GECM+Passive stacking

[Askis]

I'm not sure whether this is a bug or intentional, but I do recall someone saying way back, that the effects of GECM and Passive shouldn't stack.
It's also on the Wiki:
"This does not stack on top of a unit's reduced signature when in Passive Radar mode."

Well, the thing is, it does.
A unit without BAP or BHP can pick up an enemies signature at 500m if the enemy has GECM or is in Passive radar mode, if it's someone with GECM and Passive enabled, they only turn up at 250m.
Additionally, stacking GECM and Passive increases missile lockon time more than just GECM or Passive do.

Now, is this considered a bug to be fixed at some point or is it intentional, to give a GECM equipped unit some kind of benefit when giving up a lot of radar range with passive mode?

[Spooky]

Additionally, stacking GECM and Passive increases missile lockon time more than just GECM or Passive do.

At least this part seems to be intentional though.

As of release 0.3.0, the GECM also increases the time it takes for an enemy to achieve target lock. This bonus does stack on top of the similar bonus given by running in Passive Radar mode.

http://wiki.mechlivinglegends.net/index.php?title=GECM

[SquareSphere }12thVR{]

Actually I thought if someone had ecm there was a condition where they don't show up on a passive person's radar at all.

[MerfMerf]

Actually I thought if someone had ecm there was a condition where they don't show up on a passive person's radar at all.

If you have GECM and run passive then mechs running passive will not be able to target you. At all.

/Merf - I spy with my little eye...

[=KoS= Eldragon]

Actually I thought if someone had ecm there was a condition where they don't show up on a passive person's radar at all.

If you have GECM and run passive then mechs running passive will not be able to target you. At all.

/Merf - I spy with my little eye...

Which is REALLY useful if you're in a tank w/ ECM (Demolisher). They can't tell which side is damaged.

[Focusboy]

ive noticed this.. but if u have BAP and in passive you can pick them up

[Brainwright]

If you have GECM and run passive then mechs running passive will not be able to target you. At all.

/Merf - I spy with my little eye...

It's not just passive.  An asset running passive with GECM is essentially invisible to radar.  One of many reasons I want the system modified.

[Askis]

If you have GECM and run passive then mechs running passive will not be able to target you. At all.

/Merf - I spy with my little eye...

It's not just passive.  An asset running passive with GECM is essentially invisible to radar.  One of many reasons I want the system modified.

As I've said in the first post, stacking GECM and passive reduces the range that one can be detected at to 250m.
Not invisible to radar (unless you're running passive yourself) but can't be detected until you're really close.

[Nitro_R]

If you have GECM and run passive then mechs running passive will not be able to target you. At all.

/Merf - I spy with my little eye...

It's not just passive.  An asset running passive with GECM is essentially invisible to radar.  One of many reasons I want the system modified.

As I've said in the first post, stacking GECM and passive reduces the range that one can be detected at to 250m.
Not invisible to radar (unless you're running passive yourself) but can't be detected until you're really close.

That is why it is essential to have mechs with C3+BHP/BAP on your team....
The mechanic is sound as it is.

[KorJax]

Yeah, a lot of mechs/vehicles are outfitted with range boosters as is, usually only the really brawl heavy mechs are the ones that have the standard "1km" radar range. Someone with BHP will easily be able to find someone stacking GECM+Passive Mode within 750m or so (if my spur of the moment head math is right).

Couple C3 in with that and it pretty much entirely counters GECM for the team.

[(TLL) Zeh]

I love the way GECM works.  Works perfectly IMO.  And the only time someone is invisible to you is if your radar is passive and they have GECM AND are passive.

[=KoS=Zeus]

Unless you throw your reticule on them and press Q. Then you get their info, unless I am sorely mistaken.

[(TLL)Andreas]

Yeah, a lot of mechs/vehicles are outfitted with range boosters as is, usually only the really brawl heavy mechs are the ones that have the standard "1km" radar range. Someone with BHP will easily be able to find someone stacking GECM+Passive Mode within 750m or so (if my spur of the moment head math is right).

Couple C3 in with that and it pretty much entirely counters GECM for the team.

GECM cuts detection range by 1/2, going passive cuts detection range by 1/2, going passive and GECM stacks = your detection range is reduced to 1/4 of what an active mech without GECM have.

1400m (BHP) divided by 4 is 350m! so you need to be within 350m with your C3 for it to be of any use.

Btw, if one mech A has GECM and is fighting an asset B without GECM and B goes passive while A is still active then B will not be able to see/target A regardless of distance even if A is only 100m away. If A goes passive as well then neither one can target the other, but A will always be able to tell if B is passive or not by just watching his radar (since if B goes active he shows up on A's radar).

I know this is true for mechs without BHP but i have not tested this myself with BHP, but I am fairly confident that this is true (B can not target A) even if B has BHP and goes passive while A who has GECM and is active and within 300m range.

[Askis]

Unless you throw your reticule on them and press Q. Then you get their info, unless I am sorely mistaken.

You are mistaken
If you don't have a radar contact to an enemy, you can't target him, even if he's right next to you.

GECM cuts detection range by 1/2, going passive cuts detection range by 1/2, going passive and GECM stacks = your detection range is reduced to 1/4 of what an active mech without GECM have.

1400m (BHP) divided by 4 is 350m! so you need to be within 350m with your C3 for it to be of any use.

AFAIK, BHP simply adds 400m to your detection and isn't reduced by GECM/Passive, so you should pick up a GECM+Passive target from 650m away, haven't tested this yet.

Couple C3 in with that and it pretty much entirely counters GECM for the team.

I know, my main question was if the stacking is intentional or not, as I recall it being said at some point, that it wasn't.

[HAARP]

BAP: +200m to own detection radius
BHP: +400m

GECM: -500m to being-detected radius
AECM: -700m
passive: -750m
shutdown: -1100m

just fyi