Drones: Magic Cheat?

Fyron · #1 March 30th, 2002, 07:58 PM

Yeah, drones are useless. Now, if you could give them the "move to" order, then they might have a few uses. Or, if they could turn into satellites (or maybe just stop in one spot and act like a satellite), then maybe they could be used as remotely deployable satellites, so that you could set them up at warp points or other planets without having to use satellite launching ships.

PvK · #2 March 30th, 2002, 09:04 PM

I wouldn't say they're "useless", but the satellite mode is a cool idea, I think.

I think the main efficient uses of drones are as surprise weapons (can be hidden from human opponents in ways that ships can't), and as relatively maintenance-free build-up arsenals. Depending on your enemies' technology and designs, I think they can be effective in several situations.

Another use is in concert with fighters and missiles - drones can soak up a lot of PD and weapon fire, making the other systems more effective.

They are quite expensive, but I think that helps keep them from becoming too powerful.

PvK

dmm · #3 April 1st, 2002, 07:19 PM

Geoshmo and others point out that a mine field will wipe out your drones. Anyone considered using (cheapest possible) drones purposefully as "minesweepers?" Probably not cost-effective but, since colonies can build them without shipyards, you may be able to field lots of them quickly enough to overwhelm even a maxed-out minefield.

PvK · #4 April 1st, 2002, 07:48 PM

Drones will be a lot more expensive than the mines they would detonate - the engines are one of the most expensive parts. It might be a little more effective if you piled armor on the drones, but still it'd be pretty wasteful. I tend to think minesweeping components should be allowed on drones, but that would require programming work that might better be directed elsewhere.

PvK

adder_inf · #5 April 1st, 2002, 10:35 PM

Just add solar panels to turn them into sats.

Fyron · #6 April 1st, 2002, 10:53 PM

That doesn't do what I was suggesting. You'd still have to use a ship to move them to different planets or to warp points.

Phoenix-D · #7 April 2nd, 2002, 12:01 AM

Not if they still have an engine. Stick one engine and enough solar panels to overcome their natural supply usage.

Problem is, unless you're in a binary or trinary system, it's not viable.

"I tend to think minesweeping components should be allowed on drones, but that would require programming work that might better be directed elsewhere."

Why code work?

"Vehicle Type := Ship\Base"

That's from the minesweeper entry in components.txt. Change it to allow drones, and it might work. Don't have time to test it right now myself.

Phoenix-D