ECM Basics - The How and Where

This guide is a brief explanation of how the ECM is used and where one can use it, and is aimed toward players who have not used the ECM before or are unsure of the basic mechanics behind its use.

Intro

The ECM is an Electronic Counter-Measure.

This piece of equipment has the potential for two very different abilities: Jammer and Feedback. Both will be explained in this guide.

The ECM is primarily used for stealth or for accessing locations or loot hidden behind electronic locks (doors, ATMs, and there have been reports that there may be electronic safes in the future). However, they can also be upgraded for combat purposes to immobilize nearby law enforcers or convert/disable the Mobile SWAT Turrets for a short time. ECMs can be placed on almost any surface, including walls and ceilings, and cannot be damaged by explosives or gunfire.

*1) Note that ECMs can open ATMs without any skills upgrading it, however it must be placed directly on the screen of the ATM (using ECM icon as an interaction, not an equipment placement; this is similar to using C4 interactions rather than placing a trip mine). Opening an ATM will use up your ECM, and you will not be able to use the Jammer or Feedback functions on this particular device.

*2) With the inclusion of the Mobile SWAT Turrets, the ECM has an added function of converting these turrets for the duration of the Jammer effect. While an ECM is being employed as a Jammer, any/all Mobile SWAT Turrets on the map will turn their fire on law enforcers; this is indicated by their red laser turning green. Once the Jammer effect expires, the Turrets are disabled for a few seconds (laser blinks yellow) before they once again become active as a threat (red laser).
*Keep in mind that the ECM can be placed anywhere for this to happen. You do not need to place the ECM directly on SWAT vans to convert them.

The ECM Jammer, and its Upgrades

Without putting additional skill points into Ghost to upgrade this equipment item, the ECM comes with its basic Jammer function used to disable cameras, convert police turrets, and prevent civilians and guards from using cell phones/radios to call the police. The Jammer function begins as soon as the ECM is placed, will last 20sec, and has a range that covers the entire map.


- ECM Specialist
Basic - Allows you to carry 2 ECMs
Aced - Increases the duration of each ECM's Jammer by 5sec, and now when you place an ECM any guards you kill will have their pager delayed until there is no longer an ECM blocking them. This means you can chain several ECMs to keep the pagers from going off, but eventually the ECMs will stop and you will need to answer ALL pagers from guards you killed while the ECM(s) were working.
--- This will not delay a pager that has already started to go off. This function of the ECM is not actually a countermeasure, but rather a preventative measure.
--- Acing this skill will also increase the duration of each ECM's Feedback by 25% (+3.75-5.00sec). In order to benefit from this boost to Feedback, you will need to train Basic ECM Feedback.

- ECM Overdrive
Basic - Increases the duration of each ECM's Jammer by 5sec
Aced - ECMs can now be used to bypass security doors with electronic locks.

The ECM Feedback, and its Upgrades

The ECM can be upgraded for combat purposes, adding the Feedback function. This function immobilizes nearby law enforcers, allowing you to escape or finish off a group of officers**. This is toggled on each ECM and emits a high-frequency pulse that causes any police in Line-of-Sight to reel in pain (presumably by negatively affecting their radio headsets) for 15-20sec once activated by the user. Once Feedback has expired on a particular ECM device, the ability cannot be used on that same device again without acing the "ECM Feedback" skill.
**Note that firing at immobilized police can cause them to stop reeling and start shooting at you. They may then commence reeling in pain, if the Feedback pulse is still running.

The Feedback can be activated at any time after the ECM is deployed. Each ECM's Feedback is on a separate timer from its Jammer, so you may activate the Feedback while the Jammer is still active or long after the Jammer has expired. The range of Feedback is roughly the size of the Jewelry Store front lobby; if placed directly in the center, it should cover the entire room.


- ECM Specialist
This skill was already covered above, so I'll skip it but ask you to remember that the Feedback can be upgraded through Ace ECM Specialist.

- ECM Feedback
Basic - Enables use of ECM Feedback. Interact with any ECM (interact speed is 2sec) to turn on its Feedback function for 15-20sec.
Aced - You can now activate Feedback instantly. Each ECM's Feedback duration is increased by 25% (+3.75-5.00sec), and every 4 minutes your deployed ECM will recharge its Feedback ability. Once recharged, you must interact with the ECM again to reactivate the Feedback ability.

Electronic Doors

Bank Heists (1x Security Room)
Big Oil, d2 (3x Server Rooms)
Firestarter, d2 (1x Server Room)
Firestarter, d3 (1x Security Room; 1x Roof Power)
Framing Frame, d1 (1x Security Room)
Framing Frame, d3 (3x Server Room)
Art Gallery (1x Security Room)
Nightclub (up to 3x Office Security Doors; up to 1x Basement Security Door)
Train Heist (6x Train Cars, 2 doors each)
*Hoxton Breakout, d2 (5-7?... 1x Med Room, 2x Upstairs access, 3x Objective Doors)
The Big Bank (1x Server Room)

*It should be noted that ECMs can be used in "Hoxton Breakout, d2" to open doors but NOT to close shutter doors. Only keycards can do this.

ATMs

Bank Heist (2)
Big Oil, d1 (8)
Diamond Store (2)
Firestarters, d3 (2)
Four Store (0-2)
Mallcrashers (8)
GO Bank (2)
Escape: Street (2)
Armored Transport: Crossroads (5)
Hoxton Breakout (1-2)
Alesso Heist (3+)


Please let me know if I've missed any ATMs or E-Doors.
Thanks!

[Titanic Stuff, And More!]

does the pocket ECM block cameras?

[0ptimistPrime (the Gray)]

Imo, when learning stealth, ECMs can be very, very useful. If you're already pretty experienced, sentry trip mines could be more useful, or even ammo bags (if you bring your own saw for Bank deposit boxes). I've never found a need for Body Bag deployable, but some may find it useful.

[0ptimistPrime (the Gray)]

As of the last time I really played (November '15), opened ATMs are not noticed. In almost all maps, open doors are not noticed either. A couple exceptions (doors that *are* noticed by guards) would be the server room in Big Bank, and one of the doors in the back room of Golden Grin Casino. But I can't recall off the top of my head if either of these doors were E-Doors or normal lockpick doors (my list of E-Doors suggests Big Bank is, at least).

[Dazkid33]

I've been debating extensive use of ECMs in stealth. Are ATMs noticed if in stealth, or a door opened with an ECM?

[0ptimistPrime (the Gray)]

Hopefully with the inclusion of ECMs temporarily hijacking/disabling SWAT Turrets, the stigma against players who choose to bring ECMs for loud missions (previously for Feedback only) will wash out somewhat.

[Marinesrule1980]

I'm not sure if this has already been said, but you only get one ECM in basic and only 1 more in level 4.

[Semi']

What a great work

[WeskerMo]

Sub!

[jiji]

Just a note, ECMs cover the entire map no matter what.

[luobo]

thx man