You're running through the red-tinted dust of the Wasteland, dodging a Lurker or maybe just trying to find where the hell that one specific camp is, when you see it. A tiny, glowing flicker. It’s a Stellar Blade butterfly in the wasteland, and if you’re anything like me, your first instinct is to drop everything and chase it. These things are basically the game's way of dangling a carrot in front of your nose, except the carrot is usually a Nano Suit or a much-needed upgrade material.
Most people think these are just simple collectibles. They aren't. They’re environmental puzzles that test how well you actually understand EVE’s movement mechanics and the verticality of Shift Up’s level design. If you miss them, you’re leaving power on the table. Honestly, the Wasteland is a massive, sprawling mess of a map, and finding every single one of these shimmering bugs is a chore if you don't know the specific triggers. Some only appear when you're standing on a specific rock. Others require you to solve a nearby physics puzzle first. It’s a lot.
Why the Stellar Blade butterfly in the wasteland matters for your build
Let's be real: you aren't chasing these for the scenery. The primary reason you care about finding a Stellar Blade butterfly in the wasteland is the loot. These things are the gatekeepers for high-tier rewards. We're talking about Advanced Polymer Material, Extreme Polymer Material, and—most importantly—Nano Suit design patterns.
If you want EVE to look like something other than a basic recruit, you need those patterns. The Wasteland is home to several of these, including the ones that drop the "Cybernetic Bondage" suit or the "Sporty Yellow" outfit. Beyond the fashion, these butterflies often lead you toward hidden chests that contain Weapon Cores or Gear Expansion Modules. If you're playing on Hard mode, skipping these isn't really an option unless you enjoy hitting bosses with a wet noodle.
The game doesn't give you a map marker for these. You have to listen for that high-pitched chiming sound. It’s distinct. Once you hear it, you know a butterfly is nearby. But here is the kicker: they have a very short leash. If you don't follow them fast enough, they vanish.
The trickiest locations and how to actually trigger them
The Wasteland is divided into several sub-regions: the Scrap Plains, the Forbidden Area, the Great Canyon, and the Central Light Tower area. Each has its own set of butterflies.
The Scrap Plains Ambush
One of the first ones you’ll likely encounter is in the Scrap Plains, near the entrance from Xion. It looks easy. It isn't. This specific Stellar Blade butterfly in the wasteland likes to lead you right into a pack of Creeper enemies. It’s a classic bait-and-switch. You’re focused on the glowing wings, and suddenly you’re surrounded.
The strategy here is simple but annoying. Clear the area first. Walk the path the butterfly would take before you actually trigger it. Once the mobs are dead, go back to the starting point—usually a small rusted heap of metal—and then follow it. It’ll lead you to a chest containing several D-Bit materials and a rare Poly-module.
The Great Canyon Verticality
There’s another one hidden deep in the Great Canyon, tucked away behind some breakable crates near a cliff edge. This one is a nightmare. It requires you to double-jump and dash across a series of yellow-painted beams. If you fall, you’re looking at a long trek back up or, worse, a respawn at the nearest camp.
- Tip: Use the "Air Dash" skill. If you haven't unlocked it yet, don't even bother with this butterfly.
- Wait for the butterfly to settle at each checkpoint.
- Don't rush. The timer only resets once you reach the next "hover" point.
The Forbidden Area’s Hidden Prize
The Forbidden Area is already a headache because of the turret fire and the environmental hazards. But there’s a butterfly here that drops a legitimate upgrade for your drone. Look for the ruined building near the western edge. The butterfly is perched on a high ledge. You’ll need to move a yellow crate over to the wall to reach it. Once triggered, it circles the building twice before settling in the basement.
Common misconceptions about butterfly spawns
I've seen a lot of talk online about these being "glitched." They aren't. Usually, if a Stellar Blade butterfly in the wasteland isn't appearing, it’s because of one of three things.
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- Time of Day/Lighting: While the game doesn't have a traditional day/night cycle that affects spawns, certain story beats change the lighting in the Wasteland. If you're in the middle of a major regional quest, some environmental triggers are temporarily disabled.
- The "Hidden" Trigger: Some butterflies don't appear until you've interacted with a different object nearby. For example, there's one near the Solar Tower that only spawns after you've successfully repaired the drone console.
- Proximity: You have to be almost on top of them. The "search" function on your drone (the R3 scan) will highlight chests and enemies, but it won't always highlight a butterfly until it has been activated.
Basically, you have to be a bit of a detective.
The specific reward tiers you should expect
Not all butterflies are created equal. In the Wasteland, they generally fall into three "rarity" tiers based on the color of the chest they leave behind.
The white chests are your bread and butter. You'll get basic materials. The silver chests are where the Nano Suit patterns live. Then there are the gold-tinted ones. These are rare in the Wasteland—most are saved for the Great Desert—but there is at least one near the Altess Levoire entrance that yields a significant amount of Gold and a high-tier gear piece.
Honestly, if you're early in the game, focus on the ones in the Scrap Plains. They provide the materials needed to upgrade your Exospine, which is arguably more important than your actual weapon level in the first ten hours. An upgraded "Protection Exospine" makes the boss fights in the Wasteland significantly more forgiving.
Perfecting your movement for the chase
EVE's movement can feel a bit "floaty" at times. When you're chasing a Stellar Blade butterfly in the wasteland, that floatiness can be your enemy.
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Stop sprinting.
I know it sounds counterintuitive, but sprinting makes your turn radius wider. Most butterflies move in tight patterns around ruins or debris. Use the standard run speed and save your dash for the gaps. If you're on a PS5, use the haptic feedback. You can actually "feel" the direction of the butterfly's hum if you're wearing headphones or paying attention to the controller vibration. It's a subtle guide that Shift Up added to help players who might lose visual contact in the bright desert sun.
What to do if you lose a butterfly
It happens. You're mid-chase, a Naytiba jumps out, and the butterfly vanishes.
Don't panic. You don't have to leave the zone or fast travel. Usually, just walking about 50 meters away and coming back will reset the spawn point. If that doesn't work, sitting at a Camp chair definitely will. Rest, refill your potions, and head back to the start. The butterfly will be right back where it started, waiting for you to try again.
Final strategies for completionists
If you're going for the Platinum trophy or just want to see every suit EVE can wear, the Wasteland is your biggest hurdle. It’s the largest open area in the game and has the highest concentration of these little pests.
- Focus on the edges: Most butterflies are located on the periphery of the map, not the center.
- Clear the Naytiba first: Nothing ruins a chase like getting hit by a projectile from an off-screen enemy.
- Watch the ground: Sometimes the butterfly isn't the puzzle; the ground is. If you see a series of platforms or a weirdly placed ramp, there’s likely a butterfly trigger nearby.
The search for the Stellar Blade butterfly in the wasteland is essentially a lesson in patience. It’s about taking a break from the high-octane combat to appreciate the platforming. It's also about getting those sweet, sweet outfits.
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Next Steps for Your Journey:
- Check your Crafting Menu: After collecting a few butterfly chests, head to a camp and see which Nano Suits you can now fabricate. You likely have the materials for at least one new outfit after clearing the Scrap Plains.
- Upgrade your Scanner: Spend your SP (Skill Points) on the drone's scanning range. It makes hearing and spotting the butterflies significantly easier in the wider sections of the Great Canyon.
- Mark your map: Use the in-game pins to mark locations where you saw a butterfly but couldn't reach it yet. You'll likely need a later-game skill like the "Double Jump" to finish the collection.
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