20 replies to this topic

[Spencley]

I understand that you wanted an Assault mech to have ECM and the stalker was not about at the time.

However the stalker has been in the game sometime now and yet we still have the Atlas which is capable of any roll and has a mix of every hardpoint running around with ECM.

This goes against the original lore as the Atlas does not have ECM.

Can we expect are change or are we stuck with this ridiculous mech?

The Stalker whilst is is a very big assault mech capable of holding tremendous amounts of weapons it is limited by its torso twist rate and angle. This prevents it from being an effective brawler and with ECM it would turn the mech into a great stand point for your other lighter mechs that depend on range.This would result in the stalker becoming an almost support mech with its ECM and acting as a slow mobile cover point for your bigger mechs and any retreating light mechs. Your team mates who are in bigger mechs will most likely hang around a stalker resulting in more team work!

The Atlas D-DC however is capable of filling any role and incredibly effectice at brawling. This often results in the Atlas charging head on into battle and leaving your other ranged mechs to fend for themselves whilst the Atlas runs of with the lights also carrying ECM.

Poll is attached with 4 possible choices. May have been another poll or even a number of similar polls which have been buried so here is a fresh one.

Please give your opinion and or reasoning for your choice as well

Edited by Spencley, 31 January 2013 - 12:07 AM.

[Adamski]

The decision to give the Atlas D-DC ECM had nothing whatsoever to do with needing an Assault with ECM.

The Atlas D-DC has ECM because in the lore it is meant to carry a Command Console, which is currently not implemented in the game.

Once the Command Console is implemented and not just a place holder item, they can strip out the ability to carry ECM at that time.

Also, the Stalker arms hardpoints are mounted higher than the Atlas, which gives the Stalker an advantage when firing over small hills / buildings. So its not like the Stalker has no advantages compared to an Atlas.

[GalaxyBluestar]

i'd hate to see a stalker with an ecm and i enjoy my stalkers! we'll get a ecm awesome in 2 years the 9q but until then live with that atlas having it.

Edited by GalaxyBluestar, 31 January 2013 - 12:26 AM.

[Ilwrath]

They should give ECM to all assaults after increasing its weight to 7 tons and only letting it work for the mech that has it equipped. So no shielding others.

[Spencley]

Adamski, on 31 January 2013 - 12:18 AM, said:

The decision to give the Atlas D-DC ECM had nothing whatsoever to do with needing an Assault with ECM.

The Atlas D-DC has ECM because in the lore it is meant to carry a Command Console, which is currently not implemented in the game.

Once the Command Console is implemented and not just a place holder item, they can strip out the ability to carry ECM at that time.

Also, the Stalker arms hardpoints are mounted higher than the Atlas, which gives the Stalker an advantage when firing over small hills / buildings. So its not like the Stalker has no advantages compared to an Atlas.

I am by no means saying the Stalker is a bad mech and has no advantages compared to the Atlas! I have the stalker over the atlas and it is one of 2 mechs a play. A raven 3L with ECM that hangs back and supports the bigger mechs and my 6xPPC stalker i play for fun. By no means would i use ECM on it as i generally do not like big mechs but this is just a fun thing to use.

Thanks for the info about the command console did not know that. By any chance do you know what the effects will be or are rumored to be on it?

[KinLuu]

It is questionable weather or not the DDC should have ECM.

But it is pretty clear that the Stalker should never have ECM. No missile mech should ever get ECM.

[One Medic Army]

If any of the assaults should have gotten it, I'd have given it to one of the slow awesomes, just to give them a reason to exist currently.

This is just based on balance, seeing as the D-DC was already one of the best Atlas variants.

Edited by One Medic Army, 31 January 2013 - 01:29 AM.

[Spencley]

KinLuu, on 31 January 2013 - 01:20 AM, said:

It is questionable weather or not the DDC should have ECM.

But it is pretty clear that the Stalker should never have ECM. No missile mech should ever get ECM.

It has ECM in the lore but i see your reasoning behind an LRM boat not having ECM! They are however trying to keep it as close to tabletop/Lore as they can i have been told and a stalker variant does have ECM i am told, which one i have no clue. Maybe a stalker yet to be released and has no missile slots... Who knows!

[Vechs]

If you did give ECM to a Stalker, give it to the 3H.

Because seriously.

Look at the 3H compared to the others.

[Elkarlo]

Wrong Atlas thats the Problem.

Count the Slots together:
AS7-D= 8 Weapon Hardpoints + 1AMS Slot =9
AS7-D-DC=7 Weapon Hardpoints + 1 AMS Slot + 1 ECM Slots = 9
AS7-K=6 Weapon Hardpoints +2 AMS Slots = 8
AS7-RS=7 Weapon Hardpoints + 1 AMS Slot = 8

So we got the D as basic Modell with most Weapon Hardpoints.
The others have other Layouts and benefits. Maybe it was unwise to give a 7 Weapon Version the ECM, the K would
be then the real defensiv master. But he would have gained least from the Benefits of ECM, but would be the Anchor of
a battleline. The Defensiv Center but putting to many in a Team would mean weakening the Offensiv Capacity's.

