Stellar Blade is one of the more polarizing releases of the last few years. Fortunately, with all the negative attention the release is getting there’s a phenomenal game underneath for players to find. The best way to think about Stellar Blade is that it’s an action RPG in the same vein as Nier: Automata with Soulslike elements. Those Dark Souls elements are to blame for a lot of the game’s challenges and if you’re not ready for it you’re liable to have a bad time. CheatCC has you covered with this definitive guide on the best gear in Stellar Blade. Be wary of some light spoilers below.
©Screenshot of Xion in Stellar Blade
Speed Increase Gear
| Gear Stats | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Increases Attack Speed by 10% / 12.5% / 15% | You can find the one-star variant in the Underground City Sector. There is a container in front of the person with the first floodgate key which contains the gear. The two-star variant can be found in Matrix 11. Along the railroad tracks behind one of the Hive creatures there is a container. Inside of it is the gear. The final variant drops from the late-game boss, Unidentified Naytiba. |
The Speed Increase Gear is a little bit of a misnomer. It specifically increases EVE’s attack speed stat instead of her movement speed. Being able to attack faster is perfect for those who want a more aggressive playstyle out of the game. Coupling this gear with the gear that boosts EVE’s critical attack rate can create a shredding offensive build.
Protection Gear
| Gear Stats | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Decreases Damage taken from enemies by 4.5% / 6.5% / 8 % | The one-star variant is dropped by the first boss in the game after the tutorial, Abaddon. The two-star variant can be purchased from Kaya’s shop in the game’s hub city, Xion. The third variant is received from Enya after saving Burning Xion. You receive the gear by talking to Enya, as long as you finish her questline before the point of no return. There are some additional requirements to receive the gear but as of writing, they are unknown. To make sure you receive this gear, I would do every sidequest and request in the game. |
As you get used to the precise gameplay of Stellar Blade some extra resistances can only be beneficial. Some players might prefer the anxiety-inducing combat but those looking for a more relaxed experience should take advantage of the many defensive-oriented gear options.
Shield Penetration Gear
| Gear Stats | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Increases Shield Penetration by 9% / 13%/ 16% | The one-star variant is dropped by the Altess Levoire boss, Maelstrom. The second variant is sold by Kaya in Xion. The third variant is dropped by Raven after defeating her in the end game. |
Attacking an enemy’s Shield meter is important to dealing damage in Stellar Blade. With the right skills and right gear, you can quickly cleave through an enemy’s shield and health bar. Pair this gear with gear that increases the damage of Beta Skills, like Shield Breaker and you can completely trivialize the game.
Fixed Damage Gear
| Gear Stats | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Adds 65, 85, 110 Bonus Fixed Damage on hit to combos | The one-star variant is found in Eidos 7, on Silent Street. Right after you exit the parking garage, make a right and another right. Follow the path straight to the end and you’ll find the gear inside an arrow puzzle chest. The two-star variant is found in the Wasteland on the way to Altess Levoire. There’s a shortcut area to the left of Altess Levoire’s entrance, there’s a path that leads you to an upper part of the rocky mountains. Following this path leads to the chest that holds the variant. This chest is protected by 3 mobs and a tentacle. The third-star variant is dropped by the late-game boss in Spire 4, Karakuri. |
Sometimes you just want to deal more damage and this piece of gear has you covered. If dealing more damage is all you care about then you can equip all three of these options for a whopping 260 bonus damage on hit. I would argue that the benefits of other gear eclipses this one in the long run but sometimes more damage is enough.
Perfect Combat Gear
| Gear Stats | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Increases attack power by 7% / 9.5% / 11.5% when HP is high | The one-star variant is dropped by Wasteland boss, Brute. The two-star variant is sold by Kaya in Xion. The three-star variant is found in the end-game location Spire 4. In the Orca Space Complex, after stopping the waterfall and moving inside with a passcode, you will find a section with a crumbling floor before you jump the first gap. The chest holding this variant will be to your left. |
The previous Bonus Fixed Damage gear applies its benefits to the combos you use. This gear makes all of your attacks stronger as long as your health is high. This is perfect for those who have mastered Stellar Blade‘s combat. Stellar Blade already has fans posting their no-hit runs on YouTube and I guarantee they are running this equipment.
Risk-Taking Gear
| Gear Stats | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Increases attack power by 9% / 12% / 14% when HP is low | The one-star variant is found in Xion in a chest hidden behind the bar. The two-star variant is sold by Kaya in Xion. The last variant is found in the late-game Spire 4 area. In the High Orbit Station, after the elevator stops and take you to the final camp, there are two chests in the vertical section with ledges. The one below contains the gear. |
On the opposite side of the spectrum is the Risk Taking Gear. This gear’s attack increase is better than the other one and I would argue its skill expression is higher too. Keeping yourself at low health can be a death sentence but gamers who love that high-risk high-reward gameplay will love this gear. Equip all of them for a huge boost in damage.
Burst Charge Gear
| Gear Stats | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Gain 16%, 22%, 25% Bonus Burst Energy Recharge | You can expect to find the one-star variant in Matrix 11’s Rail Yard. It is dropped by the Stalker boss. The second-star variant is found in Abyss Levoire. It is dropped by the Maelstrom boss. The third-star variant is found in the Spire 4’s Space Logistics Complex. In the section with the lasers and conveyor belts, when you get to the second belt go upward against the flow. At the top and to the right is the chest containing the gear. |
Stellar Blade‘s Burst skills are the strongest in the game. Being able to spam them can completely trivialize the game’s difficulty even in hard mode. This gear is important for those who prefer to use big flashy moves to obliterate enemies. Pair this with Beta Recovery Gear and EVE becomes a special spamming monster.
Beta Recovery Gear
| Gear Stats | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Increase Beta Energy Recharge proportional to damage taken by 2, 3, 4 | The one-star variant is found in the Wasteland. It is dropped by the Corrupter boss. The two-star variant is sold by Kaya in Xion. The last variant is found in the Spire 4’s Space Logistics Complex. After the second battle with Belial, when you progress to the next area. Directly to your left after exiting the gates is the Beta Recovery Gear. |
Similar to the Burst skills, the Beta skills are also very strong. You gain access to them earlier than the Burst skills and they can be helpful if you haven’t grasped parrying or dodging yet. Timing them perfectly can cause you to interrupt enemy combos and special attacks providing you a window to heal. This gear should not be overlooked.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Stellar Blade Key Art.