How do you use Drones?

[narf poit chez BOOM]

It's simply in the same class as double negatives. If you say that Canada does not not export beavers, you're saying it does export beavers. Each negative you add reverses the polarity on the True/False axis.

Or, for a math example, -1 x -1 = 1. -1 x -1 x -1 = -1.

It's really quite simple.

[Atrocities]

yes

But back on topic, I have tried using drones for various things and found them to be a waste of time and resources. They are easily shot down, have limited range, and are a pain in the arse to use. So again, I state that they are more than useless, they are uber useless.

[Power Man]

I have used them a few times as colony killers.
If I am sharing a system with another player I will build some planet attack drones on all my planets. Then when War happens, and it usually does, I launch all the drones and attack his planets.
This works best against those AI's that tend to have lots of little colonies. They usually have no defences and can be cleaned out in a hurry.
I get rid of the enemy in the rear without having to send in a fleet.

[Atrocities]

The thing is they are great if the planet has no defenses. The bad thing is, most planets have defenses early on so this negates the need for planet killing drones. In fact drones should be hard as hell to kill, cheap, and deadly, but they are not because then they would become the optimal weapon of choice for many planets. And lets face it, what fun is it to log onto your PBW games only to give orders to a bunch of drones?

[PvK]

Drones are good as auxiliary weapons, rather than as the backbone of a fleet.

A bunch of drones can overwhelm PD and tip the scales of a major battle. Your enemy can't see how many drones you have with your fleet, and so may likely be surprised by them.

The zero maintenance is also in their favor when an empire is at peace and can't maintain more ships.

PvK

[Slick]

yeah, but only once since you can't recover them. I sure wish that spaceyard ships could build units (but nothing else) while moving. This would let you replenish your units while on the run.

Slick.

[Suicide Junkie]

Disposable repair drones!
Fill 'em with repair bays, and you can E-repair your fleet.

[douglas]

Too bad that's only possible in mods.

[Kamog]

I haven't used drones very much at all. I find them kind of awkward to use because it's a one-shot unit that you launch and can't recover.

[PvK]

Ya, drones have many disadvantages. However they do have a few unique strengths, and those can sometimes be used effectively.

PvK