Finding every last collectible in a massive open-world game can feel like a second job. Honestly, when Shift Up announced the NieR: Automata DLC for Stellar Blade, I figured we’d just be buying outfits with gold or Vitcoins.
Instead, they gave us Stellar Blade stellar tears.
These things are weird, glowing bits of data scattered across the Wasteland and the Great Desert. They aren't just for show. If you want Eve to look like 2B or A2, you basically have no choice but to hunt these down. There are 15 in total, and while some are sitting right in the open, others are tucked away behind platforming puzzles that will genuinely test your patience.
What Are Stellar Tears Anyway?
If you haven’t started the DLC yet, you might be wondering why your inventory is empty. Stellar tears are a specific currency used exclusively at Emil’s Shop. If you remember Emil from NieR, he’s that creepy but lovable rolling head shopkeeper. In Stellar Blade, he roams around the two main open-world maps.
To even see these tears, you’ve got to have the DLC installed. Once it's active, Eve gets a notification about strange signals. These signals lead to the tears. Each tear has a specific designation—like #AC6258B or #AJ4875L—which makes them sound like some sort of industrial serial number.
You’ll need these to buy:
- Four different Nanosuits for Eve (including the iconic 2B and A2 outfits).
- New hairstyles.
- Cosmetics for Adam, Lily, and the Drone.
If you’re a completionist, you need all 15. No leftovers.
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Tracking Them Down in the Wasteland
The Wasteland holds eight of the fifteen tears. Most people find the first one near the dilapidated ship in the southwest. It’s sitting on the ground near the rear section. Simple enough, right?
It gets harder.
There’s one north of the Solar Tower inside a cave. You’ll find a giant tree surrounded by water; the tear is on a ledge to the west. If you’re like me and hate dark caves where Naytibas jump out at you, this one is a bit of a localized nightmare.
Another tricky one is near D1G-g2r’s Scrap Yard. You have to climb a stack of blue containers near the entrance to reach an upper platform. If you miss the jump, you’re just running circles in the dirt.
The most "hidden in plain sight" one has to be the tear near the Solar Tower railing. You’re usually so focused on the tower itself or the enemies nearby that you just walk right past it. It’s sitting right on the edge of the panel field, hugging the yellow railings.
The Great Desert Hunt
Once you move to the Great Desert, the remaining seven Stellar Blade stellar tears become your priority. This map is bigger and the verticality is more annoying.
The tear at the Buried Ruins is a perfect example. You have to go into the Opera House—that big dome building—and use moving "platform bots" to descend. You ride one down, hop to a ledge, then ride another one. It’s a lot of waiting for slow machinery. The tear eventually shows up between the audience seats.
Then there's the Oasis tear. It’s near a palm tree west of the water. Sounds easy, but there’s usually a giant, floating octopus-looking Naytiba nearby.
Don't ignore the rooftops. One tear is located in the Crumbling Rooftop area. You have to climb a ladder near a neon sign and parkour across several buildings until you find it sitting on a blue crate. If you fall, you’re taking a lot of chip damage or worse, resetting at the nearest camp.
Why Emil’s Shop Is Such a Pain
Finding the tears is only half the battle. Then you have to find the shop. Emil doesn't just sit still like Roxanne in Xion. He moves.
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In the Wasteland, he usually circles the central area. You’ll hear his iconic, slightly manic music before you see him. In the Great Desert, he’s often near the larger ruins.
I’ve seen people complain that the shop doesn't trigger. Usually, this is because you're in combat. The game is very strict about this; if a stray Naytiba is chasing you, Emil won't talk to you. Clean up the area first.
Making Sense of the Serial Numbers
Every tear has a unique ID in your Data Bank. It’s kinda cool because the game actually gives you "pictured clues" once you unlock the DLC quest.
For instance, Tear #AN1632R is the one by the Angel Statue near the Twin Rocks. If you look at the photo in your menu, you can usually piece together the landmarks.
The developers at Shift Up clearly wanted us to explore the nooks and crannies they spent so much time building. It’s not just a "fetch quest"—it’s a guided tour of the post-apocalyptic scenery.
Actionable Steps for the Perfect Run
If you want to get these as fast as possible without losing your mind, follow this order:
- Check the Quest Board: Make sure you've picked up the initial DLC lead in Xion.
- Clear the Wasteland first: It’s easier to navigate and the platforming is less lethal.
- Use the Scanner: Eve’s drone scanner is your best friend. It highlights the tears with a distinct glow, even through some walls.
- Visit the Hairdresser: If you buy a hairstyle from Emil, you still have to go to the salon in Xion to actually apply it.
- Don't skip the "Sunset" sign: In the East Wasteland, there's a sign that says "Sunset." The tear is right under it. It’s one of the easiest to miss because it looks like background clutter.
By the time you collect the 15th tear, you’ll have enough to buy out Emil’s entire inventory. It’s a one-and-done deal. Once you have the outfits, you can focus on the New Game Plus variants or just enjoy the fact that Eve finally has the YorHa look.
Start your search at the Wasteland Solar Tower and work your way clockwise around the map boundaries. This ensures you hit the cliff-side tears before moving into the central scrap plains.