drone warfare Tech Comparison
Drone Command vs Heavy Drone Platform
Comparing the Drone Command (Tier 2) and Heavy Drone Platform (Tier 3), both drone warfare technologies in Starforge MMO. Use this to decide which to queue first when your research lab can only run one project at a time.
Research Comparison
| Attribute | Drone Command | Heavy Drone Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | T2 | T3 |
| Research time | 9▼ | 22 |
| metal cost | 12,000▼ | 40,000 |
| crystal cost | 6,000▼ | 20,000 |
| antimatter cost | — | 200▼ |
| Effect | +50% max drones per fleet | +35% drone weapon damage; unlocks heavy drones: true |
▼ marks the lower resource / time cost. Cheaper isn't always better — weigh it against the effect each tech unlocks.
Drone Command
Advanced command software increases the maximum drone count per fleet by 50%.
Unlocks buildings: drone command center
Unlocks ships: drone carrier mk1
Requires: weapons 2
Heavy Drone Platform
Reinforced drone frames support heavy ordnance, enabling bomber drones and heavy attack drone variants.
Unlocks buildings: heavy drone bay
Unlocks ships: drone bomber mk1
Requires: drone warfare 1
Which Should You Research First?
The Drone Command is the lower-tier prerequisite step and typically comes first in the drone warfare branch, opening the path toward Heavy Drone Platform.