Missions & Complexes

Hi all,

Is it actually worth while using the specific damage type drones in L4 missions (and all missions generally)?

(e.g using thermal drones on thermal weak ships etc)

I have been reading a lot of information floating around, debating this question but no definite answer.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the answer,

I would like some more details as to why. (from anyone who wishes to divulge)

Regards

Fighting the Sansha in Missions pretty much requires Acolytes (EM).

YES, damage types of drones is important.

Anyone saying different is a forum troll.

I might take a few flavors of drones to my next l4 mission and find out how much time is saved by using the relevant damage type, as there already seems to be conflicting answers...

Yay first asshat of the thread.

I am new and I am asking an honest question....

Well I appreciate the honest advice, I just didn't appreciate the unpleasant comment "This thread is phail indeed."

Basic mathematics is so hard to grasp as it seems.

On most Sansha rats the difference in resistances between em/th is 10% ( that includes cruisers, destroyers, battleships and battle cruisers ). Elite rats have even smaller difference.
Thermal drones have much higher damage mod than em drones.

Now go and do some math exercises.
If you need help with basic additions and divisions don't be afraid to ask. I will gladly help you with those. Currently helping my little nephew with this stuff and I don't think he will mind some "adult" company.

It's only about damage mod and rat resists.
Drone damage mod is modified by your skills ( CDO, DI, racial spec etc ), ship bonuses and rigs ( for sentry drones ).
Another thing you could take into account is travel time but it makes things unnecessarily overcomplicated so it's generally better to ignore it.

From my own experience :
Thermal drones are usually the best ones. Exp drones ( Minmatar ) seems to be better against Angel Cartel rats.
When using sentries : Gardes/Bouncers for closer - mid ranges. Wardens for long range.

If you want to check specific rat resistances then this is a very good and up to date site : EveRatStats

If you are using drone boat then just load up different drones and see for yourself what type is better for your needs.

Cheers - Answers my questions perfectly. Thumbs up!

Gallante drones seem to show the best DPS numbers and have the right 2ndary damage type for almost all missions but I think Hobgobs are wrong most of the time because when you are shooting an enemy that has bin chosen to shoot with heat damage as a 2ndary damage type, you will infact run into atleast 50% damage resist for heat.

Compared to dealing primary damage, you will run into 0 to 30% resist, so chosing a primary damage type is indeed very important.

as a previous poster said, when you are given a mission and you notice the mission is against Sansha forces, their resistances to EM damage are closer to zero then to 50, hence Amarr drones will greatly increase efficiency.

I mean, its like using Hardeners for specific missions or Certain types of ammo to deal the correct damage, everything adds up and if you do it right you will have far greater DPS then just playing it safe.

I believe the Gallante drones are good for 2 situations
1 being PvE, where you dont know what your doing so you play it safe until you formulate a pattarn and but the specific drones to deal the damage type you need to be dealing.

2.PvP, if you think your enemy frigates will not be shiny speed boats like dramiels and the sort, but like rifters or Punishers, this is where you want the most DPS regardless of drone speed or tracking, otherwise in PvP its usually best to play it safe and use mini drones as they are the fastest with a very acceptable tracking speed against everything except a Dramiel or Daredevil with a pilot fitting high grade Halo set.

Never the less, iv done a little bit of homework and I may not be as good as 90% of the elite mission runners here, but I know for small and large drones, EM and Kinetic damage should always be on your mind when running missions, I can personally speak for Mini space, Kinetic damage is almost always king, 70% of the time and EM damage is demanded about 20% of the time, Explosive damage takes the other 10%.

Medium size drones, I ended up using very rarely and I found using large and small drones to be the most effective for Typhoon and Maelstrom class battleships in Mini space.

The final verdict:
Gallante small drones are rumored to be better against certain elite frigates, but I personally think, shooting the damage type relevant to the mission will do no less then equal DPS and have more DPS against all the other ships, thereforce Gallante drones are best to use when you are playing it safe or when you are entering a predictable PvP fight.