drone warfare Tech Comparison
Stealth Drones vs Heavy Drone Platform
Comparing the Stealth Drones (Tier 3) 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 | Stealth Drones | Heavy Drone Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | T3 | T3 |
| Research time | 18▼ | 22 |
| metal cost | 35,000▼ | 40,000 |
| crystal cost | 18,000▼ | 20,000 |
| dark matter cost | 300▼ | — |
| antimatter cost | — | 200▼ |
| Effect | unlocks stealth drones: true; +30% drone evasion | +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.
Stealth Drones
Light cloaking fields render recon and strike drones invisible until attack range, unlocking the void-needle drone.
Unlocks ships: void needle
Requires: drone warfare 1
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?
Both sit at the same tier. The Stealth Drones is the cheaper project, so it's the safer early pick if your economy is tight; otherwise prioritise whichever effect supports your current strategy.