While this would be a pretty big nerf to ecm drones (maybe increase their strength to compensate?) This seems the best idea I've seen so far.

Suprising.

I'm going to have to grudgingly +1

We have 3 three counters to ECM already

1. ECCM
2. FoF missiles
3. Drones

Why the hell do we need yet another counter?

I suggest your learn how to counter ECM rather than whine about it.

In RL ECM is usual is done by blinding sensors by large amount of noise. While this prevents locking of normal targets it actually makes it easier to track jammer that is source of noise, so a typical modern anti air and anti ship active guided missiles are programmed to switch to passive mode if jammed and guide to source of jamming noise.

As an analogy I would suggest that ships targeted by ECM be allowed to lock on ships or drones that are attempting to use ECM on them, even if they are unable to lock any other target. Maybe even ECM targeted ships should get sensor range and resolution bonus against ships using ECM on them.

This would make ECM useless in solo ships but still useful in fleets to either take out enemy logistic ships or DPS ships that have gunn/missile range smeller then ECM range. In that way ECM would become equal to other EVE e-war methods in that it is useful only is specific situations and and against specific ships instead of instant overwhelming force multiplier that can be used against any ship (except supper capitals and titians).

We have 3 three counters to ECM already

The reason it's so difficult to nerf is that it'd hard to nerf the EWAR without breaking half a dozen ships, but this idea makes it less viable for locking down an entire gang with 2 ships while still keeping it useful in an anti-support role. Best solution I've seen so far, frankly.

This ability you speak of is in SOME missiles only. Those missiles can passively "home" on very strong amounts if radar or infrared EM waves. This application is not present in all anti air and anti ship missiles by any means and currently has an in game equivalent of FoF Missiles.

This would make ECM useless in solo ships but still useful in fleets to either take out enemy logistic ships or DPS ships that have gunn/missile range smeller then ECM range. In that way ECM would become equal to other EVE e-war methods in that it is useful only is specific situations and and against specific ships instead of instant overwhelming force multiplier that can be used against any ship (except supper capitals and titians).

That is take your own Ewar with you in a small gang. This is the most simple idea.

ECM is fine as it is.

As any Ewar pilot will tell you ECM is not a dead cert. to work unlike any other EWAR system and the ships that have bonuses or are designed to use ECM are the weakness in their class, so as it stands ECM pilots fly with a greater risk of getting podded then any other member of a fleet.

When the only viable counter to X is more of X or overwhelming force, something is badly wrong and needs rebalancing. ECM fits this perfectly. Thanks for helping me make my point there.


Provide evidence/proper argument or **** off. So far all you've contributed is a list of "counters" that are at best situational and at worst utterly useless.


I am an Ewar pilot, thanks, unlike you by the look of it. Let's re-list your "counters" from my point of view, shall we?

1. Drones - I'm out of range of all but sentries. The only ships that can use those are a couple of battleships and two cruisers - hardly practical.
2. FoF missiles - utterly laughable. Even if I'm in range, and they fire at me, (two very big ifs there) they do pathetic DPS and most of them get shot down by my defenders. Yeah, FoFs barely even deserve a mention here.
3. ECCM - thanks for giving up a slot for something that only barely hinders me, guys. I've managed to get jams on 2 ECCM'd Basilisks at the same time before.

Oh and I think you mean "get blown up" not "get podded", as if you're not in a bubble it's pretty damn hard to get your pod killed unless you lag out. As for getting blown up - hey guess what, I'm too far out for most weapons to even reach me. I guess having a clue how to fly my ships is why I don't lose many ECM boats eh?

Actually in RL what happen is a missile is able to lock on to the source of the White noise.

This we already have they are called FoF missiles they can be fired at any aggressive ship whether your can lock them or not. Therefore why do we need yet another module or change that make a Ewar ship redundant.

We have 3 three counters to ECM already

1. ECCM
2. FoF missiles
3. Drones

Why the hell do we need yet another counter?

I suggest your learn how to counter ECM rather than whine about it.

In RL.

I stopped reading here.

You need to take another look at what game you're playing.

ship breaking range nerf?

Should've read on further, they got the idea from RL then presented it in terms that make gameplay sense.

The fundamental problem with ECM (besides the mechanic, but one thing at a time...) is the way it scales. In mid-larger fleet fights, it's fine balance-wise. It's small gangs where it's a big problem - and the main solution to ECM for them is either bringing their own ship (great. More of those around, fun stuff) or to bring more people (yay blobbing!).

This idea keeps ECM viable at all fight sizes but nerfs it slightly in small gang engagements. I see no issues with this, frankly.

Good idea or not, anyone who starts an idea with "In RL" is an idiot and not really worth listening to.

No. ECM got greatly nerfed long ago. It is enough as it is.

Every ship and every tactic must have a situation where it has the advantage. For example, if you have a ship that is very powerful in close range, you know you have to get close to the enemy. What you're asking here in this example would be to reduce the strength of this ship in close range.

ECM's are powerful in small gangs. It is their strength.

I have been flying Rook, Blackbird and Scorpion for YEARS, and I think they're very well balanced right now.

And all said nerf did was bring an overpowered module down from 200km range to 70+. Yeah, so crippling.

blah blah blah

Try fitting an ECM ship for yourself and see how powerful they are. To make it so omgwtfoverpowered, they need to have all or almost all ECMs in the mid slots (that means no tackle), and they need whatever tiny buffer they can get in the low (that means no damage). And they still have paper-thin tanks.

Maybe try targetting these wtfpwnmobiles and you'll see that they fall apart under any fire whatsoever. Or maybe try flying one and you'll see that your own arguments fall apart under any fire whatsoever.

They are the best of the racial EWars, but they are balanced as they are. The other EWars are just situational or plain sucky.

(PS. They could have a range of a million meters and it wouldn't make a difference. At 140 km or so you can just warp on top of them.)