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All mechs should have sensor signatures. Your sensor signature should be a percentage value which modifies the range that enemy sensors can detect you. So it would start at 100% and depending on various factors such as overheating, throttle setting, firing weapons, equipment, etc... that signature percentage would go up or down.
Some examples:
-A mech that isnt overheating, is at a dead stop, and isnt firing weapons would have a sensor signature of 100% (let's say the new standard detection range is 500m so 500m x 100% = youd be detected at 500m).
-A mech that's overheating, moving full throttle, and firing all its weapons might have a sensor signature of like 200%, which means it can be detected at twice the range of the previous mech (so if the standard detection range is 500m, you would get detected at 500m x 200% = 1000m instead)
-A mech that's shut down might only have a sensor signature of 25% (500m x 25% = 125m).
ECM
Ok so how do ECM/BAP/TAG/NARC fit into all this? Well basically they would just modify either your sensor signature or sensor detection range.
ECM would essentially work the same as it does now but instead of reducing your detection range to 200m it would simply lower your sensor signature instead by say 50%. ECM would also not prevent missile locks anymore but missile lock time would be directly influenced by your sensor signature.
BAP
BAP would also work the same but with a few buffs to make it more like tabletop. BAP would increase sensor range by 25%, give you faster detailed targeting info, and make it easier to detect shutdown mechs. Additionally, BAP should be buffed to give you 360 degree targeting and the ability to see through buildings/terrain at certain distance, say ~200m (this is a capability BAP has in tabletop but is lacking in MWO). Although ECM would still shutdown BAP if the BAP was inside the ECM's disrupt range.
Lastly, BAP, like ECM should be confined to only certain mechs. And the only mech capable of equippment both should be the Raven-3L.
TAG/NARC
Tag/Narc would increase the sensor signature of whatever theyre lazing/attached to by say 50%. So these systems would be important for lighting up mechs.
Missile Locks
Missile lock-time, missile tracking, and missile-lock degradation would be based on your sensor signature. The stronger the signal your mech is giving off the faster missiles should lock onto you and the better they should track. So for example, a mech with 200% sensor signature would get locked onto twice as fast as a mech with 100% sensor signature and the lock-on would be retained twice as long if the reticle is moved off the target. This has the effect of making missiles a bit more skillful to use since you would have to light up enemy mechs to get effective missile locks.
Detection
There should be an indicator light for when enemy mechs have you detected and/or targetted. That way you know when you're in and out of LoS of an enemy mech.
Edited by Khobai, 08 December 2012 - 08:23 AM.
