[Master Belisarius]

Originally posted by Krsqk:
Hmmm...I begin to see I may have misinterpreted the file. I orginally had no drone carriers but set the "% To Keep As Cargo" at 0%. I assumed that meant the AI wouldn't hold any in reserve for defense, but would launch them all.
From what you're saying, that's the percent the AI doesn't devote to Drone Carriers.

Yes. In my view, the % for Drones works like the % for satellites.

Originally posted by Krsqk:

Are drone carriers used in fleets the same way as fighter carriers--i.e., they won't launch their drones on their own, only as part of a fleet attack?

Exactly. And the worst thing it's that as you know, the Drones can't be recovered after launch.

Originally posted by Krsqk:

I don't want Drone Carriers in my fleets; I just want to provide an additional nuisance for players to have to deal with. Are you saying I should get rid of the Drone Carrier bases and set "% for Cargo" to 100%?

Well, I never tested the % with 100%. In my test games, the Pyrochette used Drones in the way you said (at least some Versions ago!).
But the AI doesn't use the Drones very well... You know that usually attack a ship/planet with a lone Drone, doesn't work very well... but the AI doesn't!

Originally posted by Krsqk:

Two questions then. Why would the planet not launch the drones before—did it mark them as "Not for Planet Consumption" and idly wait for a non-existent Drone Carrier to come claim them?

Good question! But have no answer.

Originally posted by Krsqk:

And are the base Drone Carriers not launching their drones because they aren't part of an attack fleet?

Don't think so. Maybe it was changed some patches ago, but I saw many times the Pyrochette (my only AI that used Drones in large numbers) launching drones from their planets.
Must confess really disliked this behavior... because as told you, many times sent lone drones to attack, or simply the Drone was over the Planet doing nothing until die due lack of supplies.

[ March 06, 2004, 13:40: Message edited by: Master Belisarius ]