I haven't even played my Locusts yet, so there is no real basis for this question. Anyway, a common point about the Locust is that it doesn't have any specific advantages compared to other lights. I was wondering if giving one of the variants ECM might help make it a bit more comparable to existing lights.
To be honest? After playing the Locust, and seeing other light mechs able to match speed, yes. The Locust is held together by wishes and wallpaper for armor and it simply can't compete with how easy it is to hit one. I have had my Locust shot out from under me more times than I can count right now. It needs SOMETHING to make it viable otherwise, at best it is an underpowered Jenner, and at worst it is an AMS system on legs.
only one variant has something special, and that is the dual AMS. otherwise, they are worse commandos if not played with caution.
At 20 tons, there's so little armor to go around, it really seems like you can be blown apart with a single shot. It really does need something that makes it special. The extra weapon hardpoint (compared to the Commando) is nice, but there doesn't seem to be enough tonnage to make it worthwhile.
I think Locusts do have advantages. They have high and wide mounted hardpoints, lots of them compared to the commando, allowing it to shoot over hills and around corners. I'll have to check the numbers, but I believe they are the most maneuverable mech in the game. These are fun advantages, but sadly their armor is just below the death trap point. If they had 25 ton mech armor I think they would be incredible. It's an interesting and terrible mech that I'm glad is in the game. I think an ECM locust with at least 4 energy hardpoints would be fun. It would keep missile death from happening and would keep an enemy mech from noting your existence at longer range. If bap hadn't been buffed I'd also say it would protect against SSRM boats. But it'll still protect against those boats that stupidly forget their bap.
