by spotting a cloaked group flanking.

I just typed "flanking from cave" and they was lured and they split, divide and conquer. Type 2 in G3, "4 in cave" etc. I am horrible at typing in game and I can spit out a few simple things.
Another game was a full on cave fight on the day snow level, two cloaked groups, were both surprised in the cave and even though we lost, it was the best fight all week, fun as hell.


With that said, the random drop games are mostly suffering due to match making not being finished yet and the ECM has nothing to do with the current problem.

Most lopsided games tonight were dropping and one or the other team dropped with no ecm mechs. You are always going to get matches from time to time where the other team is just loaded with precision shooters, Not much you can do about that, but take it and have fun dude.

[Ozzy Stormlight]

love the ECM... great add guys.... however i think that BAP should be able to have some effect on detection.... at least the mechs benifited by nearby ECM.

thnks guys keep up the great work

Edited by Stormlight, 05 December 2012 - 10:37 PM.

[Dax Paxton]

My only thought on ECM is that the Atlas should not be able to use it. Giving something of that size ECM makes them nearly impossible to take down 1 v 1 or even 1 v 2 or 3. ECM should be restricted to medium or smaller chassis and I like having only select models able to carry it. In this way, LRMs and Streaks still have a chance because the smaller mechs can be removed from the fight easier with accurate fire.

As far as the function of ECM goes, as a Raven pilot, I love the dynamic.

[Alilua]

I like the ecm, it really forces more teamwork, but I think it does limit the missile heavy builds a little too much. Overall the only change I would make is to add a small amount of heat generation or a moderate penalty to heat dissipation when ecm is running and decrease the size of the passive bubble of protection. I think this would force ecm mechs to avoid brawling packs, while taking a more supporting role. Might even secretly make flamers more effective.

Also might be looked into to give it the same treatment as the gauss rifle with being fragile and able to be taken out easier.

ECM is good, however it is slightly too effective in what it does, making teams too dependent on them.

[DerelictTomcat]

Dax Paxton, on 05 December 2012 - 10:33 PM, said:

My only thought on ECM is that the Atlas should not be able to use it. Giving something of that size ECM makes them nearly impossible to take down 1 v 1 or even 1 v 2 or 3. ECM should be restricted to medium or smaller chassis and I like having only select models able to carry it. In this way, LRMs and Streaks still have a chance because the smaller mechs can be removed from the fight easier with accurate fire.

As far as the function of ECM goes, as a Raven pilot, I love the dynamic.

A Raven should not take down an Atlas 1 v 1.

[Dax Paxton]

DerelictTomcat, on 05 December 2012 - 10:40 PM, said:

A Raven should not take down an Atlas 1 v 1.

I also pilot a couple of Awesome variants and several Pult variants. Your statement is valid but irrelevant.

[Morikuro]

Tesunie, on 05 December 2012 - 09:17 PM, said:

ECM is just Electronic counter messures. It doesn't spit out radiation, but rather counter signals or just generalized static over most sensor frequencies. It's be like finding the police band, and then playing loud music on it so they can't hear each other. But yet, your own com frequencies are untouched, as you don't play your disruption onto your coms.

I don't know what you though EMC was, but it's not a microwave, nor fusion reactor waste...

It is radiating signals, that's what all expressions of emissions across the electromagnetic spectrum are. Some are in the visual wavelength that we can see, others are infrared, the infamous gamma/beta/alpha radiation, etc. Because it's radiating signals it can make itself a target for sufficiently advanced ECCM, and that's something that ECM can encounter in real life already. Also, if it was jamming one band, then the opposing team could just hop to another and keep jumping frequencies as much as required. If it's barrage jamming all of the bands, then why isn't the other team affected? A really heavy, wide-band jamming environment would degrade everyone's sensors to some degree.

As for it being dangerous to unshielded people, that's just a matter of the emitter's power. Sonic weapons/lasers/etc are just weaponized emitters that have strong enough emissions that they do damage. Radar can certainly be dangerous, military radars can operate in high kilowatt ranges and has all kinds of rules on how you operate it, think of what battletech sensors could be engineered to do with the power of a fusion reactor (at least double digit megawatt power generation) behind them.

[JessDav]

ECM. It's overpowered. Beagle doesn't work. Artimis is now a useless expensive POS that costs to much to de-equip for casual players such as myself. Add in the other changes and My entire bay is pretty much useless mechs not worth launching. I do Boats mostlywith artimis and without. All the boats are LRM users mostly. The few SRM user I set with streaks.
I would hope someone figures out limiting which mechs can field ECM also makes founders useless as NONE of them can field ECM pods. So PGI, you hate use money spenders that much.
Also, for the weight and crits needed to equip. With such a powerful tool kinda not balanced with the fact that ECM makes TAG + Narc (which still doesn't work as advertised) + all lock on missles = useless.
I would think items like beagle or artimis combined with narc or TAG would somewhat over come ECM. Guess adding in overpowering items is how they wanna do things. If this keeps up a asual player like myself with become useless as I cannot afford to unbuy all the endo. artimis, and other items I will need to remove in order to re-equip AC20s. multiple lasers with HS and such. And, my hunchies are ok; but, now most times the other side si running ECM atties with several other assault and heavey. Plus, a few lights.
I have also noticed ECM helps the snipers. Thrice my cockpit armor goes red from peeking over edges. Just saying, I'm not that good a shot to snipe. My hand is not steady enough for light mech straffings. LRMs and SSRMs are the better weapons for me. Now mostly useless. So thanx. I am NOT having fun PGI.

[James Pryde]

I'm just mad it's not available on all Raven's Seriously the mech was designed as an EW platform but hey can't have everything i guess.

[Greyson Kitiker]

ECM I think is good for team games . I like that its forced mechs to carry different weapons and to do different tactics and even pushes for more teamwork. One complaint I do have is you got 1 assault 1 med and 2 lights how about having one of the dragon varients have the ecm slot just so theres one in ea weight class.


on a side note of the effect of ECM on true pugs verse a pug or premade with a ecm is this :
Sadly It totaly screws over any pugs made up with a large number of actually trail mechs with pilots still learning the game. They enter the game to fight and there side doesn't have ECM so they don't see the enemy mechs can't understand why they can't lock onto them and can't even really fire blind at the enemy mechs that are right under there crosshairs do to some really bad weapon converge code.