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[gjnii]

To start with I want to state that my observations are based off cicada and atlas uses.
Specifically:
Cicada 3M
Atlas D-DC
vs
Cicada 2A
Atlas R
Atlas D(F)
I do also use cataphracts but they are not fully talented and no ecm variant is available so its harder to tell with them.

Overall I found I make 300k or more per hour on average when using ECM equipped mech's than using non ECM mechs. Some of this is due to additional wins (and salvage), but that does not explain it by itself. I will be excluding Wins and Salvage entirely, because while I personally rack up more wins, it may be that I'm an exceptional ECM pilot, and other players would have similar win ratio's with both ecm and non ecm variants.

So I spent some time thinking about what was causing this and here are the reasons I've come up with.

1) Increased survivability.
In general, it is easier to disengage from fights with ecm than without it. It is also takes longer to kill an ECM mech, as players recieve delayed information on any existing damage you have, and have to spend additional time closing to engage at close range. This has mixed economic results, on one hand additional longevity means additional opportunities for kills and assists captures and damage dealing. On the other hand you are more likely to sustain more comprehensive damage before death, meaning a higher repair bill. It seems to be a net gain overall. ECM is a defensive system, so no surprise that I live a little longer with it equipped.

2) Reduced LRM exposure.
There are few things more costly than being annihilated by non-artemis LRM's. Typically nearly every component and body section is heavily damaged before death, resulting in VERY high repair bills. Having ECM drastically reduces LRM exposure. This seemed to matter more for my atlas variant.

3) Additional SSRM usage.
Ignoring any possible balance issues with this weapons, streaks are exceptionally good at scoring killing blows. The most common method of death for a mech is fatal torso damage. The most common point of impact for streaks... the torso. a kill is worth 4k more than than an equivalent damage assist.

4) More frequent capture bonus.
ECM increases the chances of reaching a capture point undamaged or undetected in the event of a rush, and reduces the chances of sustaining "spite" damage from enemy fire prior to completing an inevitable capture. This is synergistic with point 1, as you are also more likely to be alive, and more likely to be able to disengage to assist in a capture, than a non-ECM equipped mech.

Lately Point 1 and consequently Point 4 have diminished because some players believe that ECM are disproportionately dangerous, and make them higher priority targets. Other threads discuss whether ECM is in fact more dangerous and a more important target. But match behavior still matters on an economic side, even ignoring balance.

Even excluding additional wins and salvage or in game performance, an ECM pays for itself in an evening of play due to the extra profit, and for a light chassis within a week as near as I can tell. If the additional wins are due to ECM and not my personal skill, its even faster than that.

It's also interesting to note that no founder or hero mechs can mount ECM, so the economic bonuses may be intended as a way for free-to-play players to earn at a comperable rate without having to invest MC, but limiting their choice in mechs more than a player paying for premium time or an MC mech. Or it could be an incentive in place to try and make sure people continue to use ECM once the novelty wears off.

Its possible I'm missing monetary benefits or liabilities as well. Again this is only meant to cover economic consequences of the item, NOT its combat qualities or balance.