Exospines in Stellar Blade are found within red cases scattered across various regions; to upgrade them to their more powerful MK2 versions, you must first acquire the base variant in your initial playthrough, then re-collect them in the same locations during a New Game Plus run.
Exospine Overview and Function
Exospines are crucial equipment in Stellar Blade, designed to significantly enhance Eve’s combat capabilities and tailor her to specific playstyles. Each Exospine offers unique abilities, ranging from boosting combo attacks and reducing incoming damage to improving perfect parry or perfect dodge timings. Equipping the right Exospine can dramatically alter your approach to combat encounters, making them a cornerstone of effective character builds. They function as a build and collectible layer, meaning players should prioritize opening red cases as they clear each region. Understanding the distinct role of each Exospine is key to optimizing Eve’s performance against Naytibas.
All Base Exospine Locations and Abilities
Exospines are typically found in red cases as you progress through different regions of Stellar Blade. Each Exospine is distinct, offering specific enhancements to Eve’s combat style. The following table details all known Exospines, their primary abilities, and a brief description of their intended use as of June 22, 2026.
| Exospine | Grade | Abilities | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beta Trance-Type | ★★★ | Beta Energy recharge +12%; Beta Skill Attack Power +12%; Chance for Trance on hit (no Beta Energy consumption in Trance). | Improves Beta Skills. |
| Burst Trance-Type | ★★★ | Max Burst Energy +600; Burst Skill Attack Power +30%; Burst Energy +50 on Combo Attacks Level 4+. | Improves Burst Skills. |
| Camouflage-Type | ★★★ | Decreases enemies’ field of view; Melee Attack Power +17.5% for 10s after execution; Restores 15% Max HP after execution. | Specializes in stealth and execution. |
| Chain-Type | ★★★ | Attack Power of Combo Attacks Level 2+ by 27%; Crit. Damage +23%; Crit. Rate of Combo Attacks Level 4+ by 30%. | Improves combo attacks. |
| Eagle Eye-Type | ★★★ | Ranged Attack Power +10%; Increases max capacity of all owned ammo; Chance to recover ammo on weakness hits from distance. | Improves ranged attacks. |
| Grenadier-Type | ★★★ | Increases Damage/Effect of Combat Consumables (powerful Naytibas unaffected); Increases AoE of Combat Consumables; Increased Damage/Effect from behind. | Improves Combat Consumables. |
| Impact-Type | ★★★ | Crit. Rate +9.5%; Unleashes unstable energy on Critical Hits, dealing chained Damage to nearby enemies (more chained Damage). | Specializes in combat against multiple enemies. |
| Judgement-Type | ★★★ | Tachy Energy Charge +15%; Tachy Energy consumption -15%; Manually leaving Tachy Mode damages and Downs nearby enemies. | Specializes in Tachy Mode performance. |
When collecting Exospines, it’s advisable to mark red-case pickups by region during normal cleanup to ensure no base Exospines are missed. These items are not mixed with random gear, making them distinct collectibles.
New Game Plus: MK2 Exospines
Upon completing Stellar Blade and starting a New Game Plus (NG+), you will gain access to new and improved versions of Exospines, known as Mark 2 (MK2) variants. These MK2 Exospines offer more powerful traits and perks compared to their base counterparts.
Crucially, you do not need to search for new locations to find these upgraded Exospines. They are located in the exact same spots where you found the base versions during your initial playthrough. When you open a chest that previously contained an Exospine, Eve will now receive the MK2 version. It is important to note that you can only acquire the MK2 variant of an Exospine if you successfully collected its base version in your original run. Therefore, thorough collection of all Exospines in your first playthrough is essential for maximizing your power in NG+. Planning MK2 pickups separately during your NG+ run ensures you acquire all the enhanced modules.
Upgrading Exospines
While the sources do not explicitly detail a separate “upgrade” process for Exospines using materials in the same way gear might be upgraded, the primary method of enhancement is through acquiring their Mark 2 versions in New Game Plus. The MK2 variants serve as the direct upgrade path, offering superior statistical benefits and amplified effects compared to the base Exospines.
To effectively “upgrade” your Exospine collection, the strategy involves:
- First Playthrough Collection: Systematically collect every base Exospine available in red cases across all regions. This is a prerequisite for obtaining their enhanced versions.
- New Game Plus Acquisition: Revisit all Exospine locations during your NG+ run. The chests will now yield the more powerful MK2 versions of any Exospine you previously collected.
This two-stage process ensures that players can continuously enhance Eve’s combat style with increasingly potent Exospine abilities, adapting to the escalating challenges of subsequent playthroughs. The goal is to upgrade towards a “Perfect Exospine” collection by ensuring all base and MK2 variants are acquired.
FAQ
What are Exospines in Stellar Blade? Exospines are specialized equipment for Eve that provide unique abilities to enhance her combat style, such as improving combo attacks, reducing damage, or boosting specific skills.
How do I get Exospines? Exospines are found by opening red cases located throughout the various regions in Stellar Blade.
Can I upgrade Exospines? Yes, Exospines are upgraded by acquiring their Mark 2 (MK2) versions in a New Game Plus playthrough. You must have collected the base Exospine in your first run to get its MK2 version in NG+.
Do MK2 Exospines appear in new locations? No, MK2 Exospines are found in the exact same locations as their base versions during a New Game Plus playthrough.
What happens if I miss an Exospine in my first playthrough? If you miss a base Exospine, you will not be able to acquire its MK2 version in New Game Plus from that specific location. You would need to collect the base version first.