Sensor lock on more than one Mech at a time?

[Flinx]

I have not played Battletech for a while and started a new game.
I´m at the point where I have to specialize my pilots. I remeber, that I had in a former game a Pilot/Mech, that was capible of giving sensor-lock on multiple (I think it was three) targets in one action.

But I can´t remeber exactly why it was possible. Seems not to be the pilot, must be an equipment, it seems. Can someone tell me:
- which one it is (or is a combine of pilot skills)
- is it rare or common
- is tactics 5="sensor lock" an pre-condition for the pilot to use it, or can any pilot use it

[HurtfulPlayer97]

There is ECM equipment that lets you Sensor lock more than one target at a time. The pilot skill is limited to one at a time. Not any pilot can use it. You have to have the specialization. It is the first Tactics one.

[kensw]

If you get a Raven or the ECM equipped Cataphract the Ecm equipment will sensor lock every hostile mech within range no pilot specialty required. These mechs are available after a certain flashpoint
The pilot skill only locks 1 mech

[Flinx]

The flashpoints are after the campaign, as far as I understand it?
I have played only the campagin so far (and a few skirmish against a friend). In the farest run, I was only in mission 4 or 5, so it could not have been the mech but must have been the "normal" ECM mentioned above, that I had in one of the games. But good to know, that there is something like the Raven or the other one.

About the pilot skill;
I know, that the normal sensor-skill is against one Mech only. But I was not 100% sure, that there was no combination like maybe sensor-lock PLUS multitarget (Tac5+Gun5), that would do it.

For planning the skills, the flashpoint is too late to wait for, the equipment may be in the mear future. Here is the point in question: Does the equipment alone would do the job, or is the skill needed.
The anwsers of both of you tell me, the pilot need the skill to use it at all, so I can plan it accordingly.

Thank you.

[kensw]

The equipment does not need any pilot skills
Also the Flashpoints are much better done in career mode - if you do them After the campaign you are so over powered most of them would be trivial

[HurtfulPlayer97]

Originally posted by Flinx:

About the pilot skill;
I know, that the normal sensor-skill is against one Mech only. But I was not 100% sure, that there was no combination like maybe sensor-lock PLUS multitarget (Tac5+Gun5), that would do it.

No, there is no combo of skills that will let a pilot Sensor Lock more than one target.
And to repeat what kensw wrote just to be clear because I was not, The ECM equipment does not require any pilot skill.

[Flinx]

Ok.

[Bob of Mage]

The flashpoint isn't needed to unlock the standalone ECM and active probe parts. However they are super rare to spawn on worlds with the research tag. So if you are really lucky you can find them in the campaign as soon as you are free to explore unaligned space. Also they cost about the same as the mortar, so have a few million in spare cash if you go hunting for them.

[kensw]

Only problem with the store bought ECM and Active probe is that they are 2 separate pieces of equipment (both large and heavy if I remember correctly ) whereas the built in unit is one piece.
When I used the Raven I stripped all the weapons except 1 Med laser and maxed armor and JJ's ( pure ECM machine ) that left you with 3 combat mechs. Adapting to an ECM style of warfare takes time and practice but after awhile I found it quite useful.

[Lord-Knight Fandragon]

I bring more than 1 Sensor lock cuz I have a love affair with Master Tactician. I LOVE going a turn earlier than my opponent. Heavies in the medium phase, assaults in the heavy phase. Its beautiful. Sensor locking on multiple units, so just in case I need to change up my tactics, I can always have a sensor lock active.

[OwlRaider]

Agreed with the above, Master Tactician is hands down the best expert skill which means that all most if not all of my pilots also have sensor lock, whether I need it or not. To be honest 1 sensor lock is plenty and even that one isn't particularly needed most of the time. However on bad maps/spawns sensor lock can come in handy occasionally, and since I already have it anyway because of Master Tactician than well, I use it occasionally...

[danko9696]

Originally posted by OwlRaider:

Agreed with the above, Master Tactician is hands down the best expert skill which means that all most if not all of my pilots also have sensor lock, whether I need it or not.

I've played with four Vanguards for a long time in the past but I find Ace Pilot much better than Master Tactician overall, and moderately better than MT for assaults.

Sensor Lock I think is good in principle but it becomes obsolete the moment you get access to rangefinders, which while not as good for a pure spotter they allow greater flexibility. That enables extremely self-reliant mechs, capable of spotting both for other mechs and for themselves while attacking from long range.

[HurtfulPlayer97]

Originally posted by danko9696:

Originally posted by OwlRaider:

Agreed with the above, Master Tactician is hands down the best expert skill which means that all most if not all of my pilots also have sensor lock, whether I need it or not.

I've played with four Vanguards for a long time in the past but I find Ace Pilot much better than Master Tactician overall, and moderately better than MT for assaults.

Sensor Lock I think is good in principle but it becomes obsolete the moment you get access to rangefinders, which while not as good for a pure spotter they allow greater flexibility. That enables extremely self-reliant mechs, capable of spotting both for other mechs and for themselves while attacking from long range.

Me too. I was a Master Tactician junkie until in my last Career I tried out several Ace Pilot pilots. I am still not 100% converted, but the ability to shoot and then move to where the enemy can't see or hit you is just too good. I will still probably keep a couple Sensor Lock pilots around.
Oh, and people talk about the Marauder as the most powerful thing in the game. No, it is the Rangefinder+++. Holy crap, with that thing you can kill multiple lances and have the enemy not even shoot back. It is grossly overpowered.

[danko9696]

Originally posted by HurtfulPlayer97:

Oh, and people talk about the Marauder as the most powerful thing in the game. No, it is the Rangefinder+++. Holy crap, with that thing you can kill multiple lances and have the enemy not even shoot back. It is grossly overpowered.

Yes, that's very true. You can cheese most missions with a single Locust doing that. But it feels too cheap, like cheating, due to the AI not reacting to you attacking them.

[Lord-Knight Fandragon]

Originally posted by HurtfulPlayer97:

Oh, and people talk about the Marauder as the most powerful thing in the game. No, it is the Rangefinder+++. Holy crap, with that thing you can kill multiple lances and have the enemy not even shoot back. It is grossly overpowered.

That what was doing that? I had a 125m Range finder on one of my mechs and I literally sat there and killed off a good number of the enemy before they even moved....then it was there turn and they didnt move......

[Langkard]

For the long game I just don't find sensor lock that useful. I generally run with 3 lancers and a sharpshooter piloting an LRM boat, so only one pilot has sensor lock. Many of the terrain maps make it pointless to use, since my lancers aren't carrying LRMS. It's only helpful in my play where the terrain allows long range flat shots from a gauss rifle or AC/UAC. I don't use LL's or PPC's, except for the Snub PPC if I can find a nice +++ version of the Snub.