Skills:Drones

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Overview

Some training in the Drones category is essential for most PvE and PvP combat. Drones are a useful source of additional DPS, and they are also a key defence against small ships for large ships.

Almost every ship larger than a destroyer has a dronebay. Caldari ships tend to have the smallest dronebays, but even Caldari pilots should aim to be able to field a full flight of five light drones when they start flying battlecruisers.

You can find some particular recommendations for drone skills to train here.

Memory and perception are important in learning how to operate drones.

The following are the skills in the Drones section (in alphabetical order):

Basic

Icon skillbook2.png Drones

Skill at remote controlling drones. Can operate 1 drone per skill level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 1x
Isk.png Price: 30k ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: V
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: None
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: Drone Damage Amplifier; T1, T2 and Faction drones; Scout Drone Operation; Mining Drone Operation
Icon skillbook2.png III required for: Amarr Offensive Systems; Gallente Offensive Systems; Combat Drone Operation
Icon skillbook2.png V required for: Certain heavy drones; Electronic Warfare Drone Interfacing; Drone Sharpshooting; Repair Drone Operation; Heavy Drone Operation; Drone Interfacing; Amarr Drone Specialization; Minimatar Drone Specialization; Gallente Drone Specialization; Caldari_Drone_Specialization
Notes.png Notes: The basic skill of the Drones category. Prerequisite for most other drone skills and an essential skill to train to level V for any combat pilot who flies anything with a 25m3 or larger dronebay.



Icon skillbook2.png Scout Drone Operation

Skill at controlling scout combat drones.


Bonus: drone control range increased by 5000 meters per skill level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: Scout Drone Operation
Isk.png Price: <span style="cursor: help;" title="The skillbook for this skill costs Scout Drone Operation ISK">Scout Drone Operation ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: <span style="cursor: help;" title="Alpha pilot can train and use this skill to at most level Unknown">Unknown
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones I
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: T1 and Faction scout drones
Icon skillbook2.png IV required for: Black Eagle Drone Link Augmentor
Icon skillbook2.png V required for: T2 scout drones
Notes.png Notes: A useful skill, and also the prerequisite for some more advanced drone skills.



Icon skillbook2.png Combat Drone Operation

Skill at controlling scout drones. 5% Bonus to drone damage of light and medium drones per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: Combat Drone Operation
Isk.png Price: <span style="cursor: help;" title="The skillbook for this skill costs Combat Drone Operation ISK">Combat Drone Operation ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: <span style="cursor: help;" title="Alpha pilot can train and use this skill to at most level Unknown">Unknown
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones III
Icon skillbook2.png III required for: Drone Link Augmentor I
Icon skillbook2.png V required for: Drone Link Augmentor II
Notes.png Notes: A 5% drone damage bonus is not to be sniffed at, and most combat pilots should train this skill to IV.



Icon skillbook2.png Drone Interfacing

Allows a captain to better maintain its drones. 20% bonus to drone damage, drone mining yield per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 5x
Isk.png Price: 750k ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: III
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones V
Icon skillbook2.png IV required for: Sentry Drone Interfacing
Icon skillbook2.png V required for: Fighters; Amarr Carrier; Caldari Carrier; Gallente Carrier; Minimatar Carrier; Advanced Drone Interfacing
Notes.png Notes: Each level of Drone Interfacing is like having another drone. Excellent support skill.


Advanced

Icon skillbook2.png Heavy Drone Operation

Skill at controlling heavy combat drones. 5% Bonus to heavy drone damage per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 5x
Isk.png Price: 500k ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: III
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones V
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: T1 and Faction heavy drones
Icon skillbook2.png V required for: T2 heavy drones
Notes.png Notes: Not all races have subcapital ships with big enough dronebays to justify using heavy drones, but Gallente battleship pilots, Amarr pilots who fly the Armageddon and Minmatar pilots who fly the Typhoon should train for them.



