In Stellar Blade, the Drone serves as Eve’s indispensable companion, offering scanning capabilities, resource detection, and hacking support throughout your journey across post-apocalyptic landscapes. Upgrading this versatile UAV-like gadget isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for tackling tougher Naytiba foes, uncovering hidden collectibles, and streamlining exploration. Whether you’re boosting its sensor range for better obstacle avoidance or enhancing its data processing for faster scans, mastering Drone upgrades will elevate your gameplay.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know: from unlocking the Drone’s potential to sourcing rare materials and executing upgrades efficiently. By the end, you’ll have a fully optimized Drone ready for autonomous flight-esque operations in the game’s vast open zones.
Unlocking and Activating the Drone
Before diving into upgrades, you must first acquire and activate the Drone. Early in Stellar Blade, after crash-landing in the Eidos 7 region, you’ll encounter the Drone during the main storyline in the Contaminated Area. It’s tucked away in a derelict facility, guarded by basic Naytiba enemies. Defeat them, interact with the console, and Lily—the Orbital Knight’s AI—will remotely activate it.
Once online, the Drone hovers faithfully behind Eve, its quadcopter-inspired design humming with potential. Initial capabilities include basic scanning for resources and enemies within a limited radius, akin to a real-world FPV drone with entry-level sensors. To access upgrades, head to your first Camp—a safe hub established after the Xion visit. Here, you’ll find the Repair Console, the heart of all Drone enhancements.
Pro Tip: Don’t ignore side paths in Eidos 7. Early resource caches here provide your first taste of upgrade mats, setting you up for quick progression.
Initial Setup Steps
- Complete the “Retrieval” mission to gain Drone access.
- Visit the first Camp in the Wasteland.
- Interact with the Repair Console (marked by a holographic Drone icon).
- Scan for the Basic Scan Module upgrade—costs minimal materials but unlocks resource highlighting.
With the Drone active, exploration feels more dynamic, much like piloting a micro drone through urban ruins.
Gathering Essential Upgrade Materials
Upgrades demand specific materials, scavenged from the world or purchased in Xion. Think of this as stocking up on drone batteries, propellers, and sensors for a custom build. Key resources include:
- Smart Nano Elements: Common drops from dismantling Naytiba corpses or crates. Used for entry-level boosts.
- Nano Elements: Mid-tier mats from elite enemies and hidden stashes.
- Polymers: Rare, found in industrial zones like the Tetrapod or Altess Levoire.
- Hyper Cells: Endgame fuel, looted from bosses or bought with Vitcoins in Xion.
Farming spots evolve with progression:
- Eidos 7 Wasteland: Grind small Naytiba packs for Smart Nano Elements.
- Matrix 11: High yield of Polymers amid laser traps—perfect for honing navigation skills.
- Spire 4: Hyper Cell hotspots post-story unlock.
Efficient Farming Strategies:
- Use the Drone’s scan pre-upgrade to tag material nodes.
- Dismantle excess gear at Camps for bonus Nano Elements.
- Trade with Xion vendors like Kaya or the Scrap Dealer—prioritize Polymer stock.
Stockpile 200+ of each common mat before major upgrades. This mirrors real drone accessories prep, ensuring your UAV is always flight-ready.
The Upgrade Process at Repair Consoles
All Drone upgrades happen exclusively at Camp Repair Consoles, available in every major hub (Wasteland, Xion Outskirts, Great Desert, etc.). Approach the glowing terminal, select “Drone Upgrade,” and preview options. Each tier unlocks progressively, with costs scaling exponentially.
Step-by-Step Upgrade Guide
- Enter Camp and Locate Console: Fast-travel via Tetrapod for efficiency.
- Select Upgrade Tree: Three branches—Scan, Hack, and Supply.
- Scan Upgrades: Expand detection radius (up to 50m), add enemy weakness reveals. Max level: Advanced Sensor Suite (like GPS integration).
- Hack Upgrades: Faster terminal breaches, drone-deployed EMP bursts. Ideal for obstacle avoidance in secured areas.
- Supply Upgrades: Auto-drops health kits, ammo refills. Emulates AI follow mode.
- Confirm Materials: Console highlights shortages—farm immediately if red.
- Apply and Test: Upgrades instant; Drone beeps confirmation. Test in nearby zones.
Tiered Progression Table:
| Tier | Scan Upgrade | Cost | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basic Range | 10 Smart Nano | 20m radius |
| 2 | Weakness Scan | 20 Nano + 5 Polymer | Reveals vulnerabilities |
| 3 | Advanced Suite | 50 Nano + 20 Polymer | 50m + resource pings |
| Max | Elite Sensors | 100 Hyper Cell | Full stabilization systems |
Repeat for other branches. Prioritize Scan first for farming efficiency, then Hack for puzzles.
Camps upgrade too—later ones like in the Abyss Levoire offer premium slots for simultaneous upgrades.
Optimal Upgrade Paths and Advanced Tips
Prioritizing upgrades depends on playstyle. Exploration-focused Eves max Scan early; combat mains chase Hack/Supply synergy.
Recommended Build Orders
- Explorer Build: Scan Tier 3 > Supply Tier 2 > Hack Tier 1. Turns Drone into a mapping powerhouse.
- Combat Build: Hack Tier 3 > Scan Tier 2 > Supply Max. EMP hacks stun groups, mimicking racing drones agility.
- NG+ God-Tier: All maxed + Exospine synergies for Drone auto-deploy in beta skills.
Advanced Tactics:
- Synergy with Eve’s Gear: Pair Drone scans with Tachyon Slash for one-shot weak points.
- Hidden Upgrades: Post-game, revisit Spire 4 for secret Overclock Module—boosts all stats 20% but drains battery faster (manage via Supplies).
- Common Pitfalls: Don’t overspend on Supply early; it’s useless without Scan intel. Avoid low-stock upgrades mid-mission—backtrack kills momentum.
- Real-World Parallels: Upgrading here feels like tuning a gimbal camera drone—iterative tweaks for cinematic shots.
In New Game Plus, materials respawn, enabling rapid max-outs. Experiment with Drone-only challenges: rely solely on its drops for survival.
Maximizing Drone Potential in Late Game
By endgame, a maxed Drone transforms Stellar Blade into a seamless experience. It auto-pings thermal heat signatures on bosses, hacks distant drones for intel, and sustains Eve through marathons. In the final siege on the Elder Naytiba, its Elite Sensors reveal phase shifts seconds early.
Post-Story Perks:
- Free material refills at final Camp.
- Cosmetic skins via design patterns (pure flair, like FPV systems wraps).
- Photo Mode integration: Drone poses for epic aerial filmmaking shots.
Track progress via Camp logs—100% Drone mastery unlocks the “Sky Companion” trophy. For tech enthusiasts, this system echoes remote sensing innovations, blending RPG depth with UAV realism.
Upgrading the Drone isn’t grindy—it’s rewarding progression that mirrors building your dream quadcopter. Farm smart, upgrade strategically, and watch your Drone evolve from sidekick to superstar. Now, deploy it and conquer the stars.