To upgrade your drone in Stellar Blade, you must interact with Lily at a Supply Camp or the Tetrapod to access the upgrade console. Unlocking powerful combat and utility features requires Drone Upgrade Modules, which are hidden in crates throughout the game world.
🎯 Key Takeaways
- Visit Lily at Supply Camps or the Tetrapod to access upgrades.
- Drone Upgrade Modules are found in yellow crates and robot drops.
- Prioritize Scanner upgrades to locate hidden collectibles and resources easily.
- Unlock the Railgun and Stinger modes to enhance long-range combat efficiency.
- Hacking upgrades are essential for opening high-security containers found in later stages.
In official overview and game mechanics”>Stellar Blade, your drone is more than just a flashlight; it is a vital combat tool that evolves significantly as you progress through EVE’s journey. To upgrade the drone, you must visit Lily at the Tetrapod in Xion or at any Supply Camp where she is present. Once you interact with Lily and select the upgrade option, navigate to the Drone tab to spend your gathered materials on new firing modes and utility features.
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This process is crucial because the base drone has very limited functionality. Upgrading it allows you to break enemy shields from a distance, scan larger areas for hidden loot, and hack high-security chests that are otherwise inaccessible. Without these improvements, you will struggle against airborne enemies and miss out on the valuable gear tucked away in the game’s more complex environments.
Essential Drone Upgrade Modules and Resource Locations
The primary currency for every drone enhancement is the Drone Upgrade Module. Unlike SP (Skill Points), which you earn through combat experience, these modules are physical items scattered throughout the world. You cannot purchase these with gold from standard vendors; you must scavenge them from the remains of broken drones or find them hidden within environmental puzzles. To access the upgrade menu, approach Lily at a camp, press the interaction button, and select the Drone tab. Each node in the tree will display a specific cost in modules, usually ranging from 1 to 5 per tier.
Where to Find Upgrade Modules Quickly
To maximize your drone’s potential early in the game, you need to keep a sharp eye out for small, hovering robots that try to flee when they spot EVE. These “loot bots” often drop multiple modules if you destroy them before they vanish. You should also prioritize searching these specific areas:
- Small Wooden and Metal Crates: These are often tucked behind destructible walls in Eidos 7 and the Wasteland.
- Deactivated Drone Bodies: Interact with yellow-lighted drones lying in corners; they almost always contain at least one module.
- Side Quest Rewards: Completing tasks for the citizens of Xion frequently rewards you with modules alongside gold.
- Hidden Alcoves: Use your drone’s scanner pulse frequently; modules are often placed just out of sight behind breakable crates or under stairs.
Keep in mind that higher-tier abilities, such as the Railgun or Enhanced Scanner, require a larger quantity of modules. It is wise to stockpile at least 10 modules before visiting Lily to ensure you can unlock a full upgrade chain in one go. If you are short on materials, focus on exploring the ruins of the Wasteland, as the density of loot bots is highest in that open-zone area.
Master Drone Upgrades in Stellar Blade: Your Essential Action Plan
In the desolate world of Stellar Blade, your drone is far more than just a hovering companion; it is a multi-functional tool essential for survival, exploration, and high-octane combat. Initially, your drone serves as a basic scanner, but as you progress through the Wasteland and beyond, it can be transformed into a devastating long-range weapon and a master hacking device. Following this guide is crucial because missing out on specific drone enhancements can leave you underpowered against the Naytiba threat and unable to access high-tier loot hidden behind encrypted locks. By systematically upgrading your drone, you ensure that Eve has the tactical advantage required to reclaim Earth.
Step 1: Progress the Narrative to Unlock Lily’s Services
What you need: Complete the “7th Airborne Squad” mission and reach the city of Xion.
Instructions: You cannot begin upgrading your drone the moment you land on Earth. You must first progress through the main story until you complete the Eidos 7 region and defeat the boss at the Memory Tower. This leads to your first encounter with Lily Artemis, the genius engineer of the 5th Airborne Squad. Once Lily joins your party and sets up her workspace at the Tetrapod in Xion, the “Drone Upgrade” menu becomes accessible. Simply speak to her or interact with her console at any Supply Camp later in the game. This narrative milestone is the hard gate that prevents early-game drone modifications, so focus on the primary objectives until Lily is officially part of your team.