Icon skillbook2.png Advanced Drone Interfacing

Allows the use of the Drone Control Unit module. One extra module can be fitted per skill level. Each fitted Drone Control Unit allows the operation of one extra drone.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: Advanced Drone Interfacing
Isk.png Price: <span style="cursor: help;" title="The skillbook for this skill costs Advanced Drone Interfacing ISK">Advanced Drone Interfacing ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: <span style="cursor: help;" title="Alpha pilot can train and use this skill to at most level Unknown">Unknown
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drone Interfacing V; Drones V
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: Drone Control Unit I
Notes.png Notes:



Icon skillbook2.png Electronic Warfare Drone Interfacing

Allows operation of electronic warfare drones. 3000m drone control range bonus per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: Electronic Warfare Drone Interfacing
Isk.png Price: <span style="cursor: help;" title="The skillbook for this skill costs Electronic Warfare Drone Interfacing ISK">Electronic Warfare Drone Interfacing ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: <span style="cursor: help;" title="Alpha pilot can train and use this skill to at most level Unknown">Unknown
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones V; Electronic Warfare IV; Electronics I
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: Small electronic warfare drones
Icon skillbook2.png II required for: Medium electronic warfare drones
Icon skillbook2.png III required for: Large electronic warfare drones
Notes.png Notes: The drone control range bonus applies to all types of drones, not just electronic warfare drones. ECM drones are a useful ace-in-the-hole in PvP.



Icon skillbook2.png Sentry Drone Interfacing

Skill at controlling sentry drones. 5% bonus to Sentry Drone damage per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 5x
Isk.png Price: 650k ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: Alpha pilot can not train this skill.
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drone Interfacing IV Drones V; Drone Sharpshooting IV
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: T1 and Faction sentry drones
Icon skillbook2.png V required for: T2 sentry drones
Notes.png Notes: Sentry drones are specialised, and large, and so like heavy drones they're mostly of interest to pilots who can fly ships with 125m3 or more of space in their dronebay. Level V lets you use T2 sentry drones.


Support

Icon skillbook2.png Drone Navigation

Skill at controlling drones at high speeds. 5% increase in drone MicroWarpdrive speed per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 1x
Isk.png Price: 100k ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: IV
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones IV
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: Light webifier drone
Icon skillbook2.png II required for: Medium webifier drone
Icon skillbook2.png III required for: Drone Navigation Computer I; Heavy webifier drone
Icon skillbook2.png IV required for: Drone Navigateion Computer II
Notes.png Notes: Faster drones means they get to the target and deal damage, and then return to you when you need them back, quicker. High levels in Drone Navigation also help your drones chase fast PvP targets like interceptors. However, high levels may make your drones more prone to 'overshooting' targets because of their greater speed.



Icon skillbook2.png Drone Durability

Increases drone hit points. 5% bonus to drone shield, armor and hull hit points per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 5x
Isk.png Price: 100k ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: IV
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones IV
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: Repair Drone Operation
Notes.png Notes: Your drones are usually only attacked if you mismanage PvE aggro, or attack a frigate or another droneboat with them in PvP, so Durability may be a lower priority than some of the damage skills. But it's still an important drone support skill.



Icon skillbook2.png Drone Sharpshooting

Increases drone optimal range.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 1x
Isk.png Price: 150k ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: IV
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones V
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: T1 and Faction omnidirectional tracking links
Icon skillbook2.png IV required for: Sentry Drone Interfacing
Icon skillbook2.png V required for: T2 omnidirectional tracking link
Notes.png Notes: 5% optimal range per level. Possibly not so important for normal combat drones, which can move around on their own. If you rely on long-ranged, stationary sentry drones then this skill will help them.


Racial Drone Specialization

Icon skillbook2.png Amarr Drone Specialization

Specialization in the operation of advanced Amarr drones. 2% bonus to advanced Amarr drone damage per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 5x
Isk.png Price: 2-4M ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: II
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones V
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: Light T2 and Faction Amarr drones
Icon skillbook2.png II required for: Medium T2 and Faction Amarr drones
Icon skillbook2.png IV required for: Heavy T2 and Faction Amarr drones
Notes.png Notes: This skill is not seeded in NPC stations so prices will vary widely.



