Background:
Drones are forms of robotic AI used by the Tau for just about any type of task, be it construction, protection, or even destruction.
In this mod, drones appear in two ways: as additions to squads and as standalone support teams. They are typically very powerful but have poor health regeneration and sight, leaving them rather dependent on having allies nearby to fully function.
Drone Controller
While drones can perform alone, they are able to be used to their fullest while within range of a Drone Controller. These are pieces of wargear that directly interface with nearby drones to unlock their full potential.
In game, Drone Controllers are wargear accessories available to each Tau Commander. While equipped, the controller will broadcast an aura in an area around the commander. Any drone within this aura will interface with the commander (visually represented by the drone glowing blue) and have a special ability unlocked.
Variants In Game:
Heavy Gun Drone
- These are drones equipped with dual burst cannons. While inaccurate at long ranges, the sheer volumes of fire these drones are able to put out can easily suppress enemies that are unlucky enough to cross these drones.
- Drone Controller Effect - Overdrive: For a short duration, any Heavy Gun Drone that activates this ability is able to push past typical safety parameters and fire its burst cannons until they overheat. Weapon accuracy is increased while this ability is active
- Availability:
- Standalone support team (3 drones)
- Fire Warrior squad add-on
- This variant does not deal suppression damage
Missile Drone
- These drones are equipped with missile pods, making them effective at taking down enemy vehicles
- Drone Controller Effect - Fragmentation Barrage: Missile Drones are able to indirectly fire anti-infantry missiles at the target location
- Availability:
- Standalone support team (3 drones)
Shield Drone
- These drone are equipped with a shield generator, which passively protects the unit it belongs to. They are also able to share their shielding with nearby allies for a short duration, but doing so greatly harms the drone.
- Drone Controller Effect - EMP Blast: The Shield Drone will quickly amass energy that, once dispersed, will briefly disable nearby vehicles and slow nearby infantry
- Availability:
- Fire Warrior squad add-on
Marker Drone
- These drones are equipped with Marker Lights, allowing for passive marking of targeted enemies
- Drone Controller Effect - Recursive Protocols: The Marker Drone emits a pulse that extends any nearby active marks by 5 seconds (up to 10 seconds maximum)
- Availability:
- Pathfinder squad add-on
