In the Astrox universe, ECM is something that all pilots have learned to deal with. Most ships have no resistance to ECM, therefore a number of passive modules are available to help boost your chances against and ECM attack.

There are 4 main types of ECM, and each one has the ability to effect a target ship in a specialized way. Learning how to use ECM, will also help you learn to defend against it.

ECM Attacks
The ECM attack can be a deciding factor in any combat situation. Without the ability to navigate, lock targets, and attack those targets, a ship isn’t really much more than a floating steel coffin. Each ECM weapon uses a significant amount of energy, and their strength is based individually on each weapon type.

When you are attacked by an ECM weapon. a few things happens behind the scenes. The weapon itself has a chance of success, based on the individual module stats. Some will be much stronger than others, thus achieving a high rate of success. This chance of success is offset by the ship’s ECM resistance. If the ECM is stronger than the ship’s resistance, success is determined and the ECM effects take place. If the ECM fails, it will load up some more energy and try – try again.

ECM Defense
To defend against ECM attacks, your ship will need to be fitted with specialized modules that help to defend the electronic systems of your ship. Some ships have special abilities that help to increase the ship’s defense against ECM.

You can also train skills that will help to teach you how to mitigate these attacks with minimal effects. These skills will also effect the resistance of any ship you pilot.

Magnetic Web
This type off attack uses specialized magnetic coils that interfere with standard propulsion systems. By targeting these engines, one can render the target ship paralyzed. Unable to move or escape, the target ship becomes motionless and vulnerable to robbery, and destruction.

Target Scrambler
This ECM attack will focus on the ship’s targeting computer system. If the attack is successful, all targets that have been stored will be purged. This can be quite frustrating when attempting to bring your guns to bare. This attack will force the target to rescan each of their targets before continuing the attack.

Sensors Jammer
The tactical sensors make things easier for the pilot to see what is around them. The sensors jammer will confuse the ship’s sensors, rendering the tactical sensors useless until it can automatically be rebooted. The time is takes for reboot is based on the strength of the ECM attack and the ship’s resistance.

Module Disrupt
This ECM attack targets a ship’s active modules. When successful, this attack will attempt to shut down each of the active modules that are currently running on a the ship. This will force the target to activate each module, and assign it’s targets.