A few questions from a newbie

[Alneyan]

Thanks to both of you, then drones may be useful, especially at a warp point in the defending side, or to make some diVersions, or... Well, a few annoying tactics. (I am always playing without Tactical Combat, so that's why they are less effective for me)

I forgot the "Combat Replay" option, now I can see the designs of these annoying enemy satellites, and I have the pleasure to see how poorly my fleet done in the Last combat.

[Phoenix-D]

"Thanks to both of you, then drones may be useful, especially at a warp point in the defending side, or to make some diVersions, or... Well, a few annoying tactics. (I am always playing without Tactical Combat, so that's why they are less effective for me) "

Actually..drones are always automated. Even in tactical, all you can do is watch.

[Alneyan]

Originally posted by Phoenix-D:
Actually..drones are always automated. Even in tactical, all you can do is watch.

Sorry, I meant to say that in Tactical you can order the drone carriers to launch their drones or not, while in Strategical it will happen automatically. (Or I didn't find the setting to tweak) About drones carriers, as drones can warp, is there any point in using this kind of ships?

[Arkcon]

Originally posted by Alneyan:
About drones carriers, as drones can warp, is there any point in using this kind of ships?

Drones consume supplies, even if they just sit in space. You can fit them with fewer engines, solar panels, supply storage -- then they survive longer, esp in binary and trinary systems.

But, adding supply components reduces space for warheads. So drone carriers are used to get close before launch.

[Alneyan]

Originally posted by Arkcon:

quote:

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Originally posted by Alneyan:
About drones carriers, as drones can warp, is there any point in using this kind of ships?

Drones consume supplies, even if they just sit in space. You can fit them with fewer engines, solar panels, supply storage -- then they survive longer, esp in binary and trinary systems.

But, adding supply components reduces space for warheads. So drone carriers are used to get close before launch.

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Drones are using supplies while they are not moving? Thanks for the warning.

My Last newbie question about drones: is a drone really powerful against a warship, if it manages to ram its target? As drones are rather small devices, the formula to calculate the damage might be disadvantageous for them. Obviously, the drone isn't exactly going to survive the engagement.

[General Woundwort]

Originally posted by Alneyan:
My Last newbie question about drones: is a drone really powerful against a warship, if it manages to ram its target? As drones are rather small devices, the formula to calculate the damage might be disadvantageous for them. Obviously, the drone isn't exactly going to survive the engagement.

That's why you pack as many warheads on a drone as possible. When the drone connects, the warheads go off. Get good enough warhead tech, and the results can be pretty spectacular. Check the tech data files in the game for the full story on damage, tech level availability, etc.

[Arkcon]

Originally posted by Alneyan:

My Last newbie question about drones: is a drone really powerful against a warship, if it manages to ram its target? As drones are rather small devices, the formula to calculate the damage might be disadvantageous for them. Obviously, the drone isn't exactly going to survive the engagement.

The drone warhead has incredible damage yield. And you could fit 2, with fewer than max engines. And drones get a speed bonus (side effect more supply usage).

If the drone isn't destroyed by lack of supplies, if point defence doesn't knock it out, if the target isn't heavily shielded ... drones will take a large target out.

If you add supply and solar panels, shields and armor, shield depleters ... drones survive better. But now you have less space for warheads. All that stuff won't even leave space for a warhead on a small drone. So it's ram damage is purely the strength of those components.