Icon skillbook2.png Caldari Drone Specialization

Specialization in the operation of advanced Caldari drones. 2% bonus to advanced Caldari drone damage per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 5x
Isk.png Price: 3-9M ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: II
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones V
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: Light T2 and Faction Caldari drones
Icon skillbook2.png II required for: Medium T2 and Faction Caldari drones
Icon skillbook2.png IV required for: Heavy T2 and Faction Caldari Drones
Notes.png Notes: This skill is not seeded in NPC stations so prices will vary widely.



Icon skillbook2.png Gallente Drone Specialization

Specialization in the operation of advanced Gallente drones. 2% bonus to advanced Gallente drone damage per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 5x
Isk.png Price: 3-9M ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: II
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones V
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: Light T2 and Faction Gallente drones
Icon skillbook2.png II required for: Medium T2 and Faction Gallente drones
Icon skillbook2.png IV required for: Heavy T2 and Faction Gallente drones
Notes.png Notes: This skill is not seeded in NPC stations so prices will vary widely. Gallente drones are very popular because they have good damage modifiers, and a damage type (thermal) which is reliably useful against most PvE and PvP enemies.



Icon skillbook2.png Minmatar Drone Specialization

Specialization in the operation of advanced Minmatar drones. 2% bonus to advanced Minmatar drone damage per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 5x
Isk.png Price: 3-9M ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: II
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones V
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: Light T2 and Faction Minmatar drones
Icon skillbook2.png II required for: Medium T2 and Faction Minmatar drones
Icon skillbook2.png IV required for: Heavy T2 and Faction Minmatar drones
Notes.png Notes: This skill is not seeded in NPC stations so prices will vary widely. Minmatar drones are very popular for PvP because they are the fastest drones and although they don't do as much raw damage as Gallente drones they do explosive damage, which hits most armor tanks hard.


Non-combat drones

Icon skillbook2.png Mining Drone Operation

Skill at controlling mining drones. 5% Bonus to mining drone yield per skill level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 2x
Isk.png Price: 50k ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: Alpha pilot can not train this skill.
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones I; Mining II
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: T1 mining drones
Icon skillbook2.png V required for: T2 mining drones
Notes.png Notes: A useful support skill for miners.



Icon skillbook2.png Repair Drone Operation

Allows operation of logistic drones. 5% increased repair amount per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 3x
Isk.png Price: 200k ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: II
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones V Drone Durability I
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: Light T1 maintenance bots
Icon skillbook2.png II required for: Medium T1 maintenance bots
Icon skillbook2.png V required for: T2 light and medium maintenance bots
Notes.png Notes: Repair drones can be a useful augmentation to a remote repair effort, but don't expect them to perform nearly as well as a properly fitted and piloted logistics ship. Remember that you can't order your drones to repair yourself.



Icon skillbook2.png Salvage Drone Operation

Skill at controlling salvage drones. 2% increased salvage chance per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 4x
Isk.png Price: 500k ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: Alpha pilot can not train this skill.
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drones IV; Salvaging II; Mechanics III; Survey III; Electronics I
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: Salvage Drone I
Notes.png Notes: Salvage drones are a relatively new addition to the selection of drones. They salvage loots and return and salvage to your cargo hold.


Fighters

Icon skillbook2.png Fighters

Allows operation of fighter drones. 20% increase in fighter damage per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: 12x
Isk.png Price: 75M ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: Alpha pilot can not train this skill.
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Drone InterfacingV V; Drones V; Leadership V
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: Fighter craft
Icon skillbook2.png V required for: Fighter Bombers
Notes.png Notes: Only carriers and supercarriers can use fighters.



Icon skillbook2.png Fighter Bombers

Allows operation of fighter bomber drones. 20% increase in fighter bomber damage per level.
Implants.png Attributes: Memory.pngPerception.png
Multiplier.png Multiplier: Fighter Bombers
Isk.png Price: <span style="cursor: help;" title="The skillbook for this skill costs Fighter Bombers ISK">Fighter Bombers ISK
Alpha.png Alpha max level: <span style="cursor: help;" title="Alpha pilot can train and use this skill to at most level Unknown">Unknown
Icon skillbook2.png Prerequisites: Fighters V; Drone Interfacing V; Drones V; Leadership V
Icon skillbook2.png I required for: Fighter bomber craft
Notes.png Notes: Only of interest to supercarrier pilots, since only supercarriers can use fighter bombers.