How to get the Stellar Blade gun and ranged weapons

Stellar Blade gun
(Image credit: Sony)

Stellar Blade guns and ranged weapons aren't available right from the start of the game as you need a specific upgrade for your drone which isn't unlocked until you're in Xion. At first, Eve's drone is only able to fire standard slug rounds, but later on you can unlock laser and missiles to enhance its firepower.

Thankfully, the specific mission you need to complete isn't too far into the game, but given how much guns are teased early on, you might be wondering if you missed an opportunity to use one. Here's how you can get a gun in Stellar Blade, so you can support your swordplay with bullets and bring a gun to a knife fight.

How to get ranged weapons and guns in Stellar Blade

Stellar Blade gun

(Image credit: Sony)

To get a gun in Stellar Blade, as well as other ranged weapons, players need to progress the main story to a certain point: to a quest called "Xion, the Last Remaining City". I won't spoil it but there's a point in this quest where you'll be told to "go to the Safehouse" so you can talk to Adam. When you get there, you'll be given an upgrade to your Drone that now allows it to double as a firearm, activated by holding L2 and pressing R2 to fire. 

This is a free and permanent upgrade to your abilities, but it's not the end of it - from that point on, the Repair Console will also allow you to upgrade the Drone and add new fire options. Aside from the standard slugs, Eve can also equip the Drone with a charging laser, homing stinger missiles, shotgun shells, and more besides, including the Stellar Blade hacking tool.

Stellar Blade gun

(Image credit: Sony)

The important thing to keep in mind is that your gun's ammo is limited and will need regular replenishing, either through enemy ammo drops, purchases at vending machines, or through the occasional device specifically for replenishing ammunition. Use the gun sparingly, especially in tandem with certain Stellar Blade skills and abilities that reveal weak points on enemies designed to be shot for massive damage.

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Joel Franey
Guides Writer

Joel Franey is a writer, journalist, podcaster and raconteur with a Masters from Sussex University, none of which has actually equipped him for anything in real life. As a result he chooses to spend most of his time playing video games, reading old books and ingesting chemically-risky levels of caffeine. He is a firm believer that the vast majority of games would be improved by adding a grappling hook, and if they already have one, they should probably add another just to be safe. You can find old work of his at USgamer, Gfinity, Eurogamer and more besides.