Exospine Overview
Exospines in Stellar Blade are crucial equipment pieces that significantly impact Eve’s combat style by offering unique abilities tailored to various playstyles. These modules enhance aspects such as combo attacks, damage reduction, perfect parries, and perfect dodges. Equipping the right Exospine can dramatically alter your approach to combat encounters, making their acquisition and understanding vital for progression. They are designed to contribute to Eve’s combat style, providing specialized enhancements.
Exospines are distinct from gear modules, marketed as expansion devices that improve AI capabilities. They were initially expensive due to poor yields of Tetrastar’s quantum semiconductors, limiting their quantity. Despite allegations of wiretapping and AI manipulation by mega-corporations, the media showed no interest in the quantum nerves built into these modules, which can affect an AI’s subconscious.
Base Game Exospine Locations
To find all Exospines in Stellar Blade, you will primarily be opening red cases as you clear each region of the game. The exact locations for specific Exospines are typically found within these cases as you progress through the main story and explore different areas. While a comprehensive list of all specific coordinates is best found on an interactive map, the table below details the known Exospines, their grades, and primary abilities.
| Exospine | Grade | Abilities | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beta Trance-Type | ★★★ | Increases Beta Energy recharge by 12%; Beta Skill Attack Power by 12%; successful Beta Skill hits have a chance to place you in Trance (no Beta Energy consumption). | Specialized in improving Beta Skills. |
| Burst Trance-Type | ★★★ | Increases Max Burst Energy by 600; Burst Skill Attack Power by 30%; recharges Burst Energy by 50 when Combo Attacks at Level 4+ are used. | Specialized in improving Burst Skills. |
| Camouflage-Type | ★★★ | Decreases enemies’ field of view; increases melee Attack Power by 17.5% for 10s upon successful execution; restores 15% of Max HP upon successful execution. | Specialized in stealth movement and execution. |
| Chain-Type | ★★★ | Increases Attack Power of Combo Attacks Level 2+ by 27%; Crit. Damage increases by 23%; increases Crit. Rate of Combo Attacks Level 4+ by 30%. | Specialized in improving combo attacks. |
| Eagle Eye-Type | ★★★ | Ranged Attack Power increases by 10%; increases max capacity of all owned ammo; has a chance to recover ammo from successful hits when attacking enemy’s weakness from a distance. | Specialized in improving ranged attacks. |
| Grenadier-Type | ★★★ | Increases Damage and Effect of Combat Consumables (Powerful Naytibas not affected); increases Area of Effect of Combat Consumables; Combat Consumables deal increased Damage and have greater Effect upon hitting enemies from behind. | Specialized in improving Combat Consumables. |
| Impact-Type | ★★★ | Crit. Rate increases by 9.5%; unleashes unstable energy when enemies are dealt a Critical Hit; unstable energy deals chained Damage to nearby enemies; unstable energy deals more chained Damage. | Specialized in combat against multiple enemies. |
| Judgement-Type | ★★★ | Tachy Energy Charge increases by 15%; Tachy Energy consumption decreases by 15%; manually leaving Tachy Mode damages nearby enemies and Downs them. | Specialized in Tachy Mode performance. |
Each of these Exospines offers distinct advantages, allowing players to tailor Eve’s abilities to their preferred combat style. For example, the Beta Trance-Type is ideal for players who frequently use Beta Skills, while the Chain-Type benefits those who rely on extensive combo attacks. The Grenadier-Type, on the other hand, empowers players who utilize combat consumables strategically.
New Game Plus Exospines
Upon completing Stellar Blade and starting a New Game Plus (NG+), you will gain access to new and improved versions of the Exospines you previously collected. These upgraded versions, referred to as Mark 2 (Mk2) variants, offer more powerful traits and perks. Crucially, you do not need to track down new locations for these upgraded Exospines. Instead, they are found in the exact same locations as their base game counterparts.
To acquire an Mk2 Exospine, you must have collected its base variant during your initial playthrough. When you revisit a location containing an Exospine in NG+ that you previously acquired, Eve will automatically receive the Mark 2 version. This system ensures that players are rewarded for their prior exploration and collection efforts without requiring a completely new search for upgraded gear. Planning for these Mk2 pickups is a separate step from the initial collection, ensuring you maximize your character’s potential in subsequent playthroughs.
Exospine Management Tips
Effectively managing your Exospines involves both collection and strategic use. As you progress through Stellar Blade, treat Exospines as both collectibles and build-defining items. Always prioritize opening red cases encountered during normal region cleanup, as these are the primary sources for base Exospines. It’s beneficial to mark any Exospines found in late-route areas or before points of no return to ensure you don’t miss them.
Once you’ve collected an Exospine, consider its utility for your current combat setup. The game allows for a clean route where you track pickup locations first, then decide if the module fits your playstyle. This prevents getting bogged down in build optimization during initial exploration. For completionists, planning to upgrade at least ten different Exospines is recommended when aiming for a “Perfect Exospine” progress, as upgrade materials serve specific completion goals. Remember that the distinction between base and Mk2 Exospines means your collection and upgrade routes will differ between initial playthroughs and New Game Plus.
FAQ
What are Exospines in Stellar Blade? Exospines are specialized equipment modules that enhance Eve’s combat abilities, offering unique perks that improve various aspects of gameplay such as attack power, defense, and skill efficiency.
How do I get all Exospines? You acquire Exospines primarily by opening red cases found throughout the game’s regions during your normal progression and exploration.
Are there different grades of Exospines? Yes, all listed Exospines are of ★★★ grade, indicating their rarity and potency.
Do Exospines have upgraded versions? Yes, in New Game Plus, you can find Mark 2 (Mk2) versions of Exospines in the same locations where you found their base game counterparts, provided you collected the original.
Can I miss any Exospines? While the sources do not explicitly state “missable” Exospines, it is advisable to collect them from red cases as you clear each region and before committing to point-of-no-return areas to ensure complete collection.
How do Exospines affect my gameplay? Each Exospine offers specific enhancements, such as increasing Beta Energy recharge, boosting Burst Skill damage, improving stealth, or enhancing critical hit rates, allowing you to tailor Eve’s combat style to your preferences.