The D-Dc got limits Offensiv Capacitys as well but at least he got no "small" Hardpoints. And he can go out with good Damage depending on his 3 Launchers.

We need another Module which counters ECM, like strenghed Electronics ( allowing you to lock and see the Map when under ECM influence) Then the Atlas Versions could be balanced via Modules. Hopefully this is the other Module Paul mentioned to counter ECM. ( he said something about two Modules to counter, one is Adv Sensoring Range)

[Solis Obscuri]

Stalker doesn't have ECM and I doubt it ever will. It doesn't even have two module slots. I like the Stalker because it's a capable, powerful 'mech, no frills, not a lot of subtlety, not the oughest thing out there, not the best at infighting, but it can put some hurt out. It's an offense-oriented assault 'mech and that's its job. The Atlas is a juggernaut braler, and it does well - the D-DC is currently the crutchmode version of it because it can carry ECM and boat the most OP SSRMs, but the other variants are fine.

In my ideal world, any 'mech could carry ECM, because ECM would be a balanced unit with a set range of defensive capabilies that would be worthwhile for the weight and crit-slot requirements, but nothing nearly so powerful as the Jesus-in-a-box we have now.

[Sir Wulfrick]

The Atlas should have ECM, however the ECM carrying variant should be the ATL7-K rather than the ATL7-D-DC.

With it's hardpoint load the -D-DC is sufficiently powerful without ECM. The ATL7-K however is obviously designed to be a long-range direct fire support mech and as such would benefit from the extra buff of ECM.

Should another assaut mech get ECM? Not really sure. One of the more energy-oriented Stalker variants perhaps.

[Redshift2k5]

I'm fine with the DDC having ECM.

I am not fine with it being a monopoly.

Introduce the STK 3Fb- Has ECM and two LRM20s, but it would only have 2 missile hardpoints (unlike the 4 on most other Stalkers) since it lacks the SRM launchers.

[MercilessTRADER]

Awesome needs Love... Stalkers are already a Beast..

Edited by MercilessTRADER, 31 January 2013 - 04:30 AM.

[Adridos]

Unless we get a Battlemater or Cyclops, the D-DC is the command mech of choice.

[Kodiak Jorgensson]

ECM should be moved to the K Atlas, its the least popular of the selections and needs some love. i've seen a total of 3 K Atlases this past month.

[Joseph Mallan]

I voted for the Stalker to have the ECM over the D-DC. The Stalker 3F[b] is a canon design that carries ECM The D-DC does not. I'm a D-DC pilot and would rather the ECM be where it belongs.

[Hellboy561]

I think the main change that should come to ECM is that it actually takes up a hardpoint, namely the AMS hardpoint which should be changed to a "utility" hardpoint. Then you could give ECM to every Mech but then the pilot would have to choose ECM over other utilities like the Command Console, AMS, BAP and other things to come in the future (Spotlights, UAV?? Please )

Then the AS7-K would become useful and more used as it had 2 AMS hardpoints and therefore could carry more utilities.

Discuss.

[Strum Wealh]

Sir Wulfrick, on 31 January 2013 - 03:20 AM, said:

The Atlas should have ECM, however the ECM carrying variant should be the ATL7-K rather than the ATL7-D-DC.

With it's hardpoint load the -D-DC is sufficiently powerful without ECM. The ATL7-K however is obviously designed to be a long-range direct fire support mech and as such would benefit from the extra buff of ECM.

Should another assaut mech get ECM? Not really sure. One of the more energy-oriented Stalker variants perhaps.

Personally, I generally agree - with its heavy use of LosTech, twin AMS, and apparent emphasis on both defense and long-range (generally direct-fire) combat, the AS7-K would have been the preferable variant for ECM capability.

By contrast, the AS7-D-DC would be equipped with its Command Console, which should include ECCM (think "ECM in Counter Mode") capability (per the advanced gameplay rules in Tactical Operations), making the Console-equipped AS7-D-DC the foil to the ECM-equipped AS7-K.

Also, if any variant of the Stalker would be granted ECM capability, it should be the STK-3F since it is this variant upon which the STK-3Fb (the SLDF Royals variant, which comes stock with ECM installed) is based.

[Ilwrath]

Hellboy561, on 31 January 2013 - 04:52 AM, said:

I think the main change that should come to ECM is that it actually takes up a hardpoint, namely the AMS hardpoint which should be changed to a "utility" hardpoint. Then you could give ECM to every Mech but then the pilot would have to choose ECM over other utilities like the Command Console, AMS, BAP and other things to come in the future (Spotlights, UAV?? Please )

ECM or AMS.. hmmm hard choice.

I think it would be better to increase weight + maybe add crits so there is a disadvantage with picking ECM.