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The state of drone use on Alpha accounts.

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Ageless en Tilavine
Center for Advanced Studies
Gallente Federation
#1 - 2016-12-04 15:04:47 UTC
I do not understand the arbitrary limitations on drone use that is currently in place on Alpha accounts. I can respect that fighters and sentries should be limited to Omega accounts since their operation is usually tied to much heavier vessels that are unavailable to Alpha players, same logic applying to tier 2 drone variants but for reasons that tier 2 tech is unavailable to Alphas. However, all other drone types have module counterparts that are available to an Alpha user. The fact that one has to have all the prerequisites in order to even use those drone types makes them inherently more prohibitive than their module counterparts. Lets also not forget that at the current highest tier of combat drones the damage type that is usually most effective in combat is simply not available. This leaves me, a player who wants to enjoy the play style of drones with pretty much nothing to do. Worse yet since I am playing Gallente I feel forced into getting a sub because unlike other factions who have mainly their ship technology gated behind Omega status I have most of the flavor that makes my faction unique being locked behind a paywall.

So in conclusion I would like to petition that drone types of the utility (mining, salvage, e-warfare, logistics) variety and heavy scout drones are added to the Alpha experience. I leave the way these drones are made available up to you of course for balance reasons.
PopeUrban
El Expedicion
Flames of Exile
#2 - 2016-12-05 23:03:42 UTC
I'd like to point out that as a product of tiericide much of the utility of many t1 hulls rests in "utility drone bays" capable of fielding less than a full flight, which can't be well utilized by alphas due to the limitations on which drones they can use.
Bobmon
Imperial Academy
Amarr Empire
#3 - 2016-12-06 14:33:19 UTC
Thanks for your feedback :)

@BobmonEVE - BOBMON FOR CSM 12
Aegon Cadelanne
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#4 - 2017-02-06 11:25:22 UTC
I agree. Why bar us from some of the tech I drones when we are able to get other tech I stuff? Giving us the other tech I drones (especially the heavy drones to make ratting more efficient) won't break the line between an Alpha and Omega.
Mike Azariah
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#5 - 2017-02-09 04:34:43 UTC
I would assume that CCP is a business and they do not want to give you everything but, rather, make you tempted to pay and play the BETTER version.

In that regard they give you a taste of drones. But not all the flavours.

m

Mike Azariah  ┬──┬ ¯|(ツ)/¯
Aegon Cadelanne
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#6 - 2017-02-11 09:51:00 UTC  |  Edited by: Aegon Cadelanne
Mike Azariah wrote:
I would assume that CCP is a business and they do not want to give you everything but, rather, make you tempted to pay and play the BETTER version.

In that regard they give you a taste of drones. But not all the flavours.

m




I think T1 heavies should be available. There's always the argument of CCP tempting players to sub but what many forget is that there are a whole lot of OTHER things that are tempting. No serious alpha player who can grind for PLEX will stay in alpha status. their contribution to CCP would be in the form of PLEX. Lock out alphas on utility drones, fine but at least provide the T1 heavies for some ratting potential, thus isk. It's T1 lol.