What are your strategies for ECM?

[MeiSooHaityu]

When making my own Cataphract 0X (Before v1.9), I noticed the AI now matches my reserving down so we both end up in Phase 1. This is good in the sense that ECM isn't as overpowered, but bad for me now because I am uncertain how to use it.

So I pose this question...What strategies work for you when utilizing ECM?

Do you use it to stealth by the enemy to attack their base in Attack and Defend missions? Do you use it to just reposition without taking fire? Or best of all, do you have a good way to use it in combat?

 

[Axterix13]

I use it to get the AI to waste moves, as well as make poor choices. Any mech that sensor locks is a mech that isn't firing. A mech that moves toward me to get inside the circle will often wind up in an inferior position than it would have otherwise (out in the open, instead of in the woods). And, of course, after all the reserving, I fire with my ECM Bullshark first, since it'll still have a pip. Which means the first enemy mech or two is potentially wasted (because it also isn't smart enough to use its mechs with sensor lock first).

And, of course, there's the indirect missile fire protection. And it is handy for protecting convoys. I ECM the APCs, while my other mechs run around blasting things, and since the AI can't see the APCs, it tends to leave them alone.

 

[MeiSooHaityu]

I did not think about convoy escort protection. That is also a good idea.

 

[Dogfisc]

The only problem I’ve had with it on escort missions is that the APCs will fire and blow their cover if they are in range.

I find that if you leave a unit out of ECM it will usually be enough to prevent the op for from reserving. I haven’t quite figured out the nuances of this though; it may be that the uncovered unit needs to be in LOS as well.

 

[ThatGuyMontag]

If you ensure you only have Initiative 2 'mechs you can force the OpFor to reserve down to 1, giving you free reign to shape the engagement the turn before.

It's useful for a sniper-spotter, especially if you make sure to clear out any enemy pilots with sensor lock. Just stick ECM on a 'mech that has a Rangefinder and you can place them to spot for your snipers without taking return fire.

In the middle of a general brawl you can rely on it to keep more fragile 'mechs safe as the OpFor focuses on targets it can shoot without spending resources.

 

[ThatGuyMontag]

Ooh, you can also use it sometimes to goad the OpFor into sprinting into the bubble, costing them their turn. As long as you don't treat ECM as fool-proof and make sure to use cover as well this rarely comes back to bite you.

 

[LongRange]

I haven’t used ECM much since they nerfed it with the AI reserving tactics.

I do wonder if you can use the ECM mech as a decoy and lead the opfor around while your other 3 take ‘me out.

 

[Axterix13]

No, that won't work. The AI will tend to shoot at what it can see, though you will most likely get some using Sensor Lock on cloaked mechs (note: any ol' cloaked mech, not even a major focus on the ECM carrier) even with visible targets. ECM won't turn your mech into the Pied Piper.

 

[LongRange]

Last time I played the Prototype FP the opfor seemed to concentrate on running into the ECM bubble rather than shooting up my weak lance. I wondered if a tactic could be developed to take advantage of that focus.

oh well, just a thought.

 

[Hoi Neuling]

Didn´t have anyone so far. But if I get attacked from such Vehicles / Mechs they are the first Targets (Main Targets) if there is no other Main Target first.