33 replies to this topic

[Death Mallet]

I mainly run heavy mechs. I like to start out sniping, then close in to brawl.

I was wondering if a BAP might help with my sniping phase. What have people's experiences with it been?

[superteds]

pretty good unless they're moving in an ecm bubble. combine it with the lock module.

[Taryys]

Good advice. I use it for my LRM boat with the Sensor Module.
Good times.

[shintakie]

BAP is quite useful. However its usefulness is entirely dependent on whether another piece of equipment isn't fielded. Launch into a game without ECM mechs everywhere? Excellent. Launch into a game with ECM mechs? You have 1.5 wasted tons on your mech.

[smokefield]

exactly. and since in almost all games you will have ecm...kinda useless now.

[shintakie]

smokefield, on 27 December 2012 - 01:39 PM, said:

exactly. and since in almost all games you will have ecm...kinda useless now.

I actually got a match last night where these wasn't a single ECM mech on the opposin team and only 1 ECM Raven on my team. I about cried.

[xxx WreckinBallRaj xxx]

Death Mallet, on 27 December 2012 - 12:59 PM, said:

I mainly run heavy mechs. I like to start out sniping, then close in to brawl.

I was wondering if a BAP might help with my sniping phase. What have people's experiences with it been?

It's trash. Until they buff it to make it actually do something vs ECM, there's no reason to waste your weight on it. Fyi as a sniper you can thermal spot enemies anyway. +Sensor Range is mainly for missile locks, since they're dependent entirely on radar targeting to function. Sniping doesn't need that a all, if you can see them, and have proper range, you can shoot them, radar or not. If you don't even have missile locks, then it makes even less sense to drop weight on this thing. Use that last 1.5 for something else. You could upgrade engine, add armor, add a ton of ammo, slot an AMS, or add another heat sink; don't drop it on a device that does nothing to help you.

shintakie, on 27 December 2012 - 05:22 PM, said:

I actually got a match last night where these wasn't a single ECM mech on the opposin team and only 1 ECM Raven on my team. I about cried.

Lucky. I don't think I've seen a single match since ECM patch where the enemy didn't have at least 1. They usually have 2(most common), and sometimes more than that. D DC Atlases have also become common as well since the removal of RnR and the cash bounty that can almost fully pay for a 10M purchase. With Assaults being more profitable than before, more people are playing them, and the bounty basically handed you a D DC for free.

[BerryChunks]

Bluten, on 27 December 2012 - 05:34 PM, said:

It's trash. Until they buff it to make it actually do something vs ECM, there's no reason to waste your weight on it. Fyi as a sniper you can thermal spot enemies anyway. +Sensor Range is mainly for missile locks, since they're dependent entirely on radar targeting to function. Sniping doesn't need that a all, if you can see them, and have proper range, you can shoot them, radar or not. If you don't even have missile locks, then it makes even less sense to drop weight on this thing. Use that last 1.5 for something else. You could upgrade engine, add armor, add a ton of ammo, slot an AMS, or add another heat sink; don't drop it on a device that does nothing to help you.



Lucky. I don't think I've seen a single match since ECM patch where the enemy didn't have at least 1. They usually have 2(most common), and sometimes more than that. D DC Atlases have also become common as well since the removal of RnR and the cash bounty that can almost fully pay for a 10M purchase. With Assaults being more profitable than before, more people are playing them, and the bounty basically handed you a D DC for free.

Or a scout mech uses BAP to get target locks For missile boats. Either way.

[DocBach]

If ECM worked how it should you should still be able to target enemy 'Mechs, just not gain information on them as quickly. Beagle should let you know that you are being jammed sort of how sensors do now. We shouldn't know we're in the bubble without Beagle, Beagle should serve two purposes; one, provides a means to target shut down 'Mechs, and two, provides us early warning that we've wandered into an ECM bubble.

[xxx WreckinBallRaj xxx]

Well said Doc but they aren't even going to consider doing that. I call the ECM the jesus box now. Stand near me, my children, and thee shall avoid missile locks. I will protect you with my divine power. As I walk in the valley of barrages, I fear no locks. Yay is me, the jesus box.

Edited by Bluten, 27 December 2012 - 06:27 PM.

[Glythe]

BAP is completely countered by ECM. As such right now it is utterly useless unless you run a SSRM boat (because otherwise an enemy can just power down and you can't shoot them).

