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EWar is helping drones

Author
Anneliese Pollard
University of Caille
Gallente Federation
#1 - 2012-12-05 16:09:24 UTC
I know everyone is reeling from the AI changes in missions, but try fitting an Ewar module (painter, webber, etc). Use that in your missions and see if it makes a difference.

For me, using a painter has kept my drones from being targeted. I haven't lost a drone in about 10 missions. I've also played around with sending my heavies out to long-distance to see if that mattered. As long as you're actively using your Ewar, they should be fine.

There's been a few posts here and there, but I figured I would make a new topic so no one has to spend time searching for it.

I know the concerns about losing more tank for this, but the damage bonuses we got in Retribution for our drones is noticeable and does make a difference.

Anyway, gl all.
Atossa Exior
Midnight Conclave
#2 - 2012-12-05 17:16:32 UTC
Confirmed. I used a TP on the test server (three weeks ago) and once my little hobbies killed the frigs the rats never bothered to aggro my drones (hammers and sentries).

As another note, rats don't target logi drones at all based on the test server and living in a WH for the past 4 months.
Aquavolt
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#3 - 2012-12-05 17:53:32 UTC
So it seems using EWAR causes the targeting priorities of the Sleeper AI to shift to your own ship.

Is this only affected by typical EWAR? Or do webs have the same effect as well?
Anneliese Pollard
University of Caille
Gallente Federation
#4 - 2012-12-05 18:01:39 UTC
Aquavolt wrote:
So it seems using EWAR causes the targeting priorities of the Sleeper AI to shift to your own ship.

Is this only affected by typical EWAR? Or do webs have the same effect as well?


Webs work - but I use a TP.
Haifisch Zahne
Hraka Manufacture GmbH
#5 - 2012-12-05 21:58:34 UTC
I use a TP. Always. My lights are getting targeted and eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner-- and snacks.

So, unless you mean, kill all the frigates first using said TP... before sending out drones, and then send out your drones (mediums and sentries, you write), this information is false, misleading, and deadly.

What use are light drones if not to take care of frigates that might have you scrammed and warp disrupted? And, what will you do with cruise missiles (or torpedoes god forbid!) against frigates?

Goodbye, L4 missions.

Eve subscription cancelled; renewal not planned.
Akuma Tsukai
State Protectorate
Caldari State
#6 - 2012-12-05 23:50:19 UTC
Anneliese Pollard wrote:
I know everyone is reeling from the AI changes in missions, but try fitting an Ewar module (painter, webber, etc). Use that in your missions and see if it makes a difference.

For me, using a painter has kept my drones from being targeted. I haven't lost a drone in about 10 missions. I've also played around with sending my heavies out to long-distance to see if that mattered. As long as you're actively using your Ewar, they should be fine.

There's been a few posts here and there, but I figured I would make a new topic so no one has to spend time searching for it.

I know the concerns about losing more tank for this, but the damage bonuses we got in Retribution for our drones is noticeable and does make a difference.

Anyway, gl all.


And we got yet another theory crafter. It took me 2 missions to loose 12 drones while using TP all the time. Enjoy your dream world.
Tauranon
Weeesearch
CAStabouts
#7 - 2012-12-06 00:07:23 UTC
If the dominix can outdps each individual drone, and is having to run its rep, then it will generally "hold" aggro if there are no frigates.

Frigates have higher priorities for smaller targets and therefore I presume apply a ratio to dps from big targets vs small targets, and they probably apply a ratio to ewar too.

Also frigates still easily sniped at range with sentries, and (excepting EM dealing opponents), sentries are generally robust enough to tank a frigate or two with their natural shield regen indefinately.
decaneos
Casalt Corp
CAStabouts
#8 - 2012-12-06 00:16:23 UTC
I'm having no issues with my drones other than what i did before, yes sometimes ships switch, but i just burn them down first. the only real issue Ive noticed is with light drones, npcs really don't like those little buggers and will attack them on mass.

To solve this issue i just use my heavys to kill the frigs which the npcs have no desire to attack, i dont use anyform of EW so i dont belive this is the solution. just understanding that light drones are no good anymore.
Anneliese Pollard
University of Caille
Gallente Federation
#9 - 2012-12-06 00:43:15 UTC
Akuma Tsukai wrote:
And we got yet another theory crafter. It took me 2 missions to loose 12 drones while using TP all the time. Enjoy your dream world.


I was trying to be helpful. I first reserved my comment until I actually had a chance to see for myself what the patch brought. Running a rattlesnake with 3 omnis, yes, the drones were getting targeted, but I still didn't lose them. After switching to 2 Omnis and a TP I had zero problems.

I did the blockade last night. The frigs that I could not hit with sentries were killed with my lights. I only released my lights when they came within 10 km of me. I've always done that regardless of patch. When they were dead (and no, they did not switch) I retracted, then continued with sentries. If any cruisers or BSes came to a range where they were ineffective, I pulled those for heavies. NPCs did not target them.

I'm sorry you guys are having different results. I'm not. Granted I haven't hit every mission possible, but I think 10 missions in 1 night was enough to adapt for me.

Haifisch Zahne
Hraka Manufacture GmbH
#10 - 2012-12-06 02:30:03 UTC
Your "magic" solution is fundamentally: use drones appropriately and correctly.

Well, those of us who are not flying a Rattlesnake (for now until this mess of Retribution is cleared up, the Rattlesnake *was* my preferred ship) and can only fit light drones because of drone bay restrictions are royally hosed.


Anneliese Pollard wrote:
Akuma Tsukai wrote:
And we got yet another theory crafter. It took me 2 missions to loose 12 drones while using TP all the time. Enjoy your dream world.


I was trying to be helpful. I first reserved my comment until I actually had a chance to see for myself what the patch brought. Running a rattlesnake with 3 omnis, yes, the drones were getting targeted, but I still didn't lose them. After switching to 2 Omnis and a TP I had zero problems.

I did the blockade last night. The frigs that I could not hit with sentries were killed with my lights. I only released my lights when they came within 10 km of me. I've always done that regardless of patch. When they were dead (and no, they did not switch) I retracted, then continued with sentries. If any cruisers or BSes came to a range where they were ineffective, I pulled those for heavies. NPCs did not target them.

I'm sorry you guys are having different results. I'm not. Granted I haven't hit every mission possible, but I think 10 missions in 1 night was enough to adapt for me.


dexington
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#11 - 2012-12-06 03:51:14 UTC
What is the chance of cruisers and up attacking light drones?

Any thing small then battlecruiser i would often kill with light drones anyways, unless in excessive numbers or very closely grouped, when using T2 drones against cruiser ehp i feel the flight time vs. kill time is much the same.

Would starting with frigs/dessies make the cruiser and up rats mostly ignore the light drones?

When using light drones, always make sure to kill the dessies first, especially important when flying ships that don't give bonus to drones ehp, 2 or more dessies will kill T2 light drones really fast.

I'm a relatively respectable citizen. Multiple felon perhaps, but certainly not dangerous.