[BLACK_TEMPLAR]

In a squad of 3 broadside do give all three suits 2 shield drones or just one. Which way is the most effective.

[Shaso Wanax]

If I'm shooting at it with 3 lascannons, how many turns would this force last with one sheild drone if my BS is 3?

I hate word problems in math ;D

I am spending more and more these days on sheild drones for BS and DS crisis. So I say you need a minimum of 2.

[The Gear Mechanic]

The most efficient way I've seen is to simply give a pair of shield drones for each broadside group. Since Inv. saves don't follow the same rules as regular armor saves, you should be in good shape.

Also, I would recommend that, if you have the extra slots, field Broadsides in pairs or as single suit teams to save points and reduce losses from focused heavy weapons fire.

[Nox]

Your best bet is 2 drones per team of 2 or 3 broadsides. That will give them the ability to take a few hits without costing an arm and a leg.

[ForbiddenKnowledge]

I prefer a team of two, with ASS and a pair of shield drones.

They can drop tanks fine, have enough protection to withstand most return fire (nothing short of Anti-tank will bypass their armour) and have shield drones to take any powerful hits.

They can also move and fire, meaning they are much more tactically flexible.

Broadsides - 2 XV88, Team Leader with Bonding knife, HWDC and 2 shield drones, ASS. 205 points IIRC, and perfect for every situation.

[Darth_Fraggle]

My loadout is to send them in pairs with ASS, and one Shas'vre with HW Target lock, HW Drone controller and 2 shield drones.

If I have the empty slots I'll send lone Shas'vre with ASS and 2 shield drones.

I've never tried just taking shield drones as I consider taking ASS far too useful, mainly for the ability to give my opponent next to nothing to shoot at if he gets the first turn.

*Edit* Wow, Rafe, Simo-post with almost the same advice.

[ForbiddenKnowledge]

I too love the ASS - I usually deploy behind area terrain, mitigating any fire from hitting them on the first turn, whereas I can move through the terrain laughing and unleashe two generally accuarate, or marked, shots into his tanks straight away.

[Col.Angus]

I use a squad of two, one upgraded to squad leader. Both take Advanced stabilization systems, and the leader takes bonding knife and a pair of shield drones.

[Floobosaurus]

Like everyone's been saying, about 2 drones per team of 2 or more will generally be best.

Broadsides are already pretty tough on their own, so you don't want to spend too many points on more defense. If you need a little more protection from lascannons and such, then you should try to use cover.

[Darth_Fraggle]

Two is also optimal, because one has a target lock and they can each choose a target if you want. With three, two of them have to "double up".

Two is also better for scoring-ness. With two shield drones your opponent will have to kill 3 models to make them non-scoring. If there were 3 sides and 2 drones they'd still only have to kill 3.