Player Features and Ideas Discussion

You're conveniently forgetting that other weapons systems can require a dozen or more slots to fit them (8 guns + 3 damage mods + TC/TE).

The modules I listed don't fire/spew missiles iirc. A ship may not have turret/launcher hardpoints just like it may not have a dronebay.



That's it 6 upgrade modules at maximum and even less for launchers! Beyond that it's just a waste of slots.

Also:

1) Drones do not deliver damage instantly.

2) Drones may be destroyed. Sometimes even easily with smartbombs.

3) Drones do not deliver as much damage as guns/missiles.

Only droneboats overcome these drawbacks albeit partially. To increase the viability of drones further we come to 4(4*3=12) different modules.



If only my Myrmidon could achieve 550 dps with drones only, or a Dominix reaching 800 dps with drones flying around at 3-4km/s I could consider them as a fullfledged weapon system. But they are not and probably shouldn't be.




Dude you will have to use multiples of them. Also turrets for example use only 2 or even 1(Damage+TC/TE) at a given time. despite being a complete weapon system unlike drones.

ah guns are what 1 mid and 2 low plus the gun its self?

Also dose the new mod work on sentrys? and dose it have a stack penalty with the riggs?

Turret mods come in 2 types, with 3 variations: those that increase DPS (heat sinks, gryos, ballistic control) through a damage and ROF mod: one module increases its weapon system DPS by about 23% (more if using a faction mod)

Then you have mods that increase range and applied DPS: tracking computers and Tracking enhancers.

to increase drone range, you need a drone link augmentor - performing one of the functions of a TE/TC, albeit, a fairly large boost, considering drone range is going to be 57km for most ships with good drone skills but not perfect lvl 5s, and it increases it by 15km, so over 30% increase.
Of course, Autocannons also get a 30% increase in range from the range mods...

To increase applied damage, you need a navigation computer (to get your drones there faster) and then a omni tracking link.

You need 3 modules to do provide the function of one TE or TC.

One TE/TC will increase your range, and increase your tracking (the TE doesn't increase your tracking all that much, while the TC can only provide an equal range increase at the expense of the tracking boost, but you rarely need range and tracking at the same time, so you can switch intelligently)

To be fair, I'd say we need something like a scripted "drone interfacing computer" that can perform multiple functions.

Personally, I'd have a module that boosts either drone speed, or drone damage, or both without a script loaded (call it something like Remote drone energy projector, and say your ship is powering the drone's engines/weapons)

Then have the "interfacing computer" that can provide tracking data, or control data to extend range, depending on the script.


However, the story is different with sentires that don't move. In that case the omni tracking link does boost the drone's ability to apply damage at range (for the other drones, their range is essentially the control range), and it improves tracking.
-although most sentrie's already have enough range that it is drone control range which limits them, unless you drop them and AB/MWD to your target.
Also, on frigates and cruisers, the drone control range is often far in excess of targetting range, not so on BS's, maybe BC/BS hulls should get the drone bonus of the imicus (5% control range per level, utterly useless on that ship), as part of their composite drone bonus

Now we just need a module that improves damage and ROF, and sentries will be fine

choices are fine, its just that the other weapons systems let you pick what you want, and get bonus stuff too.

ie, I can fit a link and get a roughly 30% bonus to drone range, and nothing else....

But if I fly a projectile gunboat, I fit a TE, and get a similar 30% bonus to range, and a 9.5% tracking boost on top of that
Or I fit a TC, and can switch between the 30% bonus to range, or a 30% bonus to tracking.

And I can choose *in the middle of combat* by simply changing the script on one module.
I need 3 drone modules to achieve a similar effect with non sentries (omni tracking link+ link augmentor+ nav computer)

This is true, but the reason it is true is because most of these mods suck and have stupidly high fitting requirements. The exception is the Omnidirectional and the SDA. The DLA is also good on a 5-gun Dominix.

A good armor Ishtar fit uses 2-3 omnidirectional tracking comps and 2 SDA rigs. Gardes that hit at 50km+ are awesome.

"Also, to attack any target, even with sentries, the target must be within your drone control range - IMO is is BS.
The drone control range should be how far away my drones can go from my ship, and still work.

If a target is 65km away, and my sentry drone sitting 1.5 km away has a 65km optimal+ 25km falloff, I shouldn't need a link augmenter to get it to start shooting."

This I agree with.

The other stuff...meh

Honestly as a heavy drone user, I don't have an issue with the current or upcoming modules.

I am confused about this part of your OP however.



Honestly what difference does it make that the myrmidon and dominix don't have utility highs? Would you be happier if CCP forced you into using high slots by making them utility slots instead of turret slots?

Here is an example, on say, the dominix (or myrmidon really) where I prefer the separate modules.

In PVE, I will usually use at least one DLA. But in PVP, ranges are often much shorter, so in a PVP fit I can put all guns up top, or guns and neuts, or whatever, since I don't need the DLA's bonus.

Similarily, in PVE I usually use a sentry domi. But in PVP its heavies. So in PVE I will use an omni in the mid, but in PVP I may use a DNC. With your proposal however, I would still have to give up my high slot to get the DNC bonus. In PVP I'd rather have that high slot for a gun or neut on my domi. And I have plenty of extra mids to throw in a DNC.

A nIce quotation that proves drones to be inferior compared to other weapon systems.

This.

PvP fits on droneboats don't generally use drone upgrade mods with the possible exception of sentry sniping. I for one will happily lose, for example, the DCU on a Vexor to stick in the new drone damage mod