68 replies to this topic

[Chou Senwan]

I suppose it's not really a question of whether ECM is overpowered, but how necessary it is. While I personally find it obnoxious to get my jenner chewed up by streak-ecm ravens, I realize I don't have as much of a problem when I can drop with a team that has its own ECM.

When you're PUGging, that's not always an option, so I'm curious: if every mech could equip ECM, while PUGging how often would you equip it?

Also, say ECM is available on all mechs and you're doing a pre-made. What percentage of mechs would you want on your team that devote 1.5 tons to ECM?

[DarkBazerker]

I like using ecm as much as the next guy/gal, but to be honest, if its going to break my build and the way I fight I rather not have it. With ecm only effecting radar and missle, its not a game breaker but a game changer. More direct fire in game instead of indiret fire.

At the end of the day its nice to have, but not building your whole mech around it.

btw: pinning those pesky ravens to a wall and firing srm6s at point blank will solve that problem.

[Broceratops]

I'd assume that everyone else has it and pack more weapons.

[Tennex]

when would you not? it costs the exact same as BAP but does infinately more. Just by that alone. is a good reason to use it. its crazy value for tonnage/critslot.


ECM balance gap with other items/weapons for the same tonnage is huge.'


AMS? or immunity to all missile weapons and group invisibility?
hmm 1 more sSRM, or immunity to all missile weapons and group invisibility?
increased sensor range? or immunity to all missile weapons and group invisibility
increased 1.5 tons of armor? or group immunity to all missile weapons and group invisibility ?

this is the definition of OP.


the fact that ECM and BAP cost the exact same. and nobody uses BAP. is definition of imbalance. Compare it to AMS even.


1 ton for ammo, and 0.5 ton for AMS. 2 crit slots
why use AMS? is ECM balanced with AMS per tonnage?



for BAP to be balanced with ECM (for people to consider using them both equally), BAP would need to give 360 nonline of sight radar. thats how ridiculous ECM's advantages are.

Edited by Tennex, 25 January 2013 - 10:50 AM.

[KuruptU4Fun]

[PurpleNinja]

If every mech could equip, only trials and people who have no clue about the game will be dropping without it.

[Bguk]

Chou Senwan, on 25 January 2013 - 06:55 AM, said:

I suppose it's not really a question of whether ECM is overpowered, but how necessary it is.

But it is. If 90% plus of all mechs are using one piece of equipment, it usually means it's required/needed, which in turn starts the x = OP "discussion". Which in turn means that lasers in MWO are OP and have to be nerfed. I think I'm ahead of schedule on this one but it's Friday, I'm feeling randy.

[Tie Ma]

ECM is crazy OP.

its sad that it has even taken this long to convince them.

or that they had to be convinced in the first place

Edited by Tie Ma, 25 January 2013 - 08:23 AM.

[Bguk]

Tie Ma, on 25 January 2013 - 08:22 AM, said:

ECM is crazy OP.

its sad that it has even taken this long to convince them.

Lasers are OP.

It's sad it has even taken this long to convince you.

[Eddrick]

I prefer not to be dependant on ECM. I choose to never use it.

As for a premade team. I think atleast two should have it. ECM in general is to usefull to not have atleast one use it.

[Tennex]

luckily theres a fix coming soon

[Kaspirikay]

Oh god yes, ECM streakcat now pls

[Rokuzachi]

Every time, but it wouldn't matter because the other team will still have twice as many ECM, or at worst, four times as many.

They should do something that makes sense and limit the amount of ECMs in a match.

[Tennex]

Kaspirikay, on 25 January 2013 - 08:34 AM, said:

Oh god yes, ECM streakcat now pls

ECM SRM cat.

[Haji1096]

The benefits of ECM far outweigh the costs.

I'm not sure how to balance it, but it is incredibly annoying to get cut up by Ravens when I'm in my Jenner, I basically have to run back to my team or always stay around them.

Which defeats the purpose of being a scout.

[Broceratops]

they just need to put it on the ****** variants instead of the best commando, the best raven, the best atlas. that would balance it.

ecm didn't make these variants the best either. they already were.

Edited by Broceratops, 25 January 2013 - 08:42 AM.

[DeadlyNerd]

I'd equip it on my LRM boat so I can get to a good spot without some newb accidentally targeting me and then never changing targets again(cause their brain obviously can't handle the "press "r" again to see who your fighting") so I pop up on his screen every time he pops out of the corner. Guess who he starts shooting, me 700m away instead of the guy who's right in his face.

[Mechwarrior Buddah]

37 all the time 7 never... me thinks its more obvious an answer than we think

[Kommisar]

All the time. On every mech.

There is no downside. It is light enough that inclusion does not, really, impact mech builds in a significant way. I run AMS on all my mechs; an ECM would just replace it (and the ammo) with a positive .5 ton savings.

Other than the principled arguments you can read above ("I'm not using it because <state personal principle statement here>!") there is absolutely no reason not to. And I abhor using absolutes. But the bang for buck on this little black box is way to high to not use if available.

[Thirdstar]

ECM Jenner HO!