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):
- Advanced Drone Interfacing - Allows fitting of Drone Control Units.
- Amarr Drone Specialization - Unlocks T2 Amarr drones.
- Caldari Drone Specialization - Unlocks T2 Caldari drones.
- Combat Drone Operation - Damage bonus to light and medium Drones.
- Drone Durability - Bonus to drone shield, armor, structure.
- Drone Interfacing - Bonus to drone damage and mining amount.
- Drone Navigation - Bonus to drone MicroWarpDrive speed
- Drone Sharpshooting - Bonus to drone optimal range.
- Drones - Allows control of drones.
- Electronic Warfare Drone Interfacing - Allows control of EWAR drones, Bonus to drone control range.
- Fighter Bombers - Allows use of Fighter Bomber Drones.
- Fighters - Allows use of Fighter Drones.
- Gallente Drone Specialization - Unlocks T2 Gallente drones.
- Heavy Drone Operation - Bonus to Heavy Drone damage.
- Mining Drone Operation - Bonus to Mining Drone Yield.
- Minmatar Drone Specialization - Unlocks T2 Minmatar drones.
- Repair Drone Operation - Allows use of Repair Drones. Bonus to Repair Drone amount.
- Salvage Drone Operation - Allows use of Salvage Drones. Bonus to drone salvage chance.
- Scout Drone Operation - Bonus to drone control range.
- Sentry Drone Interfacing - Allows use of Sentry Drones. Bonus to sentry drone damage.
Basic
Drones
Skill at remote controlling drones. Can operate 1 drone per skill level.
 Attributes:
|
 
|
 Multiplier:
|
1x |
 Price:
|
30k ISK |
 Alpha max level:
|
V |
 Prerequisites:
|
None |
| I required for:
|
Drone Damage Amplifier; T1, T2 and Faction drones; Scout Drone Operation; Mining Drone Operation |
| III required for:
|
Amarr Offensive Systems; Gallente Offensive Systems; Combat Drone Operation |
| 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:
|
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. |
Scout Drone Operation
Skill at controlling scout combat drones.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
Scout Drone Operation |
| Price:
|
<span style="cursor: help;" title="The skillbook for this skill costs Scout Drone Operation ISK">Scout Drone Operation ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
<span style="cursor: help;" title="Alpha pilot can train and use this skill to at most level Unknown">Unknown |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones I |
| I required for:
|
T1 and Faction scout drones |
| IV required for:
|
Black Eagle Drone Link Augmentor |
| V required for:
|
T2 scout drones |
| Notes:
|
A useful skill, and also the prerequisite for some more advanced drone skills. |
Combat Drone Operation
Skill at controlling scout drones. 5% Bonus to drone damage of light and medium drones per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
Combat Drone Operation |
| Price:
|
<span style="cursor: help;" title="The skillbook for this skill costs Combat Drone Operation ISK">Combat Drone Operation ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
<span style="cursor: help;" title="Alpha pilot can train and use this skill to at most level Unknown">Unknown |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones III |
| III required for:
|
Drone Link Augmentor I |
| V required for:
|
Drone Link Augmentor II |
| Notes:
|
A 5% drone damage bonus is not to be sniffed at, and most combat pilots should train this skill to IV. |
Drone Interfacing
Allows a captain to better maintain its drones. 20% bonus to drone damage, drone mining yield per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
5x |
| Price:
|
750k ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
III |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones V |
| IV required for:
|
Sentry Drone Interfacing |
| V required for:
|
Fighters; Amarr Carrier; Caldari Carrier; Gallente Carrier; Minimatar Carrier; Advanced Drone Interfacing |
| Notes:
|
Each level of Drone Interfacing is like having another drone. Excellent support skill. |
Advanced
Heavy Drone Operation
Skill at controlling heavy combat drones. 5% Bonus to heavy drone damage per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
5x |
| Price:
|
500k ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
III |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones V |
| I required for:
|
T1 and Faction heavy drones |
| V required for:
|
T2 heavy drones |
| 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. |
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.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
Advanced Drone Interfacing |
| Price:
|
<span style="cursor: help;" title="The skillbook for this skill costs Advanced Drone Interfacing ISK">Advanced Drone Interfacing ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
<span style="cursor: help;" title="Alpha pilot can train and use this skill to at most level Unknown">Unknown |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drone Interfacing V; Drones V |
| I required for:
|
Drone Control Unit I |
| Notes:
|
Only carriers and supercarriers can be fitted with Drone Control Units. |
Electronic Warfare Drone Interfacing
Allows operation of electronic warfare drones. 3000m drone control range bonus per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
Electronic Warfare Drone Interfacing |
| Price:
|
<span style="cursor: help;" title="The skillbook for this skill costs Electronic Warfare Drone Interfacing ISK">Electronic Warfare Drone Interfacing ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
<span style="cursor: help;" title="Alpha pilot can train and use this skill to at most level Unknown">Unknown |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones V; Electronic Warfare IV; CPU management I |
| I required for:
|
Small electronic warfare drones |
| II required for:
|
Medium electronic warfare drones |
| III required for:
|
Large electronic warfare drones |
| 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. |
Sentry Drone Interfacing
Skill at controlling sentry drones. 5% bonus to Sentry Drone damage per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
5x |
| Price:
|
650k ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
Alpha pilot can not train this skill. |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drone Interfacing IV Drones V; Drone Sharpshooting IV |
| I required for:
|
T1 and Faction sentry drones |
| V required for:
|
T2 sentry drones |
