[Gozra]

Drones are useful. However if you approach the use of drones as a stragetic weapon it will let you down over and over. If you think of drones as advanced fleet missles then they will not disappoint you. They are expensive but when you are making a long term effort they are worth it. The combined arms aspect are very worthwhile. You can also make several types of drones for instance an anti fighter drone is good for cleaning out enemy held systems of satilltes and fighters.
I think the main factor that makes drones unpopular is that it take a great deal of foresight, and planning, and luck to have them in the right place at the right time. Every single weapons system represented in SEIV is useful in some way or another at any point in any game you play.