Conquer Xion with These 15 Stellar Blade Starter Tips

Stellar Blade throws you headfirst into a breathtaking sci-fi world brimming with slick combat, cryptic puzzles, and a whole lot of robot smashing. Surviving as Eve, Earth's last hope, demands skill and strategy. Consider this your essential survival kit for navigating the dangers of Xion and carving a path towards humanity's future.

1. Scan Like Your Life Depends On It (Because It Might)

Your drone isn't just for show. Mash that DualSense touchpad like a caffeine-fueled button masher to reveal hidden enemies, loot crates brimming with goodies, upgrade points, and interactive objects. Trust us, those ledges and traversal paths aren't going to highlight themselves.

2. Rest and Respawn: A Delicate Dance

Legion Camps offer respite, sweet tunes, and skill upgrades. Supply Camps grant fast travel, unlockables, and valuable perks. But beware! Resting, while restoring your health and consumables, also resurrects those pesky enemies. Choose your naptime wisely.

3. Payphones: Your Pocket-Sized Teleporters

Think of payphones as Xion's fast-travel system. Swipe up on the DualSense touchpad to access maps and zip between zones. But be warned: not all areas are mapped. Memorize those compact "corridor worlds"—getting lost is less fun than a Naytiba ambush.

4. Upgrade Eve: From Survivor to Super Saiyan

Eve's power lies in your hands. Skill Points (SP) unlock and reset skills. Body/Beta/Weapon Cores boost health, energy (your mana pool), and attack power. Tumbler Enhancements increase healing flasks, while Gears and Exospine offer unique boosts. Upgrade strategically to create the ultimate warrior.

5. Master the Art of the Blade (and Energy Management)

String together devastating combos, unleash powerful skills, and manage your Beta Energy like a pro. Running out of juice mid-fight is about as fun as hugging a Naytiba. SP Initializers allow you to respec your skill tree – experiment and find the perfect build for your playstyle. And don't forget those Burst Skills; they're your ticket to obliterating tougher foes.

6. Unlock the Skills That'll Keep You Alive (and Kicking Butt)

Prioritize these life-saving (and enemy-ending) skills:

• Perfect Parry: Counterattack with devastating force.

• Perfect Dodge: Evade attacks and open up riposte opportunities.

• Retribution: Shatter enemy defenses and unleash a world of hurt.

• Ambush: One-hit kills from the shadows? Yes, please.

• Action Assist: Enable QTE prompts for a helping hand during intense battles.

7. Drone Warfare: Rain Death From Above

Unlock your drone's firearm capabilities early on and turn it into a flying death machine. Experiment with different ammo types (hold Down on the D-pad) for varied effects. Nothing says "dominance" like a drone raining laser fire on unsuspecting robots.

8. WB-Pumps: Your Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card

These revival items are your insurance policy against permadeath. They won't replenish your consumables, but they'll save you from restarting after a particularly brutal encounter. Keep them handy for those "oh crap" moments.

9. Crack the Code: Loot Awaits

Locked containers hold valuable rewards, but opening them requires skill. Master the Breach (sequence-based D-pad minigame) and Press (grid-based timing puzzle). For Passcodes, scour the environment for clues and consult your Codex for hints.

10. Loot Robots: They're Full of Surprises (and Explosions)

Chase down those Loot Robots! Destroying them yields valuable resources, upgrades, and juicy lore entries. Just remember to keep your distance after the final blow – they tend to go out with a bang.

11. Side Quests and Bounties: Your Path to Riches (and Glory)

Side quests (marked with exclamation points) and Xion's bulletin board bounties offer substantial rewards, including rare items and powerful upgrades. Plus, many quests allow instant teleportation back to NPCs upon completion, saving you precious time.

12. Shop 'Til You Drop (and Unlock Sweet Gear)

Building vendor affinity unlocks new inventory items, from stylish earrings and powerful upgrades to killer outfits. Kaya at the Sisters Junk Shop is your go-to for upgraded accessories. So, spend those Odors and reap the rewards.

13. Fashion Forward: Dress to Kill

Unlock dozens of nano suits and hairstyles to customize Eve's look. While purely cosmetic, looking good while saving humanity is a must. Don't forget about Adam and Lily – they deserve fashionable threads too.

14. Explore Every Nook and Cranny: Secrets Abound

Collect cans (because who doesn't love a good space soda?), solve puzzles (those Xion math problems are surprisingly rewarding), and uncover hidden areas teeming with secrets and quests. Thorough exploration is key to unlocking Stellar Blade's hidden treasures.

15. Combat Zone Mastery: Dance with Death

Naytibas are masters of ambush. Scan frequently to avoid nasty surprises. Exploit the guard meter to stagger enemies and create openings for critical hits. Mix melee, ranged attacks, and parries to keep your foes on their toes (or whatever appendages they have).

Ready to Reclaim Earth?

With these tips in your arsenal, you're ready to face the challenges of Stellar Blade. Master the combat, unravel the mysteries of Xion, and lead humanity back to its rightful home. Good luck, Eve. The fate of Earth rests on your shoulders.