Ships & Modules

So, let's run through some common arguments on why ECM isn't overpowered and prove why they're wrong.

"ECM is only good in small gangs, it sucks in large fleet fights."

People who say this have clearly never seen a CFC alphafleet with craptons of scorps. Additionally, even if this was actually true, since when was this a balancing factor for determining the OP-ness of something? For something to be perfectly balanced, it should be reasonably useful for all forms of warfare. Saying that ECM is well balanced because it "only" dominates on the small gang scale is like saying that the pre-nerfed Dramiels weren't overpowered because they "only" dominated other frigates; i.e, stupid.

"ECM is only good because Rooks/Falcons use up all their slots for jammers. If Curses focused solely on ewar and not combat, you would get the same effect."

Really? Let's do some ~EFT Math~.

Let's suppose there's a gang of Harbingers. That's a nice target for a Curse; cap intensive turrets. The very thing a Curse is made for.

Now let's suppose this Curse fits ALL OUT EWAR. 5 medium neuts in its highs, 4 tracking disruptors/cap booster/MWD in the mids, and some **** in the lows which doesn't really matter because we're comparing pure ewar abilities. The Curse loads up optimal range scripts in its TD's and goes to town.

The results:
-A focused medium pulse harby has its range cut down to 10km with scorch from a single TD, so it can still deal good damage to close range targets. Two TD's will bring it to 4km. It also takes 2 neuts to destabilize its cap; so let's say with two neuts and two TD's, a Curse can "shut down" a Harbinger. that means, with 4 TD's and 5 neuts, a Curse can effectively shut down, oh, two Harbies.

Meanwhile, let's assume that a Rook, which, like the Curse, is fit for all out ewar, tries jamming the harbies:
-A single Amarr racial jammer has a 92% chance of jamming a Harb. Even if the Harb gimps itself by dropping the crucial cap booster for an ECCM, it'll still get jammed 50% of the time by a single jammer. Let's be generous and assume the harb does fit eccm, maybe sacrificing a point/web; two ECM will still jam it three quarters of the time. Since the Rook has 6 jammers, let's say that it can "shut" down 2.5-3 Harbies. Even if they fit ECCM.

This isn't even considering the fact that a Rook's definition of "shut down" is far superior to that of a Curse. A Curse will prevent the harb from hitting well; a Rook will prevent the Harb from shooting, pointing, telling drones what to do, NOS/neuting, and webbing. On top of that, the range of a Curse's neuts are 36km, and its TD's are 69km with 35 falloff. A Rook's Jammers are 60km with 50 falloff. Durp de durp. Did I mention that the Curse needs recons 5 to get 36km neut range, while a Rook has the same range no matter what?

"ECM ships have crappy tanks."

So would a Curse if you were to use the aformentioned fit ^. It's still less effective than a Rook.

"ECM is only powerful against minmatar because of their low sensor strength."

Nope; racial jammers give it the potential to devastate anything. See the Harb example.

What did I miss? /flameon

Kill it with fire I say!

+1 for heavily changing the jam mechanics/strength for drones! Make them need specialised ships or something. Anything will be good, that makes them less fun crippling.

+1 for only a slight adjustment on ecm ships. Reasonable would be a decrease in cycle time.

Maybe a rookie remark but isn't a stealth bomber a good counter for emc.

both for bombing the emc ships drones, but doesn't also have an EMC bomb braeking the lockons for everybody.

It would require tactics where you keep reinforcements/reserve troops, but those work in real war as well.

Well the only thing that irritates me more than ECM, is people trying to bring stuff down to their level.

Seriously, the game and dev's are not at fault bro.

ECM drones often fail, ECM drones are slow, ECM drones are easily smart-bombed, ECM drones are counterable with ECCM, ECM drones work at standard drone distances, etc..

Dude, If you wan't to win, you are gonna have to work a little harder than trying to nerf everything down to your skill lvl's.

ECM drones or not, you were going to loose that engagement, you were out-classed and out manned.

Say ECM drones get the boot, people will use a blackbird or Rook, what then, ask to nerf that? People will use Damps after that, TD's, Neuts, raw DPS.

Have you considered improving your skills rather than bringing the rest of us down to your level? It is possible, try it, be a good player.

if you were so good and you make so many pvp videos saying you are good wildcat you could handle ecm without crying

oh well fireman. i wait for your next tears to fuel me

@OP
Smart bombs, I know its been posted already. But don't underestmate the utility of smart bombs! Not only do they make short work of ECM drones, but one a little guy tryes to get under your guns it can save ya. Also if you'r a lucky basterd it can wipe-out a wave of missles just like that. If you move in for the kill at point blank and start up smart bombs you can nab the pod too!

ECM drones?

Fit smartbombs.

https://forums.eveonline.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=61814&find=unread

That's how I'd fix that. Not sure where it could have helped in your case, but hey!..

A use for the 8th slot on an Armageddon...