The problem isn't with dropships themselves (bear with me here)...

The problem is with SMALL TURRETS on Dropships.

When you're airborne, you're EITHER an easy target OR outside your own range. They need a range buff - at least when mounted on aircraft. Dropships can't defend themselves - or their passengers - effectively, and THAT makes them more frail than the numbers (and their ability to survive hits that LAVs can't) would suggest.

I don't see the issue with dropship survivability. A properly fit one tanks a couple of forgegun shots, shrugs off tons of swarms and fits an AB to get out if AV gets too strong. If it weren't for their inability to hurt people they'd be OP, to be honest.

Dropships have wings?

Since when?

More seriously though, they're TRANSPORTS, not ATTACK HELICOPTERS.

There was at least one early (pre-UE, I think) video with fighters, so that's a possibility. So are gunships and bombers.

There have been some really good comments and suggestions here. I for one think that the blasters need more range big time. To really be effective at times I have to drop low for my gunners to really be able to hit anything and then they are exposed to hits from small arms fire.

As for the swarms, I have really been able to take them now in my Grim b/c I am rolling with 4400+ in the armor department. But even with all of that the forges still give me a real problem...and I know I am not the only one.

I was flying yesterday and another pilot was in a Myron decked out in shields. A forge gunner hit him and rocked him into the side of a building in one shot....down he went.

yeah i switched over to grims because they get better survivability against forge guns, myrons die way to quickly to them.

............ I'm going to wait for you to re-read my post and then reflect on how silly your response was.

More seriously though, they're TRANSPORTS, not ATTACK HELICOPTERS.

They should at least live long enough to effectively do what they're supposed to.

And for that record, when the blazing hell have Attack Helicopters ever been more resilient than Transport Helicopters?

Well lets take a look on the PG/CPU of the Myron and the eryx:
(the second number is the CPU/PG with skill bonuses)

myron:
CPU: 255/318
PG: 400/500

Eryx:
CPU: 225/281
PG: 270/337

now the difference between those two:
(again with and without skills added)
CPU: 30/37
PG 130/163

now lets take a look how much a mobile CRU needs:
CPU: 20
PG: 160

You can see that the PG/CPU penalty on the Eryx is not the same as a normal CRU would require on a Myron. However you have plenty of room for fitting on a eryx. I would pick the Eryx for corp matches cause you can fit it better then a myron which has a CRU. You have to think of it that you can put a additional shield reistance on the eryx while still having a mobile spawn point. On the other point of view you can focus the myron mainly on tanking. Like put more shield extenders on it. You can say that the eryx is worse then the myron. They both have their uses on the game. Most people still think the myron is the better choice due to the infamous dropship-missile launcher combo.

The problem here is that the PRO is less versatile AND has less PG/CPU than the STD version, even though they cost more in both ISK and SP. You lose more PG/CPU on the PRO than a CRU costs, for the bonus of getting a CRU. The funny part is, most good pilots who would actually spend the time and resources on getting into a PRO dropship don't need a CRU in the first place... let alone WANT one. If you need a ride, I can pick you up in a few seconds wherever you spawn and take you where you need to go. I want to have CONTROL over who is in my ship.

With the current design, it is literally IMPOSSIBLE, to make an Eryx that is as resilient as a Myron. Cab you imagine if the prototype HEAVY suit or HAVs were WEAKER than STD or ADV versions?

[quote=Baal Roo]

..

But in all honesty, has anyone even thought of the technology behind the Mobile CRU? I mean, the normal CRU is a -building-, where the hell are they housing this thing that it can pump out clone after clone on that little bitty vehicle?

Firstly, here's the bit where I replied to your post:


Silly? Yeah. It kind of was. THAT WAS THE POINT. Thanks for noticing.

And back onto the main topic (thus being serious again)...

The current Dropship models have been designed with the TRANSPORT side of things emphasised more heavily. A CRU is a good benefit when you're meant to be operating as a transport. Also, in the real world, the balance between anti-air weapons and aircraft is pretty much one-hit-kill on both transports and gunships. Either one can potentially survive a surface-to-air missile, but neither is likely to stay in the air long after taking a hit.

Transport = ability to carry passengers. THAT is the core consideration for the role. Speed and durability are secondary to that aspect. I'm expecting that a fighter or other smaller aircraft will be even MORE fragile than the Dropship, but maybe at that point Dropships will get the buff they sort of need in that regard.

We've already moved on from that point Drommy.

No, the Proto Dropship ISN'T worse than the Advanced - if you plan on fitting a CRU, it's better. If you don't, it can't fill OTHER roles as effectively. It's more specialised into the role it was meant to be designed for.

We need EITHER a new variant of Prototype Dropship without the CRU built in (even if it takes a hit on the PG/CPU in comparison) or the current one to have a CRU equip BONUS instead of the built-in CRU.

...And we need Gunships that aren't designed with CRUs in mind.

And the whole problem with flipping Dropships could use another look as well. They're way too unstable under fire at present.

Force Recon (Dropship)
Name: Prometheus
Hull: Grimsnes
Race: Gallente
Class: Force Recon
Module Slots: 8
Crew: 6
PG: 300
CPU: 500
Combat / Special Abilities:
Can use special cloak modules
Bonuses:
20% bonus to sensor dampener range
20% bonus to sight range per level

I would hardly say it's better... That miniscule HP bonus isn't worth the amount of ISK you're paying... The mobile CRU still has the CPU/PG taken out of the fit itself and worse yet you can't even remove it...

We've already moved on from that point Drommy.

No, the Proto Dropship ISN'T worse than the Advanced - if you plan on fitting a CRU, it's better. If you don't, it can't fill OTHER roles as effectively. It's more specialised into the role it was meant to be designed for.

We need EITHER a new variant of Prototype Dropship without the CRU built in (even if it takes a hit on the PG/CPU in comparison) or the current one to have a CRU equip BONUS instead of the built-in CRU.

...And we need Gunships that aren't designed with CRUs in mind.

And the whole problem with flipping Dropships could use another look as well. They're way too unstable under fire at present.

I was saying it's better for a particular role

What role is that? Getting shot out of the sky?

Mobile spawn point. Thought that was obvious from the fact that its core "problem" for every other conceivable role is the inclusion of a CRU.

Also still waiting on Pilots being given a "team spawn" bonus (even if it's a reduced-reward one) for players spawning on their vehicle.

Meh, I have a CRU Grimsness that is just about as durable as a Prometheus, half as expensive, and didn't cost me an extra 4-500k in SP.

Not that I ever fly it though, because Blueberries are beyond stupid. They should make it so only your squad can use your CRU, especially when we have 6 man squads (if you weren't in a squad, it would allow others not in a squad to spawn in)

NOT that it's better value for money

How about they get an extra high-slot, fitting equal to the lower tier Dropships and a bonus to the PG/CPU requirements of CRU's?

That'd be more EVEy

Meh, I have a CRU Grimsness that is just about as durable as a Prometheus, half as expensive, and didn't cost me an extra 4-500k in SP.

Not that I ever fly it though, because Blueberries are beyond stupid. They should make it so only your squad can use your CRU, especially when we have 6 man squads (if you weren't in a squad, it would allow others not in a squad to spawn in)