Drone and Anti-Drone Tactics?

Q · #1 February 6th, 2002, 12:31 PM

I think this is a classic example where you could make everyone happy by making a line in the settings text file:

drones can be give move to/warp orders: true/false

Please!

Mephisto · #2 February 6th, 2002, 12:53 PM

I guess Q is right. :-)

geoschmo · #3 February 6th, 2002, 05:20 PM

Let's keep this thread on track.

If you have a complaint about how drones function currently, make it. If you have a suggestion about how to make them "better", let us hear it.

No more arguments about definitions or semantics of whether it's "bug" or a "feature". No more arguments about whether or not it was promised and not delivered.

Keep your head, maintain your cool, say your piece.

Geoschmo

mac5732 · #4 February 6th, 2002, 08:25 PM

If this has been mentioned before, I apoligize. In relation to Drone Defense, are ftrs going to be capable of shooting them down? Ftrs would make a good anit-drone force and would be a cheap way of doing it. Also give the ftrs a little more use at the higher turns when they are not as effective. I have not downloaded demo as I'm waiting for the GOLD, but I'm getting real itchy to start playing, so I might after all.

Also, do the drones have formations? if so defensive tactics/formation may be looked into depending on the numbers involved.

just some ideas mac

[ 06 February 2002: Message edited by: mac5732 ]

PvK · #5 February 6th, 2002, 09:42 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Magnum357:
I'm sorry, but I disagree. How do you know that navigating to a Warp point is an "Easy" thing? It could be quite difficult. Also, maybe special equipment is needed to make the jump through a Warp Point which could not be possible in a Drone (too small for example). ...

We know because they can do it as a matter of course if the target they are tracking is visible to any satellite, ship, or colony in the drone's empire. They can already pass through warp points - that's not the issue. The issue is whether you should be able to give them orders to move to a location - they already have the ability to warp.

PvK

PvK · #6 February 6th, 2002, 09:54 PM

It sounds like if there are really people who don't want drones to be able to warp (which would be a NEW limit), then perhaps two lines in settings.txt would be ideal:

Drones can be given move/warp orders := true/false
Drones can pass through warp points := true/false

Of course, if the new limit on warping were set to false, then the drones should not accept target or destination orders that aren't in the same system that they are.

Mac's questions:

Can fighters shoot down drones? Yes, as long as they have weapons that can hit them (no torps or missiles), and an appropriate strategy.

Do drones have formations? I don't think drones can be added to fleets, so no. The best you can do is launch them and target them so they move in a horde. This helps a fleet of ships to be able to just chew them up with beam weapons and PD.

PvK

mac5732 · #7 February 6th, 2002, 10:31 PM

PvK, would it be beneficial to give the drones some tactical formations besides the option of the horde/mass movement? This possibly could make them a little harder to take out by defense ships/ftrs, leaving at least the chance of some/few to get thru the defenses no matter how much aa you put out, similiar to Kamkazies in WWII, some always managed to get thru and do damage. This in turn would cause or create some new tactics/strategies, I just don't know if 1. AI could handle it, and 2 if it is even workable
or is worth looking into. I'm not a programmer or modder, but working on it (modding)

just some ideas mac