Link to full article here Quick summary: Big LRM/lock-on targeting overhaul, including AMS, TAG, NARC. Will update guide shortly. Corsair release. re-release of classic maps that were reworked. (forest colony, frozen city) WHM-IIC buff (among some others!)
If I remember correctly due to quite recent (2-3 months old?) lock-on buff, any ECM in disrupt mode won't increase lock-on time if whoever is attempting to lock an ECMed target has direct LoS. Self-tagging is now redundant to achieve "standard" lock on time.
So... Do Tag or Artemis still reduce missile spread? From patch notes post. (my comments) Direct Line of Sight: Attempting a weapon lock in direct LOS will see a 20% reduction in weapon lock-on time over the previous universal lock-on base time. This rate is a flat rate that applies equally across all ranges provided you have direct LOS to the target. Furthermore, this value cannot be augmented in any way. (So no help from Tag/Narc here) When it comes to TAG, we are rolling the Weapon Lock-On property previously associated with TAG into the core Direct Fire Lock-On mechanics. Because of this, we are eliminating this boost on the base property of the weapon in order to further reinforce its primary role as a team boosting piece of equipment rather than a personal enhancement device. (No idea if Tag spread is changed or not) For NARC, we are only providing it with the boost to spread. This is due to the fact that the base NARC equipment keeps a sensor lock even outside of indirect LOS to the enemy. This is to allow a bit more time to respond to your ‘Mech being NARCed before longer ranged bombardments have a chance to lock onto you. However, locks against you will still have boosted spread potency. (So Narc gets to keep its spread improvement, but not help with indirect locks.)
EDIT: in all seriousness. TAG spread bonus has been moved to LoS event. Since they claim it has been *moved* my guess is there won't be any spread bonus even in the case "TAG but no LoS" (which, IMHO, is dumb). NARC seems like it will "only" provide a spread bonus, regardless of LoS, but no lock-on time bonus as in the previous days EDIT2: So yeah, they removed spread bonus, so the only TAG bonus are ECM counter and... Lock on time, maybe?
I was hoping the "This - This" was referring only to the lock on reduction. English language coupled with the use of pronouns will destroy us all. I'll see if I can find some time tonight to test it. Would be nice if Tag and Artemis were worth consideration even if they are doing half of what they did before for the same tonnage.
Looks like Tag still provides a little bit of spread reduction based on two quick test runs. Warning very low amount of sample data. Spoiler Tag run starting at 3036 missiles 400 meters from Awesome. 200 meters from Atlas starting at 2796 missiles. Run 2 no tag same locations. Starting at 2716 ....takes over 800 LRM damage to kill two assault mechs (largest CT) that are not moving with direct LOS fire from close range (200 - 400 meters) and no AMS...
