18 replies to this topic

[Hex Pallett]

So if they turn dumbfire missiles into homing bees, why the hell are people still using SSRM? Also, is NARC affected by ECM?


...is NARC even functioning in the current build??

[knight-of-ni]

The last time I saw any news concerning NARC, it was described as not implemented yet.
I have not seen anything recently that stated otherwise.

[Hex Pallett]

Oh great. Thanks.

Um, any MechWarrior veterans knows if NARC would counter ECM?

[Wrenchfarm]

From what I understand NARC is completely eaten up by ECM, no help whatsoever when stuck on a mech in the bubble. Which just seems crazy to me.

Even before ECM it was rarely used since it is a hard to aim slow projectile that only works for 30 seconds. I think it has rather limited ammo stores as well.

I'd love to see NARC get a buff just to make it viable. Seems like a natural counter to ECM. Also, I didn't know any of this jib-jab about it making SRMs homing-SRMs, is that fo' real?

[Arete]

AFAIK, NARC works as of right now. Not sure if it effects SRMs (don't think so), but LRMs get a greatly increased hit percentage when the target is NARCed. Don't think you can blindfire LRMs towards a NARC and hit.

Think NARC effect is cancelled by ECM (ECM breaks the NARC beacons signal), so no use there. TAG is the the only counter to ECM at the moment, and TAG will probably get buffed ranged soon.

[Hex Pallett]

Well, what I found says that NARC makes dumbfire missiles home. And LRM certainly is not dumbfire.

I just hope TAG becomes toggled on/off.

Edited by Helmstif, 17 December 2012 - 07:38 AM.

[Wrenchfarm]

Helmstif, on 17 December 2012 - 07:34 AM, said:

Well, what I found says that NARC makes dumbfire missiles home. And LRM certainly is not dumbfire.

I just hope TAG becomes toggled on/off.

Just use Vech's auto config. Bind TAG to 6 and let it do its thang.

[Tactickle]

Tag is good.

[Hex Pallett]

Wrenchfarm, on 17 December 2012 - 07:42 AM, said:

Just use Vech's auto config. Bind TAG to 6 and let it do its thang.

Thanks!

(for the record, here's Vechs' post: http://mwomercs.com/...per-easy-to-do/)

[Kiiyor]

Helmstif, on 17 December 2012 - 03:50 PM, said:

Thanks!

(for the record, here's Vechs' post: http://mwomercs.com/...per-easy-to-do/)

OR - you could use the highly technical tag toggle that I use; stacked coins holding down the 6 key. Works surprisingly well!

[KADOW]

Ive used narc quite a bit it is almost useless in a P.U.G because most of the time no one has LRMs but it is dumb fire and once the mech is hit it has a narc icon above it but it doesnt seem to last more than 20 seconds just an estimate. I have targeted mechs away from ecm mechs and the time it lasts seems to be the same. And i think in all the matches ive used it someone may have acually destroyed the mech ive used narc on. This really could use some work just my opinion.

[Elizander]

I think that the Narc projectile speed is a tad too slow.

[Raso]

What ever NARC SHOULD do in TT rules in MWO it should be able to counter ECM. As it is now every mech acts as if it has C3 installed to NARC's usual role of allowing you to locate targets outside of LoS is already useless. The extra damage it lets your 3 or so salvos of missiles deal isn't worth the price of admission IMHO.

MWO has created a new dynamic in how target acquisition and information warfare is implemented compared to TT rules and I feel that the NARC must also evolve to meet the needs and nuances of MWO's gameplay.

[Bagheera]

Elizander, on 17 December 2012 - 08:57 PM, said:

I think that the Narc projectile speed is a tad too slow.

This. NARC really needs to fly faster if it is going to be useful. It also needs a duration change, and not just an increase in time.

To answer the original question - there was a vague comment in some iteration of closed beta patch notes that implied that NARC beacons would influence standard SRM flight. I played with it a little using an A1 with a NARC beacon and 5srm4s. It did seem to have an effect, but I couldn't manage the heat (before DHS/Endo) well enough to do a proper test, so it could just as easily have been psychological.

I do not know if NARC is functioning as intended, but last time I saw it used it was. The main reason no one loads it is the vastly too short duration. Not sure how it interacts with ECM. IIRC in the lore ECM would counter NARC, but ECM in MW:O does stuff that it didn't do in the lore. So, personally, I'm hoping the make NARC into an ECM counter at some point in the near future. Just to make things more interesting.

Edited by Bagheera, 17 December 2012 - 09:29 PM.

[An Individual]

I put it on a Jenner once out of curiosity. The ammo per ton is terrible (don't remember exactly but I'm going to guess at 4 or 5). It's a little bit difficult to hit with and only lasts a number of seconds (10 or 20 maybe). I don't know how much it helps LRM guidance but it had better be a lot for what it does. I removed it immediately.

[AJ Frost]

I run it on my 3L, because I like the idea. It does affect missiles (I'm thinking lock on time), but it's hard to use. It's got a firing delay, is slow moving, and often seems to miss even when I think it should score. It's got 6 shots per ton, and the effect lasts for 15 seconds, which gets buffed to 20 with the next patch. I'll keep it, but I seriously do not think it's currently worth it.

[Rukus Angstrom]

To jump into the conversation...

I have to agree with the posts above. I run with a Raven (3L variant) with NARC, mainly because it was one of my favorite 'mechs in the old board game. The NARC is basically dead-weight, and other 3Ls swap it out with a SSRM2 from what I've seen.

If the devs are listening, please "buff" the NARC system, or at least get rid of the firing lag. The dynamic of MWO calls for a departure from the tabletop version of NARC. For the shots/ton and weight of the unit, there should be incentive for each shot to be golden in its returns when delivered. Perhaps it can also serve as an automatic ECCM (like ECM on "counter" mode).

I've seen a comment in another post to separate the hardpoint from Missle, just like with AMS. Not sure if that is a good idea, but could prove to be another variable to play with the "mixture" of advantages versus limitations.

Thanks.

[Regrets]

Agreed it is currently dead weight. Don't buff too much or 8 man may become unbearable!

[Haalbrecht]

For reference, on the Table Top:

NARC acted much like the Artemis on both SRM and LRM.
NARC is incompatible with the Artemis system. It was one or the other.
The Pod lasted until the section it was attached to was destroyed or removed.
ECM cancelled it out while the target was under the affect or if an ECM field interposed, but was not removed.
Low speed was not a hallmark of the Pod, but range shorter than the LRMs, was, leaving it to spotters to attach for LRM boats to follow up with.

The NARC system, as well as the TAG, Guardian ECM, and Beagle Active Probe, found a popular test bed in the Cappellan's new Raven.