In Ghost Recon Breakpoint, the drone is one of the most versatile tools at your disposal, serving as your eyes in the sky for reconnaissance, target marking, and even coordinated attacks. Modeled after real-world UAVs and quadcopters, the in-game drone mimics advanced flight technology like GPS navigation and sensors for enemy detection. Mastering it can turn the tide in solo or co-op missions on the vast island of Auroa. This guide breaks down everything from deployment to advanced tactics, drawing parallels to real drone operations in aerial filmmaking and surveillance.
Whether you’re infiltrating enemy bases or scouting from afar, the drone’s FPV camera feed provides immersive control, much like piloting a micro drone. Let’s dive into the essentials.
Unlocking and Preparing Your Drone
Before launching your drone, ensure it’s ready for action. In Ghost Recon Breakpoint, drones are available early but require upgrades for maximum effectiveness.
Meeting the Prerequisites
You’ll gain access to the basic drone during the prologue mission, but to unlock advanced models like the enhanced recon drone, complete early story quests and reach player level 5. Visit Maria Schulz at Erewhon for blueprint rewards. These blueprints allow crafting at weapon benches, similar to customizing real drone setups with controllers and batteries.
Stock up on drone batteries—they’re consumable and deplete quickly during extended flights. Collect them from supply crates or enemy outposts. Upgrading battery life via the skills menu extends flight time, akin to swapping high-capacity packs on racing drones.
Equipping and Customizing
Head to your loadout menu (Tab on PC, Options on consoles) and slot the drone into your secondary gadget. Customize with perks like increased scan range or stealth mode. For real-world parallels, this is like attaching a gimbal camera for stable footage or propellers for better agility.
Pro tip: Pair it with a suppressor on your primary weapon to stay hidden while the drone scouts ahead. Apps like the in-game tactical map enhance this, much like drone control apps for waypoint planning.
Deploying and Basic Flight Controls
Once equipped, deploying the drone is straightforward, offering intuitive controls that echo real flight technology.
Launching the Drone
Hold the gadget button (G on PC, Down D-Pad on consoles) to deploy. The drone ascends to 50 meters automatically, entering FPV mode where you control it via the right stick (movement) and left trigger (altitude). It hovers silently, using stabilization systems to maintain position against Auroa’s winds.
Flight time starts at 90 seconds but can reach 5 minutes with upgrades. Watch the HUD timer—recall it early with the deploy button to conserve battery, just like managing power on a DJI Mavic in the field.
Mastering Flight Maneuvers
- Forward/Backward/Strafe: Right stick tilts the drone smoothly, ideal for circling patrols.
- Ascend/Descend: Left trigger up/down for height adjustments, crucial for peeking over ridges.
- Night Vision/Thermal Toggle: Cycle modes (default, NVG, thermal) to spot foes in low light, mirroring thermal cameras on professional drones.
Practice in free roam to avoid crashes into terrain—obstacle avoidance isn’t perfect in-game, much like entry-level real drones. Use the mini-map for orientation, enhanced by navigation overlays.
Reconnaissance and Scanning Mechanics
The drone shines in intel gathering, leveraging cameras & imaging tech to reveal hidden threats.
Scanning Enemies and Objectives
Activate scan (right trigger hold) to pulse a detection wave, highlighting enemies in white outlines for 10 seconds. Upgraded scans pierce walls and extend range, like optical zoom lenses spotting details from afar.
Scan vehicles, turrets, and alarms too—they glow for easy sabotage. In multiplayer, shared scans help teammates, simulating team-based remote sensing ops.
Marking Targets for Sync Shots
Hold the mark button (R on PC) on scanned enemies to tag up to four for sync shots. With skilled crew or AI companions, execute a flawless takedown. This feature draws from real AI follow mode, where drones autonomously track subjects.
Marks last 30 seconds; refresh as needed. Combine with ground syncs for silent clears, perfect for mapping enemy layouts before assault.
Advanced Tactics and Drone Synergies
Elevate your gameplay with pro-level strategies, blending drone use with other gadgets.
Sync Shot and Knockout Combos
Link drone marks to prone sync shots for non-lethal takedowns. Upgrade “Remote Takedown” in skills for drone-only KOs, a nod to autonomous flight precision.
In raids, deploy the drone to hack terminals from safety—fly close and interact, evading guards with quick strafes.
Countering Drone Jammers and Wolves
Enemy jammers (red icons) disrupt control; destroy them first or use EMP grenades. Wolves with anti-drone guns force recalls—stay high and scan from 100m+. Real-world equivalent: sensors detecting interference in contested airspace.
Co-op tip: One player drones while others flank, creating cinematic shots of synchronized chaos.
Integration with Other Gear
Pair with cases for quick redeploys or jump packs for hybrid scouting. In stealth builds, drone first to clear paths, then infiltrate.
Essential Tips, Tricks, and Real-World Parallels
Maximize efficiency with these hacks:
- Battery Management: Always carry spares; craft at benches using scavenged parts.
- Stealth Flying: Fly low behind cover; thermal mode reveals heat signatures.
- Creative Paths: Use drone for flight paths over cliffs, spotting loot inaccessible on foot.
- Upgrades Priority: Focus on scan range, battery, and sync slots first.
| Upgrade | Benefit | Real Drone Analog |
|---|---|---|
| Scan Range | Detects farther | 4K high-res cameras |
| Battery Life | Longer flights | Extended batteries |
| Stealth Mode | Reduced noise | Quiet propellers |
| Wall Pierce | Sees through cover | Advanced FPV systems |
Translating to reality, Ghost Recon Breakpoint’s drone teaches core skills for operating quadcopters in surveillance or aerial filmmaking. Practice safe flying, respect no-fly zones, and invest in quality gear like GoPro Hero mounts for epic footage.
By honing these mechanics, you’ll dominate Auroa and appreciate the tech powering modern drones. Experiment in different biomes—dense forests demand low-altitude finesse, while open fields suit high-speed racing drones style zips.