They would be a good challenge if people didn't lose ships. I've never done one after seeing corp mates lose their entire fleets.
They are hard enough now losing ships makes them untouchable
#Add sanctuary to dark red stars. dark red stars are a missed opportunity
cyan panther
signal sail
Do the cheese meta with Mass Battery and Solitude. Nearly all other modules are optional though regen shield, and weapons amp make it particularly easy. With level 12 gear, has to get up to 11 before it's lethal.
cyan panther
Once you reach level 12 gear you don't need dark red stars at least a leader board would give a purpose to them
merry echo
Once you reach level 12 gear you don't need dark red stars at least a leader boa...
once you reach lvl12 modules you need drs more than ever, cause the blueprints to upgrade them further are maaaaaaaaany more
open quarry
“This game mode I have never tried once is too hard” 
livid torrent
The masochist in me loves losing ships.
Remembers me why I purchased sp1.
echo sluice
Something to note here is that you do not have to clear the top level planets in DRS. If they are too hard for you then go for looting only the lowers instead. The lower are dramatically easier than the top level planets, and they still give you the +100% bonus just the same.
livid torrent
Just do team drs. So much less effort.
echo sluice
These ideas are not mutually exclusive:
#1217932219272794112 message
#1217932219272794112 message
also see this:
#general message
sage marsh
@cyan panther , they're a lot less difficult if you have somebody teach you how to run them effectively. Then it's just a matter of a leveling up the mods that you're going to use and practicing. Run DRS7 until you're comfortable with them. Then try more difficult levels. They do take some getting used to. They are easier if you run with teammates