Best combat drone builds.

Well, I spent the evening comparing rocket and shock drones. It was kind of cute to see the rocket drone launch its "rockets" (which looked more like Nerf balls). Unmolested, the rocket drone can work a mook over in a few shots, and it can do some supplemental damage to a boss unit. It also has some mook stagger potential. It does more single-target damage than the shock/suicide drone, as long as it remains positioned to hit the target. It does get confused and fire into walls, but it will pursue a target once it gets far enough around a corner.

In terms of utility, however, I couldn't get it to compete with the shock/suicide drone. The shock drone spawns in ready to go, and it affects an area. Launched into a group, it's overall DPS is going to be better, and it's main selling point isn't DPS. The stagger and distraction is invaluable. Any second a unit spends stumbling around or turning its back to me is another second where I can set up the next tech/fire burst while pouring fire into an enemy. I don't put points into Fitness, and being able to slow or stop incoming fire increases my effectiveness greatly. There's no problem with targeting, since the whole point is to get to face-biting distance and start shocking. Destroying it harms all units in the area, and it can be redeployed almost instantly.

I'm glad I took a look at the rocket drone, but the question is settled for me. The only heretical build left for me to dally with is one in which I go for greater single-target damage with Overload. The damage increase is notable with other power damage boosts, but I still haven't decided whether that balances the extra effect on a second target. Since I keep the shock drone active, though, the extra stagger becomes less important. It's inconclusive for me so far.