Pro Tip: Don’t rush past side quests in Xion immediately after meeting Lily; some early side missions reward you with the materials needed for your very first set of upgrades.
Step 2: Scavenge for Drone Upgrade Modules
What you need: Thorough exploration skills and a keen eye for “small” robotic enemies.
Instructions: To purchase upgrades, you need a specific currency called “Drone Upgrade Modules.” Unlike standard gold or SP, these are found primarily in the game world. Look for small, non-aggressive robots that scurry away when they see you; destroying these “loot bots” is the most consistent way to earn modules. Additionally, keep an eye out for crates marked with a glowing yellow icon, often hidden behind destructible walls or at the end of platforming sequences. You will typically need between 3 to 8 modules per upgrade node, depending on the tier. Scouring the Wasteland and the Great Desert is essential, as these large open zones contain the bulk of the modules required to max out your drone’s capabilities.
Pro Tip: Listen for a high-pitched mechanical chirping sound; this indicates a loot bot is nearby. Use your scanner frequently to highlight their silhouettes through walls.
Step 3: Access a Supply Camp or the Tetrapod
What you need: A Vitcoin to activate a Supply Camp or fast travel back to Xion.
Instructions: While Lily is your primary technician, you don’t have to return to Xion every time you want an upgrade. Once Lily is in your party, every “Supply Camp” (the larger camps that require a Vitcoin to activate) features a terminal where you can access the Drone Upgrade menu. Approach the yellow console at the camp and select the “Drone” option. This will open a dedicated skill tree specifically for your mechanical companion. If you are currently in Xion, you can find Lily standing near the Tetrapod at the landing pad. Interaction here is free and provides the same menu, allowing you to spend your accumulated Drone Upgrade Modules on various enhancements.
Pro Tip: Always check for upgrades before entering a “Point of No Return” or a major boss arena, as the extra firepower can turn the tide of a difficult battle.
Step 4: Prioritize the Scanner Expansion
What you need: 3 Drone Upgrade Modules and access to Tier 1 upgrades.
Instructions: Your first priority should always be the Scanner expansion. In the Drone Upgrade menu, locate the nodes related to the “Scanner.” Upgrading this increases the duration of the scan pulse and significantly expands the radius of detection. This is the most practical upgrade for the early game because it allows you to spot hidden crates, collectibles, and enemy ambushes from a much safer distance. Specifically, look for the “Enhanced Scan” and “Bio-Map” nodes. By improving your scanning capabilities early on, you actually make finding subsequent Drone Upgrade Modules easier, creating a feedback loop that accelerates your overall progression and ensures you don’t miss any valuable Nano Suits or weapon materials.
Pro Tip: The Tier 2 Scanner upgrade allows you to see the health bars and elemental weaknesses of enemies before engaging, which is vital for tactical planning.
Step 5: Unlock and Upgrade the Hacking Tool
What you need: 5 Drone Upgrade Modules and access to the utility branch of the tree.
Instructions: As you explore the later regions of Eidos 7 and the Wasteland, you will encounter high-security crates that require a “Hacking Tool” to open. These crates often contain the most valuable resources, such as specialized cores for health and energy. Navigate to the utility section of the drone’s upgrade tree and invest in the Hacking Tool node. This allows the drone to interface with complex digital locks, initiating a mini-game that, once completed, grants access to the crate. Without this upgrade, you will be forced to backtrack significantly later in the game. Ensure you upgrade this to the maximum level to increase the timer for the hacking mini-game, making the sequences much more forgiving during high-pressure exploration.
Pro Tip: Some hacking sequences are tied to environmental puzzles that unlock short-cuts; having a high-level hacking tool is a major time-saver.
Step 6: Invest in Combat Firepower (The Gunner Mode)
What you need: 10+ Drone Upgrade Modules and progress into the mid-game (after the Wasteland’s first main objective).
Instructions: Eventually, Lily will modify the drone to function as a firearm. Once this is unlocked, the combat branch of the upgrade tree becomes the most important. You should focus on unlocking different ammo types: Slugs (standard), Stingers (homing missiles), and the Blaster (charged shots). Each node in this branch requires a significant number of modules. Start by increasing your “Max Ammo Capacity” for each type. In combat, you enter Gunner Mode by holding L2, and you can swap ammo types on the fly. Upgrading the “Rapid Fire” and “Railgun” nodes will allow you to deal massive damage to bosses from a distance, which is often safer than engaging in close-quarters parry-fights with aggressive Naytibas.
