i think dropping into a different tuning just makes everything better, for one you don't sound as generic like everyone else. secondly your ear picks up newer patterns and fingering arrangements that you would never have discovered in the first place. and thirdly you just become well rounded overall. but thats just my opinion.

i don't really drop in just half step.
normally it will be in drop D or half step drop D, which is my fav.
i think the raveonettes drop there's all the way down to B or something.. crazyness