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Which drone skill next?
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Zornia Estemaire
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#1 - 2012-06-27 19:57:47 UTC
Tomorrow I will be finishing Drone Interfacing V. I have both Heavy Drone Operation and Sentry Drone Interfacing at lvl IV and would like to take one of them to lvl V next. Which one would be better to have at lvl V? I mostly use a Domi for lvl 4 missioning and am considering getting a Ishtar for exploring once I get my drone skills up to par. I don't want to do both of them right now because I need to get back to my Gunnery skills. Thanks for any advise.
Zhilia Mann
Tide Way Out Productions
#2 - 2012-06-27 20:17:33 UTC
I use sentries way, way more often than I use heavies. The exception (somewhat) is against Angels, but even then kiting with sentries is often a better idea. If you have to choose only one, I'd go that way hands down.
Crrrazy Ivan
University of Caille
Gallente Federation
#3 - 2012-06-27 20:38:10 UTC
Considering you mentioned that you run Level 4's and plan to do exploration then Sentries is the way to go.
Flakey Foont
#4 - 2012-06-27 22:46:31 UTC
Sentries hands down for a Domi.
Galadriel Vasquez
Project Omega Industries
Fraternity.
#5 - 2012-06-29 17:35:05 UTC
100% Sentries - deploy and orbit. Omnidirectional Tracking Links for the little fellas to help them dish out hurt more.

T1 are fine for this - but if you can afford it the Fed Navy One. There is a T2 one but I think you need Drone Sharpshooting 5....

P.S - you will be instapopping all Frigs with 3 Omnis....

I have tin foil hat trained to 5.
Linna Excel
Center for Advanced Studies
Gallente Federation
#6 - 2012-06-29 20:18:32 UTC
If you are flying a domi, ishtar, or maybe a gila do sentries for T2 drones.

I can has blogging skills!
Ireland VonVicious
Vicious Trading Company
#7 - 2012-06-30 06:01:17 UTC
Before the new drone dmg mod I'd have said sentries like the rest in this thread.

I have all drone skills maxed and I now much heavies over sentries.

That mod has changed the drone game.

Just make sure to do both and you'll love it in the end. Blink
Dorian Wylde
Imperial Academy
Amarr Empire
#8 - 2012-06-30 22:26:09 UTC
Ireland VonVicious wrote:
Before the new drone dmg mod I'd have said sentries like the rest in this thread.

I have all drone skills maxed and I now much heavies over sentries.

That mod has changed the drone game.

Just make sure to do both and you'll love it in the end. Blink



Nothing much has really changed. Heavies have always been better DPS at the cost of needing to get in range. Shield ishtar with heavies is a great choice, just like sentries with a domi. It's all in what you plan to do with it, and whether you can afford the slightly pimp-fit ishtar.

I particularly enjoy heavies on my typhoon too :D

At any rate, for missions I reccomend T2 sentries first. It's the easier option for the moment, and will let you do the majority of what you want to do. Get heavies later when you can afford the fit and the time to perfect the flying skills needed to do a proper heavy ishtar.
Idicious Lightbane
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#9 - 2012-07-01 19:57:04 UTC
I'd go with Sentries first, no flight time increases your actual dps substantially.
RavenPaine
RaVeN Alliance
#10 - 2012-07-01 20:45:04 UTC  |  Edited by: RavenPaine
I go against the grain on this. No offence anyone. Don't flame me to tears!

I like Heavies a LOT more than Sentries. I remember getting them to V and what an EPIC skill accomplishment it felt like.
I have both btw.

The thing I do not like about Sentries is: You have to sit by them or return to them or abandon them.
The term 'no flight time' also applies to your ship when you use them.

Side Note: In PvE I use Light Drones way more. CNR and Lights. So most of my Big Drone issues are about PvP.
I do love Sentries from a Carrier. Falcon buster ftw.

PS. I have never had to pay for a T2 Sentry Drone. People abandon them and I have scooped dozens, maybe hundreds.
Silverdaddy
Ourapheh Holdings
#11 - 2012-07-08 07:38:37 UTC
Aside from the two skills you have mentioned, electronic warfare drone interfacing is also pretty sweet. A lot of people seem to miss the fact that it also boosts your drone control range by 3km/level for all drone types.

Just mentioning it in case you haven't noticed this aspect of the skill before...

Otherwise, I'd say sentries first to Level 5.

The problem with slavery is that only half of the manacles are visible. The Holder, supposed master, is equally bound by the gilded chains of privilege and wealth.
Tau Cabalander
Retirement Retreat
Working Stiffs
#12 - 2012-07-08 08:38:19 UTC
Jumping on the sentry bandwagon, and just wanted to add that you shouldn't be deceived by the numbers in EFT when it comes to T2 sentries.

I was expecting "meh" performance at under 500 DPS, and was amazed how T2 sentries seemed to tear apart just about anything I set them on. The seem to be far superior at hitting targets of all sizes, making them far more effective than the DPS number would lead one to believe.

P.S. The Rattlesnake is awesome. My alt has 5 days left on Gallente Battleship 5 (already has Caldari Battleship 5). I liked the Rattlesnake so much I maxed both skills for max tank and damage.
Batelle
Federal Navy Academy
#13 - 2012-07-10 13:18:25 UTC
sentries are king, even though heavies gained a little ground in comparison with the addition of drone damage augmenters.

"**CCP is changing policy, and has asked that we discontinue the bonus credit program after November 7th. So until then, enjoy a super-bonus of 1B Blink Credit for each 60-day GTC you buy!"**

Never forget.
Ford Chicago
Ziz Zag Ziggurat
#14 - 2012-07-11 03:45:47 UTC
If you're using a drone boat effectively for PVE, you should be using sentry drones. T2 Sentry drones are miles (kilometers) ahead of Heavies in terms of dealing effective damage. T2 Sentries have +20% optimal range and +20% damage vs their T1 counterparts. There is no comparison between effectively using Sentry vs Heavy in PVE, Sentry always wins.

In PVP it is a different story, but only slightly different.

Ford Chicago