[xxx WreckinBallRaj xxx]

Glythe, on 27 December 2012 - 07:15 PM, said:

BAP is completely countered by ECM. As such right now it is utterly useless unless you run a SSRM boat (because otherwise an enemy can just power down and you can't shoot them).

That's why you carry a few other guns. A C4 for example can go 4Str2ML, then you can just keep shooting them while they do nothing at all. But yes, vs ECM, it's totally useless(and thus not worth carrying anymore). Surprisingly though, the sensor module actually works vs ECM. They are both +15%, but this one actually works. You'll be able to detect and lock at 230 instead of 200, which helps Streaks a lot. Not worth 5kgxp, but if you got it prior to ECM patch like I did, you may as well keep using it. But don't let Piranha find out. Then they'll gut it too. Keep it between us. *shhh*

[panzereich]

In terms of balance, I have no problem equipping beagle probe on my scout. I get LRM locks for my team and then get
rewarded with spot bonuses. You have to remember this is a team style game, I PUG, but my method of play is usually scout and tag with beagle, then return to group to provide ecm cover if they have none. I run a cicada 3m as a scout/ecm which I find fun, because not many people field cicadas.

Playing against other Australian's is when this game really shines. As soon as America wakes up, the game becomes full of ECM Ravens and CHEESE builds. Not to mention team killing, exploiting and cheating. Typically its an age thing. Your balls drop and you want a challenge. Before then I guess its safe to always choose the most OP build with extra cheese. That's why I always laugh when I see an Ecm Raven Pugging it. I imagine the pilot has to deal with the smell of ripe dirty nappies in an overheated cockpit.

[TB Freelancer]

Bluten, on 27 December 2012 - 06:27 PM, said:

Well said Doc but they aren't even going to consider doing that. I call the ECM the jesus box now. Stand near me, my children, and thee shall avoid missile locks. I will protect you with my divine power. As I walk in the valley of barrages, I fear no locks. Yay is me, the jesus box.

Man that actually had me laughing out loud +1 man.

[xxx WreckinBallRaj xxx]

TB Freelancer, on 27 December 2012 - 07:34 PM, said:

Man that actually had me laughing out loud +1 man.

The power of jesus box compels you, foul LRM Carrier! Begone from these holy grounds!

Edited by Bluten, 27 December 2012 - 07:46 PM.

[Harrels Badgerton]

I agree that BAP should keep the range boost, target powered down mechs, AND allow targeting of ECM mechs, even if it's all mechs under the umbrella EXCEPT the EMC mech. At the very least let them show up on the minimap with BAP.
If you allowed BAP to target any and all mechs at extended range you could limit it to certain variants too - If they already had ECM they would have to use up 3 tons for both to be the end all electronics mech. Or have BAP work only when ECM is in Counter mode (if they are both installed), kind of a super probe?

I think it makes a good addition to the game, just needs a little tweaking! And BAP needs some love, it just seems like a cheap, crappy module at the moment.

Edited by Harrels Badgerton, 27 December 2012 - 07:48 PM.

[Soy]

Call me crazy, but my favorite build since the pre holiday patch is a 9M using a head TAG, a BAP, sensor range/target info/360 retention modules and an assortment of goodies.

I can get a lock on anything basically.

[Arkmaus]

shintakie, on 27 December 2012 - 05:22 PM, said:

I actually got a match last night where these wasn't a single ECM mech on the opposin team and only 1 ECM Raven on my team. I about cried.

I read your post and about cried.

[Pr8Dator]

I tried running my LRM boat with and without BAP and I can tell you this... you hardly feel the difference. Might as well load up more ammo. Tag is definitely useful now though due to the extended range.

Edited by Pr8Dator, 27 December 2012 - 07:52 PM.

[Barkem Squirrel]

With BAP you do have a better range of detection, but with ECM that is a moot point. The other issue is if the ECM is countered. That is where I see BAP helping. I normally run an BAP/ECM Raven so I have seen a pattern on the drops I have been in. Less people are running with ECM. Sure you will have the times with three or more with ECM, but I have been the only person on my team with ECM recently. The same is true for the other side may be one. On all the maps there are places to run to hide then switch to counter when you see jamming. Other times I identify the Atlas or other ECM mechs and chose when I can get close enough to hit counter. Then the LRM rain begins, since the Stalker is one of the trial mechs now.

For a sniper, why even bother with BAP. You have thermals and can zoom a little with regular vision.

For a missile boat it is either BAP or TAG.