Drone Upgrade Modules Overview
Drone Upgrade Modules in Stellar Blade are crucial items used to enhance EVE’s drone, transforming it from a basic scanning device into a versatile firearm and utility tool. These modules enable significant improvements, such as increased ammunition capacity, enhanced abilities, and even the invaluable ability to detect nearby collectible Cans. Players will find more Drone Upgrade Modules throughout the game than are strictly necessary to fully upgrade all branches of the drone’s capabilities, meaning that missing a few during exploration will not prevent a complete upgrade path. Once purchased, upgrades are permanent and cannot be reset.
The drone’s functionality expands significantly after Lily modifies it to serve as a firearm. This modification unlocks various firing modes, including Slug, Shotgun, Stinger, Blaster, and Explosive rounds, each benefiting from module upgrades. Understanding how these modules contribute to both combat and exploration is key to maximizing the drone’s effectiveness throughout your journey.
How to Find Drone Upgrade Modules
Drone Upgrade Modules can be acquired through several distinct methods across Stellar Blade’s diverse regions. Players should be vigilant and employ different strategies to secure these essential items.
Here are the primary methods for obtaining Drone Upgrade Modules:
| Source | Method | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Scavenger Robots | Defeat | Small robots that flee and self-destruct; drop 1+ modules. Engage quickly. |
| High-Security Crates | Open | Locked chests requiring Hacking Tool or specific Passcodes. Some yield multiple modules. |
| D1G-g2r (Merchant) | Purchase | Located at Scrap Yard in the Wasteland. Costs 50 Micro Coils and 250 Micro Drives per module. |
Scavenger Robots are a primary source; these small, robotic enemies will attempt to flee upon detection and self-destruct after taking a few hits. Players should engage them immediately to prevent their escape, as they drop one or more modules upon defeat. High-Security Crates also frequently contain Drone Upgrade Modules. These chests typically require the Hacking Tool upgrade, obtained through the drone’s Hacking branch, or a specific Passcode found in nearby Documents or dropped by other robots. Some of these crates are particularly rewarding, yielding multiple modules.
For players who might struggle to find enough modules through exploration, the merchant D1G-g2r offers a reliable alternative. Located at the Scrap Yard in the Wasteland, D1G-g2r sells Drone Upgrade Modules for crafting materials: 50 Micro Coils and 250 Micro Drives per module. Regions like Matrix 11 and the Wasteland are known for having high concentrations of both scavenger robots and module-bearing crates. The Great Desert and Altess Levoire also contain significant numbers of modules. Before reaching late-game points of no return, thorough exploration of Spire 4 and Eidos 9 is recommended, as these areas also house several modules.
Where to Spend and Prioritize Drone Upgrades
Drone Upgrade Modules are spent at any Repair Console, which can be found at every Supply Camp, or directly with Lily at the Tetrapod hideout in Xion City. The drone’s upgrade tree is divided into three distinct branches, each offering unique enhancements. Since drone upgrades are permanent, it is advisable to plan your upgrade order carefully before committing modules.
| Branch | Focus | Key Upgrades | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environment | Scanning | Scanner range, recharge speed, Can Detector | Medium (for collectors) |
| Hacking | Utility | Hacking Tool (unlocks high-security chests) | High (early game) |
| Ammo and Combat | Offense | Enhanced Slugs, Magazine Expansions, Shotgun, Explosive, Stinger Shells | Medium to High (situational) |
The Environment branch focuses on enhancing the drone’s scanning capabilities. Upgrades here improve scanner range and recharge speed. Crucially, this branch includes the Can Detector ability, which provides an audible cue when collectible Cans are nearby, significantly speeding up exploration for those aiming for 100% collection.
The Hacking branch is considered highly valuable, especially early in the game. The Hacking Tool upgrade, available through this branch, is essential as it unlocks high-security chests that often contain valuable items such as Nano Suits and Exospines that are otherwise inaccessible. Many veteran players prioritize this upgrade due to its immediate impact on gear acquisition.
The Ammo and Combat branch transforms the drone into a formidable ranged weapon. Upgrades include Enhanced Slugs, Magazine Expansions, and additional ammo types such as Shotgun Shells, Explosive Shells, and Stingers. These combat enhancements are particularly useful in encounters where EVE’s melee range is insufficient, such as within Altess Levoire and Abyss Levoire, providing crucial ranged damage options.
Specific Drone Upgrade Module Locations
Finding Drone Upgrade Modules requires thorough exploration and often quick reflexes when dealing with scavenger robots. Here is a list of confirmed locations to aid in your search:
| Region | Location Details | Source/Context |
|---|---|---|
| Spire 4 | Inside a red container | Ambush by two Houndborgs |
| Spire 4 | Behind an overturned car | End of a large ditch |
| Spire 4 | On a platform above ledges | Past the second catwalk |
| Eidos 7 | Behind a locked gate | Defeat a small enemy |
| Eidos 7 | End of tunnel towards Crater | Near crates, defeat small enemy |
| Wasteland | Path along the mountain | Dropped by a small droid |
| Wasteland | Behind cars at road edge | Dropped by a small robot (destroy quickly) |
| Wasteland | Behind a pile of wooden crates | Found item |
| Altess Levoire | Room with laser switch | Upper floor |
| Altess Levoire | On a table | Infested corridor |
| Matrix 11 | Running around a barricade | Dropped by a small robot |
| Matrix 11 | Platform above workbench | Climb shelves to reach robot |
| Matrix 11 | Train tracks | Directly in front of a moving cart |
| Matrix 11 | End of walkway | After completing a Quick Time Event (QTE) |
| Matrix 11 | Within a tunnel | Defeat a small robot |
| Great Desert | Behind crates by the road | Dropped by a small robot |
| Great Desert | Moving around a statue | Dropped by a robot |
These specific locations highlight the varied ways modules are hidden or guarded. In Spire 4, look for environmental cues like containers and overturned vehicles, often near combat encounters. Eidos 7 requires defeating specific small enemies, sometimes behind locked gates or at the end of tunnels. The Wasteland frequently places modules dropped by small droids patrolling roadsides or hidden behind common environmental clutter like wooden crates. Altess Levoire often hides them within specific rooms or on tables in infested areas. Matrix 11 is particularly dense with modules dropped by robots in dynamic environments like train tracks or after QTEs. Finally, the Great Desert also features modules dropped by patrolling robots near landmarks like statues or crates. Utilizing interactive maps can greatly assist in tracking collected modules and identifying remaining locations.
FAQ
What are Drone Upgrade Modules used for? Drone Upgrade Modules are used to enhance the drone’s capabilities, increase its ammunition capacity, and enable it to detect collectible Cans.
Where do I spend Drone Upgrade Modules? You can spend Drone Upgrade Modules at any Repair Console, found at Supply Camps, or directly with Lily at the Tetrapod hideout in Xion City.
Are Drone Upgrade Modules limited? No, there are significantly more Drone Upgrade Modules available across the campaign than are needed to max out every upgrade branch, so missing some is not a serious setback.
Can I reset drone upgrades? No, drone upgrades are permanent once purchased and cannot be reset or refunded, unlike EVE’s skill tree.
Which drone upgrade should I prioritize early in the game? Many veteran players recommend prioritizing the Hacking Tool upgrade from the Hacking branch early in the game to access high-security chests and their valuable contents.