Pro Tip: The “Railgun” ammo is extremely effective at breaking enemy shields; prioritize this for encounters with heavily armored Elite Naytibas.
Step 7: Maximize Recharge and Efficiency
What you need: Advanced Drone Upgrade Modules and Tier 3 access.
Instructions: The final steps of drone mastery involve the “Efficiency” nodes. These upgrades reduce the energy consumption of your drone’s special abilities and decrease the cooldown between scan pulses. Look for the “Auto-Reload” or “Energy Recovery” skills in the tree. These ensure that during intense boss fights, you aren’t left defenseless when your ammo runs dry. At high levels, these upgrades allow the drone to automatically replenish a small portion of its ammo when Eve performs a “Perfect Parry” or “Perfect Dodge.” This creates a synergy between your melee combat and your ranged capabilities, allowing you to weave gunshots into your sword combos seamlessly without constantly scavenging for ammo drops.
Pro Tip: Combine the “Increased Magazine Size” with “Energy Recovery” to essentially have a bottomless clip during long-form boss encounters.
✅ Final Checklist
- Lily Artemis is successfully recruited and available at the Tetrapod or Supply Camps.
- The Scanner radius has been expanded to its maximum tier for optimal scavenging.
- The Hacking Tool is unlocked and upgraded to handle Level 3 security crates.
- All four ammo types (Slug, Stinger, Blaster, Railgun) are unlocked in the Combat tree.
- Maximum ammo capacity has been increased to ensure sustainability in long fights.
- Drone Upgrade Modules have been cleared from the inventory to maximize current stats.
Important Notes:
- Resource Management: Drone Upgrade Modules are finite in a single playthrough. While there are enough to max out the drone, prioritize your playstyle (combat vs. exploration) first.
- Ammo Availability: Remember that drone ammo must be purchased from vending machines or found in the world; it does not automatically refill at camps unless you have the “Refill” upgrade.
- Estimated Completion: Fully upgrading the drone typically takes about 25-35 hours of gameplay, depending on how much side exploration you perform in the open-world zones.
Analyzing the Drone Ability Tree: Combat vs. Utility
When you open the upgrade menu at Lily’s station, you will see a tree divided into two distinct paths: Combat and Utility. Because Drone Upgrade Modules are a finite resource in the early game, you must decide whether you want to focus on raw firepower or better exploration tools. Most players find that focusing on the scanner first pays off, as it helps you find the modules needed for the combat upgrades more quickly.
The Combat Path: Firepower and Ammo
The combat upgrades transform your drone from a simple scout into a lethal long-range weapon system. This is essential for dealing with flying Naytibas or specific boss mechanics that require precise shots at glowing weak points. The main combat nodes include:
- Slugging: Increases the base damage and impact of your standard projectiles.
- Missile Launchers: Unlocks a homing missile system that is perfect for crowd control when you are surrounded.
- Railgun: Provides high-piercing damage, which is the most effective way to break enemy armor from a distance.
- Magazine Capacity: Increases the amount of ammo the drone can carry before you need to rest at a camp or find a vending machine.
The Utility Path: Scanning and Hacking
If you prefer finding every secret, the utility side of the tree is your priority. These upgrades don’t directly kill enemies, but they make navigating the world much more efficient. The most valuable utility upgrade is the Enhanced Scanner. This increases the range and duration of your environment pings, highlighting chests, materials, and enemies through solid walls.
Another critical node is the Hacking Tool. This allows the drone to bypass security locks on advanced crates found in the later stages of Eidos 7 and the Great Desert. Without this specific upgrade, you will find yourself walking past some of the best Nano Suits and weapon enhancement materials in the game, forced to backtrack later once you finally visit Lily to spend your modules.
Benefits of Advanced Scanning and Hacking Capabilities
While most players focus on the drone’s firepower, its utility functions are what truly define your efficiency in the wasteland. Upgrading the drone’s sensory array transforms it from a simple flashlight into an essential scouting tool. In Stellar Blade, exploration is rewarded, and an advanced scanner ensures you never leave a valuable resource behind.
Mastering the Environment with Enhanced Scanning
The base scan is functional, but upgraded scanning provides a tactical map of your surroundings that is hard to play without once you’ve experienced it. Advanced modules increase the scan radius and duration, allowing you to spot hidden Naytiba and loot crates through solid walls. This is particularly useful in the sprawling ruins of Eidos 7 or the sandy dunes of the Great Desert.
