Drone Upgrade Modules Overview
Drone Upgrade Modules are essential items in Stellar Blade used to enhance the functionality and combat capabilities of EVE’s drone. Initially a scanning and intel device, the drone is later modified by Lily to serve as a versatile firearm with various firing modes, including Slug, Shotgun, Stinger, Blaster, and Explosive rounds. These modules increase the drone’s ammunition capacity, improve its abilities, and can even grant it the power to detect nearby collectible Cans.
Players will find more Drone Upgrade Modules throughout the game than are strictly necessary to fully upgrade all branches. This means missing a few modules during exploration will not prevent a complete upgrade path. Upgrades are permanent once purchased and cannot be reset.
How to Find Drone Upgrade Modules
Drone Upgrade Modules can be acquired through several methods across Stellar Blade’s regions:
- Scavenger Robots: These small, robotic enemies are a primary source of modules. They attempt to flee on sight and self-destruct after taking a few hits, dropping one or more modules upon defeat. Players should engage them immediately before they escape.
- High-Security Crates: Certain locked chests contain Drone Upgrade Modules. These crates typically require the Hacking Tool upgrade or a specific Passcode, which can be found in nearby Documents or dropped by robots. Some crates yield multiple modules.
- D1G-g2r (Merchant): The merchant located at the Scrap Yard in the Wasteland sells Drone Upgrade Modules. These can be purchased using crafting materials: 50 Micro Coils and 250 Micro Drives per module. This offers a reliable alternative if players struggle to find enough modules through exploration.
Regions such as Matrix 11 and the Wasteland are noted for having high concentrations of 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, players should thoroughly explore Spire 4 and Eidos 9, as these areas also contain several modules.
Where to Spend Drone Upgrade Modules
Drone Upgrade Modules are spent at any Repair Console, found at every Supply Camp, or directly with Lily at the Tetrapod hideout in Xion City. The upgrade tree for the drone is divided into three distinct branches:
- Environment: This branch focuses on enhancing the drone’s scanning capabilities. Upgrades here improve scanner range and recharge speed. Crucially, it also includes the Can Detector ability, which provides an audible cue when collectible Cans are nearby, significantly speeding up exploration.
- Hacking: This branch is considered highly valuable early in the game. The Hacking Tool upgrade, available through this branch, unlocks high-security chests that often contain valuable items like Nano Suits and Exospines that are otherwise inaccessible. Many veteran players prioritize this upgrade.
- Ammo and Combat: This 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.
Since drone upgrades are permanent, it is advisable to plan the upgrade order carefully before committing modules.
Specific Drone Upgrade Module Locations
Below are some confirmed locations for Drone Upgrade Modules:
- Spire 4:
- Inside a red container where two Houndborgs ambush EVE.
- Behind an overturned car, at the end of a large ditch.
- On a platform situated above ledges, past the second catwalk.
- Eidos 7:
- Obtained by defeating a small enemy found behind a locked gate.
- At the end of the tunnel on the right side when moving towards the Crater, near crates (dispatch the small enemy).
- Wasteland:
- Dropped by a small droid encountered on a path along the mountain.
- Dropped by a small robot patrolling behind cars at the edge of the road (must be destroyed quickly).
- Found behind a pile of wooden crates.
- Altess Levoire:
- In the room with the switch that activates a laser, located on the upper floor.
- On a table within an infested corridor.
- Matrix 11:
- Dropped by a small robot running around a barricade.
- Carried by a small robot found on the platform above the workbench near a camp (climb shelves on the wall to reach it).
- On the train tracks directly in front of a moving cart.
- At the end of the walkway after completing a Quick Time Event (QTE).
- Obtained by defeating a small robot within a tunnel.
- Great Desert:
- Dropped by a small robot behind crates by the road.
- Dropped by a robot moving around a statue.
Players can utilize interactive maps to track collected modules and identify remaining locations.
FAQ
What are Drone Upgrade Modules used for? Drone Upgrade Modules are used to upgrade 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, as it unlocks high-security chests containing valuable items like Nano Suits and Exospines.