I really liked the idea of the companion drones. But they look cheating because they are available without research.

It will be very good if you create a line of research for them, so that they are available depending on the technological development of the protagonist.

This can be done as an option, so that this mod is convenient for everyone.

Thanks!

"Look cheating" They completely remove early game difficulty, The fact that you're given 2 decked out drones upon crashing and are immediately able to take out every biter base on the map is laughable.

Very cool concept, Very nice art, Poor gating. These things should be available after drones and power/modular armor. With a material cost that reflects both those. What we have right now needs to be in the options under "easy mode" I love this mod, but I feel like I've gotta destroy the 2 i start with, but there so cheap there is almost no point.

Honestly start a new game where acid puddles don't damage flying.. Craft a second laser for them both (cuz its cheap) hand full of repair packs. Set a hotbar button to toggle their attack mode on or off so you can repair them when their shield goes down. And take out every single base from off screen.

The fact that ready-made drones are available at the start is not critical... They are useful if you use mods on enemies like "Will-o'-the-Wisps updated", "Marine Life", "Biter Hunt Group", "I speak for the trees !"

This adds action to the game and is logical since these drones could survive in a crash...

Although their presence at the start can be made optional ...

But the lack of research to create these drones is a minus of mod.

I know it was a let down, no build up. Seems like a half finished mod.

Research is key to progression. Imagine what the first version of a robot companion could have been. Maybe an empty power suit that walks and follows you like these drones do. Or maybe just a pair of legs with a gun mounted. Hell, even a crate on wheels..

Even if the mod stayed as it is, Locking the drones and their gear behind meaningful research would make them exciting to get eventually, rather than starting with an army.

One thing is definitely clear. The mod lacks an element of research.

With regard to the availability of drones at the start, this is an optional issue.

With the enemy mods I listed, starting drones are a great help. Since the threat of attack with these mods exists from the very beginning and is constantly present ...

Without these mods, starter drones are redundant.

The only pity is that the owner of this mod, it seems, is no longer interested ... :(

I am fine with starting with them, but agree that they need to be both gated and starting ones nerfed. TBH I think starting only one should have a laser, neither have shields and only one with a roboport. Additionally fuel consumption needs to be significantly increased. Laser power not sure if increase/decrease. They take a while to kill since they home and only appear to single target, even with multiple installed.
Research should at least be gated to blue chips for constructing additional robots and some parts given their power.

+1