- Enemy Detection: High-level scans highlight enemy weak points and shield status before you even engage.
- Resource Highlighting: Spot Nano Elements and Polymer Materials from a distance, saving you time during the gear-grind.
- Hidden Paths: Use the scanner to identify breakable walls or interactable levers that lead to secret Nano Suits and Exospines.
Overcoming Obstacles via Hacking Upgrades
You will frequently encounter high-security supply crates and sealed doors that require more than just a simple button press. Investing in the drone’s hacking capabilities simplifies the rhythmic mini-games associated with these locks. This isn’t just a quality-of-life improvement; it is a gateway to the game’s best equipment. Many “Tier 3” crates are virtually impossible to open without these upgrades, as the timer is too unforgiving for standard drones.
Comparing Drone Ammo Types for Optimal Boss Strategy
Once you’ve unlocked the various weapon modules, the drone becomes a legitimate long-range threat. Knowing which ammo type to use against specific Naytiba bosses can be the difference between a frustrating defeat and a flawless victory. The drone allows Eve to maintain pressure even when she needs to back off and heal.
Precision and Power: Slugs and Blasters
The standard Blaster is your bread and butter, offering rapid-fire capabilities that chip away at an enemy’s health. However, the Slug Shot is the true star for tactical players. It provides high impact and can frequently stagger smaller bosses, interrupting their “unblockable” (yellow glow) attacks. If you find a boss is too aggressive to approach, a well-timed Slug Shot can create the opening you need for a heavy melee combo.
- Blaster: Best for clearing out flying pests and maintaining the stagger bar from a distance.
- Slug Shot: High stagger value; use it to knock bosses out of dangerous wind-up animations.
- Explosive Shells: Ideal for bosses with physical shields or armor plating that needs to be shattered early in the fight.
Tactical Utility: Stingers and Spread Shot
For more mobile threats, the Stinger (missile system) is invaluable. These projectiles have a tracking component, making them perfect for fast-moving bosses like the Stalker or Corruptor who rarely stay in one spot. Conversely, the Spread Shot acts like a futuristic shotgun. While it has limited range, it is devastating against large-bodied Naytiba. If a boss has multiple hitboxes or “limbs” that can be destroyed, the Spread Shot will hit several targets at once, maximizing your damage output per cell.
Conclusion
Upgrading your drone in Stellar Blade is just as important as mastering Eve’s swordplay. By focusing on advanced scanning, you ensure no secret goes undiscovered, while the right ammo upgrades turn a support tool into a boss-slaying machine. The drone bridges the gap between exploration and combat, providing the tactical edge needed to survive the toughest encounters in the game.
Next Steps: Prioritize finding Drone Upgrade Modules in hidden chests and make it a habit to visit Lily whenever you return to a camp. Experiment with different ammo types against the training dummies to see which firing mode fits your personal combat rhythm. Don’t let your drone sit idle—keep it upgraded and keep the Naytiba at bay!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Drone Upgrade Modules most commonly found?
These modules are typically tucked away in small, yellow-lit crates or carried by small ‘loot’ robots that run away when spotted. Exploration in Eidos 7 and the Wasteland is key to finding enough for early upgrades.
How do I unlock the different gun modes for the drone?
The drone gun itself is a story-related unlock, but specific firing modes like the Railgun or Stinger must be purchased in the upgrade menu using Drone Upgrade Modules once Lily is available.
Is it possible to max out the drone in a single playthrough?
Yes, there are more than enough Drone Upgrade Modules scattered throughout the world to fully upgrade every branch of the drone’s skill tree before reaching the endgame.
How do hacking upgrades affect gameplay?
Hacking upgrades allow the drone to bypass security on locked chests that require a d-pad input mini-game. Higher levels of hacking make these mini-games easier or allow access to rare crates.
Do drone upgrades carry over to New Game Plus?
Yes, all drone abilities and upgrades carry over into New Game Plus, allowing you to maintain your combat and scanning capabilities from the start of a new run.
Which combat upgrade should I prioritize for bosses?
The Railgun is highly recommended for boss fights as it deals significant shield damage and can knock enemies out of certain animations, provided you have the ammo capacity upgraded.
