17 replies to this topic

[Silentium]

Does TAG counter ECM? I thought this was the case, but it is not what I observed this morning. Maybe the lock just takes so long you may as well not bother?

[Ilwrath]

Silentium, on 13 February 2013 - 04:45 AM, said:

Does TAG counter ECM? I thought this was the case, but it is not what I observed this morning. Maybe the lock just takes so long you may as well not bother?

TAG breaks ECM but lock is slower. LRM'ing the cheese Atlas to death is pure bliss. Be sure to equip always-on-TAG for comfort.

[thegimp73]

It does counter ecm, but only if you are outside of the ecm bubble will it relay that information to friendly lrm boats. If you are self tagging as an lrm boat. then yes to your second question as well, as most often the mech you are tagging will pull back into cover before you can get a lock.

[Star Colonel Mustard Kerensky]

If you get under the ECM umbrella tag stops working.

[Ilwrath]

Astroniomix, on 13 February 2013 - 04:55 AM, said:

If you get under the ECM umbrella tag stops working.

I don't now if he is talking about self tag or not. Any serious LRM spammer will do the tag himself. Tag without packing LRM's is mostly for aim assist or organized groups.

[Silentium]

Ahh, that explains it. So running a light with tag+ssrm is not a good counter to ecm light. Guess I'll just join the raven party then, or go back to regular srm.

[Flitzomat]

Without TAG (or Narc) ECM protected Mechs are not lockable if you are in a distance (>200m)
If you are closer to an ECM protected Mech (<200m) you can lock it (target info) without TAG but it takes longer

If you are tagging yourself you can only transmit the target information to your teammates when you are not in range of the ECM. So be sure to stay away at least 200m from the ECM carrying opponent.
(200m is the safety value; there were some tweaks you can read about in the last patch note)

By the way: I found using TAG the best and most fun way to farm XP. And it’s not solely for your own benefit, it helps your teammates a lot.

Edited by Flitzomat, 13 February 2013 - 05:01 AM.

[Ilwrath]

Silentium, on 13 February 2013 - 04:57 AM, said:

Ahh, that explains it. So running a light with tag+ssrm is not a good counter to ecm light. Guess I'll just join the raven party then, or go back to regular srm.

The only good counter to ECM light is another ECM light in counter mode. Sadly.

[Silentium]

Yeah, I was hoping that was not true. That's kind of lame.

[Mack1]

It offers a token counter and that is just under certain circumstances.

The skill test:

The LRM boat has to do all this:

1. Make sure the enemy is within 750m
2. Make sure no other ECM mech is close enough to shut him down
3. Hold the TAG button down while trying to keep the enemy mech in the crosshair
4. Not move at all otherwise it becomes pretty impossible to keep target, so enjoy getting cored
5. **** it only works with 100% LOS and another mech got in the way and broke the lock

The ECM guy has to do all this:

1. Press a button
2. Sing a song,
3. Whistle a tune
4. ROFL at helpless artillery
5. Fire at will in complete confidence that you have the enemy totally beaten by pressing one button.

This is balance guys.

[Codejack]

Flitzomat, on 13 February 2013 - 04:59 AM, said:

Without TAG (or Narc) ECM protected Mechs are not lockable if you are in a distance (>200m)

Um, NARC doesn't counter TAG.

And I'm still waiting for the explanation as to how ECM counters a friggin' LASER!

[Heketon]

Codejack, on 13 February 2013 - 05:07 AM, said:

And I'm still waiting for the explanation as to how ECM counters a friggin' LASER!

It isn't just a laser, it is an electronic reporting system between you and your teammates. If you are self-tagging then it works (eventually). If you are tagging for someone else while inside the bubble, the ECM scrambler disrupts the radio transmission to your teammate.

[Codejack]

Heketon, on 13 February 2013 - 05:15 AM, said:

It isn't just a laser, it is an electronic reporting system between you and your teammates. If you are self-tagging then it works (eventually). If you are tagging for someone else while inside the bubble, the ECM scrambler disrupts the radio transmission to your teammate.

No, TAG inside the bubble does not work at all.

[Heketon]

Oof. That's right. I shouldn't have been up at that hour of the morning.

Still, TAG is good for the XP bonus at the very least.

[Davers]

TAG and the upcoming 'EMP' effect from PPCs will dethrone the Atlas DDC as 'King of Assaults'. But neither does much against light mechs.

LRMs are still solid weapons, as long as the LRM boat has a buddy to discourage the enemy light mechs.

[Vasces Diablo]

Mack1, on 13 February 2013 - 05:07 AM, said:

It offers a token counter and that is just under certain circumstances.

The skill test:

The LRM boat has to do all this:

1. Make sure the enemy is within 750m
2. Make sure no other ECM mech is close enough to shut him down
3. Hold the TAG button down while trying to keep the enemy mech in the crosshair
4. Not move at all otherwise it becomes pretty impossible to keep target, so enjoy getting cored
5. **** it only works with 100% LOS and another mech got in the way and broke the lock

The ECM guy has to do all this:

1. Press a button
2. Sing a song,
3. Whistle a tune
4. ROFL at helpless artillery
5. Fire at will in complete confidence that you have the enemy totally beaten by pressing one button.

This is balance guys.

Dude, really. Another fine example of people not understanding how ECM works.

You don't have to press a button, it's already on at the start of the match.

[Mercules]

It works, but it isn't meant for PuGging. I dropped with a Single Friend in his Foundercat. He had LRMs and Lasers. I had TAG. He was finishing with top damage and kills in matches(except for the ones I stole while holding the TAG) all night long despite ECM. Did I mention we both had the extended decay modules installed as well as extended range?

[GODzillaGSPB]

Mack1, on 13 February 2013 - 05:07 AM, said:

It offers a token counter and that is just under certain circumstances.

The skill test:

The LRM boat has to do all this:

1. Make sure the enemy is within 750m
2. Make sure no other ECM mech is close enough to shut him down
3. Hold the TAG button down while trying to keep the enemy mech in the crosshair
4. Not move at all otherwise it becomes pretty impossible to keep target, so enjoy getting cored
5. **** it only works with 100% LOS and another mech got in the way and broke the lock

The ECM guy has to do all this:

1. Press a button
2. Sing a song,
3. Whistle a tune
4. ROFL at helpless artillery
5. Fire at will in complete confidence that you have the enemy totally beaten by pressing one button.

This is balance guys.

Counter check, without ECM:

The LRM boat has to do all this:

1. Get lock
2. Fire
3. Repeat

ECM definitely needs a change, but if PGI is not careful, we'll be back in the old days, were LRM blot out the sun. Yeah yeah I know..."then we'll fight in the shade."