Ok so I use a Myrmidon for ratting, I got 4 curators and can usually rip stuff up before the rats even get into lock on range.
Now all of a sudden they can't hit the broadside of a barn, and at that, Omnidirectional tracking links seem to be activitable now, and I thought they were passive before.

CCP plan to fix this? Or was this intentional?

scripts will help you. You'll need to overheat to get the old performance

Ok so I use a Myrmidon for ratting, I got 4 curators and can usually rip stuff up before the rats even get into lock on range.
Now all of a sudden they can't hit the broadside of a barn, and at that, Omnidirectional tracking links seem to be activitable now, and I thought they were passive before.

CCP plan to fix this? Or was this intentional?

Because Goon Tears.

Go read the Features & Ideas section of the forums every now and then, and you won't be surprised when changes like this occur.

The existense of goon (fixed that for you) tears does not preclude the possibility that sentry drones have been rather OP for a while. Its when stuff becomes a FOTM pvp meta that its first up for nerfbatting.

Expect your income generation to be about half of what it was with drones.
Oh, and don't forget the nerf to the shield regen of the sentries.

Of course, the dev in question who is responsible for this, states, and I quote, "I think you'll find that your drones are still quite effective after this change, and remain very competitive with other weapon systems."

Of course, I think the weapon systems he is talking about are rockets and frigate pulse lasers, but I could be wrong.

It won't halve income generation. The pilot needs to get 2x optimal range scripts, and 2x tracking scripts, and switch between them as the NPCs get closer, which can be done without interrupting the fire of the sentries.

I tried that last night with a single fed navy omni fitted ishtar and it was more than workable (I believe optimal was around 54 based on missing prior to patch, and around 51 after patch). I shot normal enough ticks bearing in mind the minor flexibility loss and the 5% nerf due to ESS anyway.

Yes it costs you some optimal, no the sky didn't fall.

don't use a myrmidon. it is not a viable ship anymore.

don't use a myrmidon. it is not a viable ship anymore.

Ok so I use a Myrmidon for ratting, I got 4 curators and can usually rip stuff up before the rats even get into lock on range.
Now all of a sudden they can't hit the broadside of a barn, and at that, Omnidirectional tracking links seem to be activitable now, and I thought they were passive before.

CCP plan to fix this? Or was this intentional?

Good thing I still have mining to fall back on for my EvE excitement, eh?

Range is for girls... improved tracking is nice. But opposite of what was required. Ironically the ability to assign drones is still untouched.

But that wasn't good enough, obviously, because now they've nerfed all the sentries as well. Which comes as a total surprise to exactly no drone boat user ever.

Good thing I still have mining to fall back on for my EvE excitement, eh?

Yup, and the thread owner was in a Myrm, that has no hull bonus.
Want to take a crack at that using only useless Omni's now?

Of course, I am conversing with a goon, so what is the point.

My problem isn't with the change, my problem is the tracking links deactivate after one cycle now.. Is this the way they are supposed to work? I was under the assumption they would work like sensor boosters and remain active and running even without scripts loaded.

Pre patch Garde with two omnis
45.6 Optimal + 12k falloff ~ 50 k effective range, half dmg at ~ 58k, 0 dmg at 70k

Post patch Garde with two omnis range scripted
39K Optimal + 19.7 falloff ~46 k effective range, half dmg at ~ 58k, 0 dmg at 78k

No, the sky didn't fall range wise on "unbonused" boats.

What the patch did hurt, is your ability to actually track small, high transversal targets maintaining that 50km range. Which was part of the problem with drone boats overperforming, particularly the range and tracking bonused hulls. When it comes to tracking a target at a more reasonable range, switching to tracking scripts nets you a 9.35% buff before overheating.

Care to elaborate what PvE content features small signature hostiles orbiting at 50+km, making unbonused ships with the new Omni useless? Furthermore, why should battleship class guns be used to fire at them, instead of switching to a more reasonable anti-frigate drone choice or using the high slots? After all, the sentry Myrm is little more than the drone version of a 6 gun Talos. Would you expect a blaster Talos to track sig tanking frigates at 50+km?