[mac5732]

The use of Drones, in my opinion, depends on the current game you are playing. In some games, mabye they're not worth it, in another one just the opposite. an Example, in my lst 2 games of gold, un-modded, I didn't use drones, however the AI did pound some of my ships and planets in the early stages but after I increased my PD's they were less affective. However, in my current game, TDM-Modpack (my lst tdm game), I am currently building drone carriers and drone starbases as the Toran are pushing extremly hard and I found that a good tactic against their waves of DN's is starbases, fleet, and drones. Yes they are expensive but they build faster then a DN, and are excellent in masses for defense of Wormholes.
You can employ large numbers cheaper then large numbers of ships. They also use up the AI's Point defense allowing you to then launch fighters or seekers against their ships. The AI has also launced against my planets as well. They are also good to have on planets, especially those with high cargo space to launch and pick off enemy ships that are in ones or twos going thru your system, this does free up those desperatly needed ships for your main fronts. I guess It depends on the game and where in the game you are and what the AI or human players are using against you. Like I said earlier it really depends on the game that you are currently playing. Some games more use, others little use... Up to you

just some ideas mac