| 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
Drone Navigation
Skill at controlling drones at high speeds. 5% increase in drone MicroWarpdrive speed per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
1x |
| Price:
|
100k ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
IV |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones IV |
| I required for:
|
Light webifier drone |
| II required for:
|
Medium webifier drone |
| III required for:
|
Drone Navigation Computer I; Heavy webifier drone |
| IV required for:
|
Drone Navigateion Computer II |
| 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. |
Drone Durability
Increases drone hit points. 5% bonus to drone shield, armor and hull hit points per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
5x |
| Price:
|
100k ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
IV |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones IV |
| I required for:
|
Repair Drone Operation |
| 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. |
Drone Sharpshooting
Increases drone optimal range.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
1x |
| Price:
|
150k ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
IV |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones V |
| I required for:
|
T1 and Faction omnidirectional tracking links |
| IV required for:
|
Sentry Drone Interfacing |
| V required for:
|
T2 omnidirectional tracking link |
| 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
Amarr Drone Specialization
Specialization in the operation of advanced Amarr drones. 2% bonus to advanced Amarr drone damage per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
5x |
| Price:
|
2–4M ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
II |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones V |
| I required for:
|
Light T2 and Faction Amarr drones |
| II required for:
|
Medium T2 and Faction Amarr drones |
| IV required for:
|
Heavy T2 and Faction Amarr drones |
| Notes:
|
This skill is not seeded in NPC stations so prices will vary widely. |
Caldari Drone Specialization
Specialization in the operation of advanced Caldari drones. 2% bonus to advanced Caldari drone damage per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
5x |
| Price:
|
3–9M ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
II |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones V |
| I required for:
|
Light T2 and Faction Caldari drones |
| II required for:
|
Medium T2 and Faction Caldari drones |
| IV required for:
|
Heavy T2 and Faction Caldari Drones |
| Notes:
|
This skill is not seeded in NPC stations so prices will vary widely. |
Gallente Drone Specialization
Specialization in the operation of advanced Gallente drones. 2% bonus to advanced Gallente drone damage per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
5x |
| Price:
|
3–9M ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
II |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones V |
| I required for:
|
Light T2 and Faction Gallente drones |
| II required for:
|
Medium T2 and Faction Gallente drones |
| IV required for:
|
Heavy T2 and Faction Gallente drones |
| 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. |
Minmatar Drone Specialization
Specialization in the operation of advanced Minmatar drones. 2% bonus to advanced Minmatar drone damage per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
5x |
| Price:
|
3–9M ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
II |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones V |
| I required for:
|
Light T2 and Faction Minmatar drones |
| II required for:
|
Medium T2 and Faction Minmatar drones |
| IV required for:
|
Heavy T2 and Faction Minmatar drones |
| 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
Mining Drone Operation
Skill at controlling mining drones. 5% Bonus to mining drone yield per skill level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
2x |
| Price:
|
50k ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
Alpha pilot can not train this skill. |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones I; Mining II |
| I required for:
|
T1 mining drones |
| V required for:
|
T2 mining drones |
| Notes:
|
A useful support skill for miners. |
Repair Drone Operation
Allows operation of logistic drones. 5% increased repair amount per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
3x |
| Price:
|
200k ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
II |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones V Drone Durability I |
| I required for:
|
Light T1 maintenance bots |
| II required for:
|
Medium T1 maintenance bots |
| V required for:
|
T2 light and medium maintenance bots |
| 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. |
Salvage Drone Operation
Skill at controlling salvage drones. 2% increased salvage chance per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
4x |
| Price:
|
500k ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
Alpha pilot can not train this skill. |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drones IV; Salvaging II; Mechanics III; Survey III; CPU management I |
| I required for:
|
Salvage Drone I |
| 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
Fighters
Allows operation of fighter drones. 20% increase in fighter damage per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
12x |
| Price:
|
75M ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
Alpha pilot can not train this skill. |
| Prerequisites:
|
Drone Interfacing V V; Drones V; Leadership V |
| I required for:
|
Fighter craft |
| V required for:
|
Fighter Bombers |
| Notes:
|
Only carriers and supercarriers can use fighters. |
Fighter Bombers
Allows operation of fighter bomber drones. 20% increase in fighter bomber damage per level.
| Attributes:
|
|
| Multiplier:
|
Fighter Bombers |
| Price:
|
<span style="cursor: help;" title="The skillbook for this skill costs Fighter Bombers ISK">Fighter Bombers ISK |
| Alpha max level:
|
<span style="cursor: help;" title="Alpha pilot can train and use this skill to at most level Unknown">Unknown |
| Prerequisites:
|
Fighters V; Drone Interfacing V; Drones V; Leadership V |
| I required for:
|
Fighter bomber craft |
| Notes:
|
Only of interest to supercarrier pilots, since only supercarriers can use fighter bombers. |