Covenant Drone-Link Feedback Rule Issue

[slurm mckenzie]

Hi, i want to know the new rule of the covenant drones, Drone-Link Feedback: Each time a Covenant Drone is forced to Ditch or is Destroyed, this rules aplied even when the covenant player attacks?

Example: a unit of drones of torpedo bomber makes its attack run, they ditch, now the covenant player needs to rolls dice for this drones? they go directly to the scrapyard? or in this case not? 

If can be really clear about this thanks a lot...

[Nazduruk_Bugzappa]

Basically, if a drone ends up in a situation where it would go to the "recycle pile" for relaunch (ditching after an attack run, shot down by enemy AA, or deliberately moving off the table) you roll 1d6. On a 4+ the drone goes to the recycle pile. On any other result, put it back in the carry case.

[CDR_G]

Where is this new rule disseminated?

[Thamoz]

In the CoA Orbat, just under the entry for the drones (also of note; speed decrease for all drones)

[Bunnahabhain]

I have been asked to issue a clarification around Attack runs.

 

Taken directly from the 28th September 2015 Covenant  force list,

 

 

Drone-Link Feedback:

Each time a Covenant Drone is forced to Ditch or is Destroyed roll a D6:
On the roll of a 1, 2 or 3 the Drone is NOT placed in the Scrapyard and is instead removed from play entirely. This means the drone is no longer available to be launched by the Covenant Forces.

 

 

 
and From the Rule book, p119 digital edition...    ( drone section)

"All Drones that perform an Attack Run are considered to ‘Ditch’ after the Attack is resolved. ‘Ditching’ removes the Drone Squadron from the Tabletop into the Scrapyard, ready to be Re-Launched later."

 

The highlighted section has been modified by the   drone- link feedback rule above.

 

Attack runs cause the drones that execute them to ditch, and so are subject to the drone link feedback roll.

 

James, DW designer.
 

 

 

 

[CDR_G]

Not a lot of experience with Drones. An attack run by fighters would cause them to ditch by rule, correct?

There was a different opinion on that used in a game. So ditching is connected to any attack, not ordnance expended.

Either way, with the new rule Drones are no longer super-weapons- good thing.

[Thamoz]

I would reserve judgement on the new drone rule for now, it isn't being recieved well even by the people playing against CoA

Drones only ditch when they make an attack run.

So:

Drone fighters attack a small/medium/large flyer = attack run = drones ditch

Drone fighters attack other SAW = dogfight = no ditching

Drone bombers attack a surface/submerged target = attack run = drones ditch

Drone bombers attack a small/medium/large flyer with ack ack = attack run = drones ditch

Drone bombers attack other SAW = dogfight = no ditching.

 

Other forces attacking drones never forced them to ditch.

[slurm mckenzie]

Thanks a lot to all, really helpful, thanks james...

[mjorr]

If drone rule so iffy - not sure to get any back into the scrapyard, why not turn them into a physical bomb strength 1ad.

Have your surviving (aa) bombers/ torpedoes just aim for target and add 1 ad each plane ie. Bomber - 3 ad (bomd) + 1ad (suicide drone mode)

CoA bombers, all surviving the torrent of AA to suicide at 20AD- yeah yeah and indiscriminate attack as well....... Sink your stupid rowboat, sink.

[slimeball]

It does seem to make offensive drone use really inefficient, having to fight through the enemy AA, then losing half of the survivors anyway just because they fancied a swim.