8 replies to this topic

[Havyek]

I've more or less tried to stay away from ECM nerf threads, mostly because I haven't found them to be a game-breaking monstrosity that some on the forums would like people to believe.
However I would like 1 thing to change, and that is their blanket disruption.

I agree that ECM should hide 'Mechs under their blanket from detection until a certain distance (let's say 200m for sake of argument) unless otherwise targeted (friendlies targeting, TAG, NARC).

What I don't like is that ECM can blanket jam enemy 'Mechs simply by standing by them.

IMO I'd like to see the range of ECM increased to maybe 2-300m and the disrupt mode of ECM be a single target disruption that required the 'Mech with ECM to maintain target lock. Once target lock is broken (due to ECM 'Mech running away, LOS etc) then the disruption is also broken. ECM would need to target, and engage disruption once again to continue harassing.

This would also mean that ECCM would still be good to counteract one ECM 'Mech, but that another ECM 'Mech wouldn't be able to shut down the rest of the group, only another 'Mech.

IMO this would make ECM more tactical to use, like picking a Streak cat to jam, but ECM would need to maintain target lock to keep it locked down, or switch to a LRM boat that's bringing the pain on friendlies. It wouldn't simply be a click J and run around.

[Burktross]

Yes

[CancR]

They are game breaking. On mechs that can get 2 missile hard points are dealing the same amount of damage as a ppc shot only streaks never miss and are homing and always hit center torso (either front or rear) and hit even if the target moves behind cover or breaks line of sight.

If you don't think having a upwards to a ppc or a Gauss cannon if you get 3 that never misses and always hit center torso isn't game breaking, then this isn't the game for you.

Streaks are not a thinking man's weapon for a thinking man's shooter. They are just a noob tube for bad players to pretend they are good.

Streaks in the table top in comparison, each missile hit a random location so getting more then 1 missile to hit the same was a huge gamble with a small reward and hardly worth the weight when medium lasers and everything else did much better damage

A nerf to streaks should be as follows:
-Make streaks a hardpoint to it's self, limiting how many streaks a mech can carry.
`Missle spread so most missiles will hit different limbs with only 1 missile doubling up.
TAG double ups more misses, but on different limbs.

This is the only way streaks can be acceptable.

[Havyek]

Have you ever used or seen streaks in the last few weeks?

1) They don't all hit CT. They hit all over the 'Mech. Mostly in the torso area LT/CT/RT but have also seen them hit arms and legs fairly consistently.
2) They sure as hell don't always hit through terrain. The odd one may clip through like LRMs do sometimes, but not consistently.
3) This post was a suggestion about improving ECM and making it more tactical to use, not to complain about SSRMs.

[OskaRus]

I think ecm is op because its practicaly pimped angle ecm equippable on every mech. In MWLL GECM works only on 500m+ on single mech and angel ecm works on 500m+ in 150m radius. With current lagshield ecm ligts are unhittable if they dont make serious piloting mistake.

[MaddMaxx]

The latest Patch added this.

Quote

* ECM will now fully counter only the closest enemy Mech."

I read this to say that if 2 Mechs with counter-able weapons both engage an ECM equipped Mech, only the closest to itself will be countered. Thus, no more Blanket coverage, inside the bubble. Attack any ECM Mech in pairs...

(unless I totally misinterpreted the meaning)

[MoPo]

BDU Havoc, on 24 December 2012 - 07:05 AM, said:

IMO this would make ECM more tactical to use, like picking a Streak cat to jam, but ECM would need to maintain target lock to keep it locked down, or switch to a LRM boat that's bringing the pain on friendlies. It wouldn't simply be a click J and run around.

That's given me the most hilarious mental picture of a Streak Cat being chased by a Raven, like an enthusiastic puppy, without a shot being fired.

[StalaggtIKE]

Why go through the trouble of recreating tech to do something, that another one has already been made to do? Simply have ECM to closer resemble TT rules. ECM was never meant to be an all encompassing anti-everything, thus its light weight and critical slots. In BT lore, it was simply there to remove the advantages provided by electronic warfare devices such as BAP, Artemis, NARC and C3. It's weakness being its small range of 180m. It did not provide any stealth; that is for later tech such as Stealth armor and Null Signature System. All of which are heavier and caused heat, while activated. For ECM I propose the following change:

• Remove the stealth bubble; add stealth armor and null signature!

It will continue to do the following:

• Disable enemy bonuses from BAP, Artemis and NARC to all allies within 180m ECM bubble.
  
• Disable enemy's targeting data, lock-on and location of his allies within 180m ECM bubble.
  
• Distort enemy's minimap causing a low signal within 180m ECM bubble

One of the things that MWO's version of ECM has done is eliminate missile spam, more specifically LRM and SSRM. It has worked as a band-aid. These are issues that should also be addressed. I propose the following changes:

• LRM - no lock-ons without LOS or painted target from NARC/TAG (which will work without los). Of course ECM will continue to remove the target sharing benefits of NARC or TAG within bubble.
  
• SSRM - each tubing must require a lock-on in between each shot/volley. So you can no longer continue with a chained barrage of missiles if target escapes your targeting retical.

Source: Guardian ECM Suite, Stealth Armor, Null Signature

Edited by StalaggtIKE, 02 January 2013 - 09:05 AM.

[EmGooser]

CancR, on 24 December 2012 - 12:35 PM, said:

A nerf to streaks should be as follows:
-Make streaks a hardpoint to it's self, limiting how many streaks a mech can carry.
`Missle spread so most missiles will hit different limbs with only 1 missile doubling up.
TAG double ups more misses, but on different limbs.

This is the only way streaks can be acceptable.

SSRM hard points is a bad idea. A hardpoint is a generic slot not a unique to one weapon shot. Limiting or adding even more hardpoint types will just make the mech design even more complicated. As it is now, it is more complex then the original rules.

Not to mention, what about UAC5, Gauss, MGuns, why would they not get a special hardpoint if this went in? I'm sorry, I just see this as a bad idea.

As for the OP: ECM is just fine the way it is, leave it be.