Warfare & Tactics

I'm replying to this because I am curious about the answer as well. I was thinking about maybe using a sentry drone to counter station games, gatecamps, or just add crazy dps on a belt.

I will not discuss PvE, because if you are using drones in PvE you are doing it wrong (unless you are in a carrier blitzing 5's)

As for PvP:

Using drones as a primary damage system, is really a horrible idea. Drones are slow, can be killed, and really don't have that great of tracking. The best drones to use are warrior II's because they can actually do something to light tackle, and perhaps Valk II For when you are fighting cruisers / BS out side of scram / web range. I would also like to mention that ec-300 / ec-600 are broken as hell, and if you can fit a flight of them do so.

All of the other drones I have not listed, are worthless.

However to asnwer your question effectively:

Heavy drones- will do little to no damage to a target that is not scrammed and webbed. (It better not have an AB)

Sentry: Again for PvP (outside of slowcat fleets) Sentries are horrible, and can easily be killed / or out tracked. They are very underwhelming. Especially when you consider that all of that space could be filled with EC-300/600 Warriors / Valks.

Just to reply, it's the use of drones strictly for PvP.

So, PvP people, what are the "depends" that exist out there that dictate which type of drone (Heavy vs Sentry). I am appealing to the wisdom of experiences past that have ocurred involving drone warfare. ^^ 

Read it, much obliged.

I honestly dont have much experience with Sentries, excepting a few Carrier engagements where we dropped Sentries to blap Falcons or Arazu's.
The trouble with Sentries imo, is that they aren't mobile. (duh) So if you need to be mobile, you leave them/lose them or spend a lot of time dropping, targeting, recalling, dropping, etc.
And, most fights are very mobile.

SO: I like Heavies much better. They do great against BC and bigger targets. Primarily they should be used in BS fights. 4 flights of Ogre II's = about 1200 DPS on the field, and people really don't shoot drones in those kind of engagements.

As for other drones, I like ecm drones personally, over mediums or lights, in *most* other situations

As far as pve is concerned I use sentry drones for rats that like to park out about 25+ (BS), And anything like (Angels) they like to get right upon you, kill all the riff rafe first (frigs / Cruiser / BC) the when BS are circling you at close range release the Ogres and watch them destroy BS, (this assuming you can tank them BS), which...I do.

I am not sure that you will have from the above posts.

Drone mechanics and the Interface has it's flaws but it is important to look at the combat platforms available and match the drones to them and the type of PV, some of them are arguably among the best in class.

In medium size ships such as the Vexor type, myrm and prophecy then for PVP you will want heavies (unless you are fitting for large fleet work).

Here you will need full tackle scram and web to lock the opponent down, this also means you can remain in close proximity in case you need to recall them. As mentioned this is where the combat platform is important, these ships can be very tough or very high damage and thus brawl really well.

At battleship levels most of the advice holds true but they often have the capacity to carry other drone types and a flight of sentries can be useful.

Even without drone tracking mods a Domi can drop longer range drones to snipe and yet still be fit to brawl. Micrjump drives can be used to reposition but also move you onto an enemy. Drone control range is from your ship to the target so sentries dropped at range 100km away can engage a ship right next to you. Want to switch drones? then disconnect from them you can reconnect as long as you have bandwidth despite the distance.

Finally drones are ammo and can be a pain but treat them as such. Need to warp out, then leave them don't wait. Carry a few extra and refit at stations especially at battleship level.

I have a big problem flying drone boats / non kiting setups in PvP. Drons have a really bad AI system, they are slow, and whats worse is it take syou such al ong time to switch between differnt drone types. Throw in a hurried warp off, and now you are leaving drones on field. They can be killed, and are just generally a head ache. A heavy neut domi is scary- but ast long as you stay outside 25k- is no threat.

Don't get me wrong the navy vexor is really a step in the right direction. I feel that if you really wanted to try and make pvp work in for a drone boat, navy vexor is head and shoulders above every other ship (besides carriers). before you ask- yes I feel taht the navy vexor is far more usefull and viable in PvP than a dominix, in almost all situations.

Sentries are great if you use them well. They have the tracking of mega pulse lasers so if you put them down a bit away from the fight they will hit great.

Heavies however i loathe with a passion.. Basically don't use them until you have your target webbed and scrammed.. Watching your ogres conga-line after a ******* drake is depressing as ****.

You use sentries for targets that are far, and heavies when brawling in scram range. A PVP Ishtar can pop things from 70km as well as at 0.

Heavy and medium drones are slow, and not meant for sending out to distances. Drones have stellar tracking, especially on a Dominix. While the drone UI is terrible, learn to use key shortcuts and take advantage of Abandon/reconnect to drones.