Press the special-function key to release the drone frigate's drones, which are effective against strike craft.

Don't bother with the drone frigate unless you suspect or know your opponent is concentrating many resource units into a large strike-force squad. Position the drone frigate near your capital-ship group so the drones will assist in the protection of other frigates as well.

Defense Field Frigate
Classification: Frigate
Race: Taiidan
Cost: 800 RUs

The Taiidan field frigate is similar to the defense fighter but works better in repelling enemy strike craft and turret fire.

The field frigate is a specialty unit for the Taiidan side only. The field frigate doesn't possess offensive capabilities, at least against other vessels. Instead, the field frigate's weaponry concentrates on the fire of the other vessels, excluding ion beams and missiles. If you play as the Taiidan side, you should definitely consider this powerful frigate, especially positioned within your capital-ship group to protect the group from strike craft and assault frigates.

If your opponent, however, is using ion beam frigates or larger capital ships, the field frigate won't prove useful. It has no means of shooting down the ion beams or the guided missiles of the missile destroyer. The field frigate, then, will prove most useful in an early- to middle-game offensive. Use the field frigate to protect your frigates and capital ships against the strike-craft force of your opponent. If you aren't taking damage from his weapons, you'll certainly gain an advantage on an equal-sized force and even a larger fleet because the field frigate will deflect a significant portion of your enemy's fire, enabling you to score more hits and damage.

Next: Unit Strategies (cont.)