Regarding all that, two advantages of a drop/mU are that the piece's presence in a particular spot can block attacks; and its location can be the launching point for a potential capture, which drops normally cannot do (my Anvil being that rare and probably unique exception). So, an mU (or @) should be given greater weight for any given turn on the basis of those two things.
And any initial move, drop or otherwise, should have a lowered effect on the piece's net value (if it doesn't already). After all, you only get one shot at it.
Regarding all that, two advantages of a drop/mU are that the piece's presence in a particular spot can block attacks; and its location can be the launching point for a potential capture, which drops normally cannot do (my Anvil being that rare and probably unique exception). So, an mU (or @) should be given greater weight for any given turn on the basis of those two things.
And any initial move, drop or otherwise, should have a lowered effect on the piece's net value (if it doesn't already). After all, you only get one shot at it.