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What i propose is removing the signature blocking ability of ECM. And simply give all mechs the ability to switch to passive sensors, like in previous Mech games.
Passive sensors would essentially reduce your sensor signature, making you harder to detect at range, which is what ECM is doing now. But it would also reduce your own sensors, limiting your own ability to detect enemies.
And using any missile weapon that requires a lock on, would require you to switch to active sensors. Also revealing your position, assuming the enemy has active sensors on too.
Beagle Active Probe could get added usefulness here, by having a improved range to detect mechs with passive sensors.
Also targets in passive mode, would take longer to gain a missile lock on.
This would eliminate the whole question most people ask in every PUG... do we have an ECM in group.... And it would allow non-ECM groups an useful counter to LRM boats.
LRM boats would still be useful, thanks to TAG. And may actually add more use out of NARC, with less people using and relying on ECM.
EDIT: Just thought of a possible exploit, on how passive could be used on LRMs, in that someone would simply have to switch to passive, every time missiles headed for em. To avoid getting hit.
A workaround to that, would be to add a time delay to how long it would take for passive sensors signature hiding effect, to work. Like 10s. So a LRM unit, would still have enough time to remain lock on his target, before he would disappear from sensors. But, if target is tagged, then switching to passive, wouldn't have any effect anyways.
Edited by ParasiteX, 10 January 2013 - 10:34 AM.
