Drone Guide

Key Stats

• Ability Scores: Intelligence. Dexterity if you want to not control them via direct neural interface.
  • Ability Score Swaps: Initiative and Pilot work off of Intelligence when controlling a drone via a direct neural interface.
  • Note: It is possible to get a Magic-based direct neural interface via a few Electromagnetism-linked abilities. Obviously Wisdom becomes important at that point, but the only relevant thing that it affects here is Initiative (which becomes WIS-based when controlling things via DNI instead).
• Skills: Hackcraft, Knowledge [Technology], Mechanics, and Use Computer. Endurance, Initiative, and Perception are always good.

Key Mechanics

If you have a direct neural interface, everything you do with a drone is a swift action (except full attack actions which are 2 actions, and full-round actions which instead require 3 swift actions). If you don't, its the usual action.

Familiarize yourself with the Hacking rules, because sooner or later someone is going to use them against you.

Attacking

Attacking with a drone works similarly to attacking with a vehicle:

Attack Roll: 1d20 + Your BAB + Ability Score* + Any other relevant modifiers

• *Ability Score: If you are using a computer manually, this is your Dexterity, capped at the effective Intelligence of the computer. If you are using a DNI, its your Intelligence.

Backgrounds

In theory any work, but if you're looking for ones that specifically boost your key skills or stats...

• Artisan
• College Educated
• Criminal Past
• Help Desk
• Lore-Keeper
• Magical Family
• One of the Masses
• Upper Class Upbringing

Themes

Themes that boost the medic role...

• Cybernetic Seeker: Relevant bonuses, but really not the focus of the theme.
• Hacker: This should be obvious, given drone use's dependence on computing.
• Pilot: So if you want to get technical here, Drones are vehicles. They're just so simple to pilot they don't require a category in the Pilot skill.
• Renaissance Sentient: Literally good for anything.
• Scholar: If you want to go the knowledge angle more.
• Technician: Sooner or later you're going to need to repair or upgrade those drones.
• Xenoarchaeologist: Not 100% on-theme so to speak, but it does get Drone Operations as a bonus feat, boost INT, and get two relevant skills.

Base Specializations

• Digital Denizen - If you want to go the 100% drone use all the time, Multitasker is a top-tier ability since you need all the swift actions you can get.
• Independent AI - Obviously this is only relevant if you're an AI.
• Mundane

Advanced Specializations

• Drone Commander - Its right there in the name. If you're wanting to use multiple drones at once, this is the way. If you're wanting to use a single drone, you've probably got some other focus going on - focus on that one instead for your first Advanced Specialization.

Feats

• Brilliant Defense - 1/Encounter add your INT mod to your Reflex defense as a reaction. Yes, this does work with Predictive Defense (see below).
• Drone Operations - Flavor text says it all.
• Predictive Defense - You're smart enough to not get hit. Use Intelligence instead of Dexterity when determining your Reflex defense.
• Skill Focus - +5 to a skill. Always useful.
• The Pen Is Mightier - Look at some point you're going to have to persuade someone. Might as well do it in writing and add your Intelligence and Wisdom.
• "I'm the tech guy" feats
  • Advanced Device
  • Gearhead
  • Hasty Modification
  • Scavenger
  • Signature Device
  • Superior Tech
  • Tech Specialist
  • Technophile
  • Urgent Modification
• Vehicle-related feats
  • A Few Maneuvers
  • Hold Together
  • Starship Tactics
  • Vehicular Combat
  • Vehicular Surge
  • Vehicle Systems Expertise

Universal Talents

So there really aren't any drone-specific talents yet. Think about what you want to do with the drones and work from there.

Gear

Unless you are using a direct neural interface on its own, get yourself the best computer you can afford in a form factor that you can carry and use easily.

Get a good Barrier for whatever you're using, because that's going to determine how hard it is for people to steal control of your drones away from you, or shut you down.

Always keep some nanopacks on hand so you can repair your drones.

Beyond those, your biggest gear focuses are the drones themselves.