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Changing ECM to improve useability across all ships
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Garrett Howe
New Eden Shipbuilding
#1 - 2015-09-28 03:32:48 UTC
I think ECM could use improvement from a game design perspective in that it is really only useful (minus ECM drones) on ships with bonuses to its use. Compare this to other EWAR (tracking disruptors, target painters, stasis webifiers, and sensor dampeners) which all see use on some fits without any bonuses to their use, I would argue because:

1. Their effect is guaranteed
2. Their base strength is still significant

ECM has a very high strength, but its effect is so unpredictable on hulls without a bonus to its use that, combined with a high CPU cost, high activation cost, and long cycle time, it sees very little use on ships without a bonus for it. I would propose changing ECM to the following:

1. ECM no longer breaks locks, but instead simply prohibits the use of any activated modules that target (e.g. weapons, remote repair, EWAR)
2. Reduce cycle time on ECM to 5 seconds
3. Reduce capacitor use by 3/4

This way, ECM would have a more predictable effect over time without requiring jammed ships to constantly reacquire targets. Thoughts?
Val'Dore
PlanetCorp InterStellar
#2 - 2015-09-28 04:33:34 UTC
I could see the potential of such an idea, ECM has always been controversial. But improving its effects on unbonused hulls would make it the automatic BiS for a lot of ships that don't currently fit them. You'd have TD bonused ships using ECM instead of TDs.... that sort of thing.

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Xaros IX
Doomheim
#3 - 2015-09-28 06:15:56 UTC
That would make ecm a bit like dampeners (0 lock range), difference being that you can achieve the same result with just 1 module.

No other form of ewar denies you usability of modules, specially high slot. Maybe its time to make ewar hull specific, if you don't have a bonus, you cannot fit it (will cause a lot of problems, not the most popular idea, but could work)

You could restrict ecm to deactivating point (a similar mechanic to how scram deactivates mwd). You achieve a "phantom " lock break and ppl can warp to safety( not too useful in null, where you can be bubbled).

Yes, ecm is a big problem child. Add to the fact that the only usable ewar drones are ecm , and you will find yourself between a rock and a hard place. Not much room to maneuver when it comes to balancing ewar.
Reaver Glitterstim
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#4 - 2015-09-28 06:31:33 UTC
Val'Dore wrote:
I could see the potential of such an idea, ECM has always been controversial. But improving its effects on unbonused hulls would make it the automatic BiS for a lot of ships that don't currently fit them. You'd have TD bonused ships using ECM instead of TDs.... that sort of thing.

What if all races had their own unique EWAR, we give Caldari something new (like mid-slot defender missiles), then make ECM for everyone, and give all EWAR ships a role bonus to the strength of the specific type of jammer most effective against their enemy?

For instance the Crucifier would have a bonus to Ladar Jammers, and the Scorpion would have a bonus to Magnetometric Jammers. This could also boost that specific channel when using a multispectral jammer without boosting the whole jammer. That way you have two saving graces:
1.) ships that are good at jamming are only good at jamming some ships
2.) you can tell by looking at it what it's good at jamming

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