X-1 AP Equipment

[Prussian Havoc]

I just came across this precious nugget of electronic goodness in my current Career Mode Attempt and it surprised me.

“Area” Sensor Locking is a great use of the original Sensor Lock Mechanism. At first I didn’t think there was a Lore president for it. But then a noticed the “GEN 1 Probe” annotation in the X-1 AP Equipment write-up. Since BATTLETECH already includes a robust Mech/Vehicle detection and subsequent identification mechanism, including a “GEN 1” piece of E-WAR equipment that builds on the Sensor Lock Mechanism, is to me a stock of game design genius.

Here is the write up for the X-1 AP: “This prototype electronic warfare component recreates the capabilities of the LosTech Beagle Active Probe. When activated the probe performs a Sensor Lock against all enemies within its radius before entering a cooldown state. This component can not be mounted along with the ECM component.”


Has anyone had experience developing and testing out tactics for this capability? (A heavily armored Light Mech with Jump Jets and a Bulwark MechWarrior is my current means of delivery for the my X-1 AP. : ) )

Has anyone seen the OpFor using the X-1 AP?

Are there any other game mechanisms that lend themselves to be packaged as an E-WAR component?

Any other questions, comments or war stories are quite welcome. And as ever, good luck and good gaming! :bow:

 

[commuterzombie]

I think you would have to build a lance around it to get the most out of it. You rarely need to sensor lock more than one target at a time.

I suppose if you are fighting lighter mechs with heavy ones and you want to kill them all quickly, sensor locking all of them so your lancemates can all precision shot their CTs with greater hit %s might let you pull off a power turn?

You're not really threatened in that situation though so to me it feels more like a gimmick than essential equipment.

 

[Prussian Havoc]

I think you would have to build a lance around it to get the most out of it. You rarely need to sensor lock more than one target at a time.

I suppose if you are fighting lighter mechs with heavy ones and you want to kill them all quickly, sensor locking all of them so your lancemates can all precision shot their CTs with greater hit %s might let you pull off a power turn?

You're not really threatened in that situation though so to me it feels more like a gimmick than essential equipment.

Good points. :bow:

I have yet to put it in play but believe it could very effectively neutralize an opponent’s Raven. Much would depend on a comparison of the radii of coverage between the Raven’s ECM and the X-1 AP. I’ll have to add a Brawling Assault Mech to the 6JJ Firestarter I am looking to use as I test various builds and tactics.

 

[Hobbes__]

Here is the write up for the X-1 AP: “This prototype electronic warfare component recreates the capabilities of the LosTech Beagle Active Probe. When activated the probe performs a Sensor Lock against all enemies within its radius before entering a cooldown state. This component can not be mounted along with the ECM component.”

Has anyone had experience developing and testing out tactics for this capability? (A heavily armored Light Mech with Jump Jets and a Bulwark MechWarrior is my current means of delivery for the my X-1 AP. : ) )

Has anyone seen the OpFor using the X-1 AP?

Are there any other game mechanisms that lend themselves to be packaged as an E-WAR component?

I have a subfaction in my Hyades Rim mod that uses 'Mech variants equipped with EW devices. The AI normally uses the AP by sending a 'Mech to the middle of the skirmish and then pinging all my lance. Usually that 'Mech doesn't last much longer afterwards.

The other two pieces of equipment they use are a Laser TAG (deals no damage but reduces target's evasion) and an ECM Stealth Suite (similar to the X-1 ECM but the EW field only cloaks the 'Mech carrying it).

 

[Retic73]

I've used it the AP ability in the Raven. IMO. the multiple sensor lock is most beneficial during the initial engagement when all you've got are 3-4 red blips. Using the AP let's you identify all of them thereby allowing you to better adjust your initial tactics/movement. It remains somewhat useful after that in special situations such as if you use multiple snipers at range and they don't have LOS on the same OPFOR due to terrain; they can then fire at different targets if you multi-locked.

 

[Jade_Rook]

I use the active probe to identify sensor blips or as a mass accuracy debuff. I expect it will work best on a high mobility lance where the accuracy penalty will have more impact. I have only used it with the Raven, not the separate AP module.

 

[commuterzombie]

Ha, now I want to try a mech with this in a lance with 3 Awesomes where the pilots all have Breaching Shot and Multishot. Would that end up being +5 difficulty to hit for 3 of the Opfor (+2 from the probe and +3 each from 3 PPC hits) ?

 

[Prussian Havoc]

In response to an earlier question, the X-1 AP Equipment can be activated from the “Active Probe Ping” button on the bottom of the Weapons Menu (lower left portion of the Combat Screen.)

 

[Icewraith]

You know when you run into a vehicle lance at the edge of sensor range, and three of them are 60 tons, and you have one pilot with sensor lock?

That’s what this is for.

 

[Prussian Havoc]

You know when you run into a vehicle lance at the edge of sensor range, and three of them are 60 tons, and you have one pilot with sensor lock?

That’s what this is for.

Agreed. : )

It also makes a great sidekick to a pair of Assassins with Intercept Systems (which cuts through 3 Evasion Chevrons.) Just say good by to those pesky COIL Fleas!

 

[commuterzombie]

I picked one of these up in my current career run. I've not fitted it to a Mech yet as I am finding that +100m Rangefinders on a mobile Mech give me the scouting utility I need with 0 downside. I do want to try this out though, maybe I can rejig the SRM loadout on the Griffin 2N I have and incorporate it without suffering too much of a firepower decrease...

I do feel that there is a use here for marking targets for a Master Tactican/Multi-Target LRM toting lance mate to draw aggro in those Base/Convoy defence missions.

 

[44th MAC|Bonsai]

I've tried the AP, but didn't really find too much use for it. Given it's limited range barely beyond sight range, it's use for scouting is neglectable. The accuracy debuff and evasion-stripping is kinda nice, but when I tested it I already progressed towards lategame, so my pilots were precise and the enemy was slow, so enemy evasion didn't really matter.

I think it's strongest early to midgame, when you and your enemy field mostly faster mechs with mediocre pilots. There it could really tip the outcome of a battle and give you an edge well worth the tonnage. You could add it to a mech that's running hot, making it a "one turn of fire, one turn of AoE-lock to cool down"-loadout, essentially just scrapping 6HS for it. Maybe on a Hunchback-4P? Instead 8MLs and 23HS stock generating 27 overheat, it could be one additional ton of armor, the probe and 16HS for 48 overheat, which would be totally negated in your cooldown/locking turn.

 

[Jack Frost]

Speaking of active probe, and maybe I missed something, but did one of the updates remove the active probe from the ECM module if you add it to a non-raven?

 

[Timaeus]

Speaking of active probe, and maybe I missed something, but did one of the updates remove the active probe from the ECM module if you add it to a non-raven?

The Raven's EW equipment is the only item that is both ECM and Active Probe. Otherwise you can only have one, or the other.