Hell is Us Drone Modules
KAPI combat abilities — from first Hollow Distract to Elite Marastan upgrades.
The KAPI drone is Ren’s flashlight, puzzle tool, and combat partner. Beyond scanning switches and lighting ruins, it accepts up to four Drone Modules — active abilities triggered with R2/RT held plus face buttons on console, or right mouse hold plus 1–4 on PC defaults. Modules mirror glyph design: each ability has a default, Enhanced, and Elite tier found through exploration, mysteries, and Timeloop rewards.
Hell is Us ships roughly sixteen module entries (eight base abilities plus Elite variants). You receive Distract almost immediately after your first Hollow encounter, establishing crowd control as a core pillar alongside melee. Neglecting drone upgrades is one of the most common reasons Timeloop bosses feel overwhelming — treat modules as mandatory progression, not optional collectibles.
Module slot layout
Equip modules in the Datapad drone panel. In combat, hold the drone modifier and press Triangle/Y/1 for slot one, Square/X/2 for slot two, Cross/A/3 for slot three, Circle/B/4 for slot four. Dock drone (R2 + Down) prevents accidental triggers during stealth; drone light (R2 + Up) helps navigation without spending combat charges.
Modules share cooldown rules with glyphs but draw from separate pools — you can Distract an elite while your polearm Berserk glyph recharges. Practice alternating drone opens and weapon finishers on PC controls before Merciless attempts.
Essential modules
Distract
Role: Pull one enemy out of a pack, stunning until attacked.
When you get it: Base version shortly after the first Hollow fight in Act I.
Elite upgrade: Complete the Locked Computer mystery in Auriga Museum Research Department.
Distract remains the best crowd-control tool endgame. Pair with twin axes Frightful Ambush or polearm sweeps to delete isolated targets. Every best loadout should include Distract unless you are speedrunning puzzles only.
Surge Step
Role: Extended dash that dodges incoming attacks with generous i-frames.
Base location: Jova region near the blacksmith in Acasa Marshes.
Elite location: Drone workshop inside Auriga Museum.
Surge Step fixes the stiff dodge feel critics mention in reviews — it is the closest thing to a safety valve when parry timing fails. Slot it in module two once acquired and keep it through Marastan.
Entropic Field
Role: Area denial or ranged pressure depending on tier — excellent in narrow museum halls.
Use case: Force Hollows into chokepoints before swapping to greatsword stance breaks. Elite variants appear in mid-game combat zones; check Datapad Investigations after Auriga Timeloops.
Shockwave
Role: AoE stagger around the drone — strong after greatsword stance collapse.
Use case: Late-game armored Revenants that shrug light attacks. Combine with glyphs guide stun abilities for looped finishers.
Other module families
Remaining modules include utility and damage variants discovered across Vys, Marastan OMSIF sites, and optional Good Deed rewards. Names vary by emotion alignment, but patterns repeat: stun, pull, damage aura, and scan enhancement. Prioritize combat modules before collection completion unless Investigations explicitly require scan upgrades.
Four-slot loadout templates
| Phase | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3 | Slot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Act I | Distract | empty | empty | empty |
| Act II | Distract | Surge Step | Entropic Field | flex |
| Act III | Distract Elite | Surge Step Elite | Shockwave | flex |
Flex slot options: second stun for dual-elite rooms, or traversal assists during platforming-heavy Timeloops. Swap flex before boss rematches — not mid-fight unless difficulty is Lenient.
Farming Elite upgrades
Elite modules require specific mysteries and region completion, not random drops. Typical gates:
- Auriga Museum — drone workshop, Locked Computer, Marga Hamil lab access (code 230317 on Codes Hub).
- Marastan — OMSIF houses along main story paths; bring polearm reach for outdoor ambushes.
- Optional Timeloops — replay for Enhanced tiers before Elite keys spawn.
If a workshop stays locked, finish nearby Investigations rather than brute forcing keypads — many module rooms tie to emotion puzzles covered in vault codes.
Drone modules vs glyphs
| Feature | Glyphs | Drone modules |
|---|---|---|
| Modifier | L2 / LT | R2 / RT |
| Cost | Lymbic energy | Cooldowns |
| Binding | Per weapon | Global loadout |
| Count | 3 per weapon | 4 total |
Because modules persist across weapon swaps, they anchor your tactical plan. Glyphs rotate with emotional matchups; modules stay constant. Build fights around Distract opens → weapon burst → Surge Step escape → Shockwave reset.
Exploration utility
Outside combat, the drone activates distant switches, illuminates dark vaults, and scans clues for Datapad entries. Some Marastan wiring puzzles require drone positioning before Ren can proceed — upgrade light modules if you struggle with cave sections noted in the review summary.
Related guides
Weapon-specific synergies live on the weapons tier list. Passive boosts that shorten cooldowns appear on relics and items. Platform-specific drone inputs are listed under console controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about Hell is Us progression, combat, and exploration.
How many drone modules can I equip?
Four at once. Trigger them with R2/RT plus face buttons on console or right mouse hold plus number keys on PC.
What is the first drone module you get?
Distract, shortly after your first Hollow encounter. It remains useful through Elite upgrades.
Where is Surge Step located?
Base version near Jova's blacksmith in Acasa Marshes. Elite upgrade is in Auriga Museum's drone workshop.
Do drone modules use Lymbic energy?
No. They rely on cooldown timers separate from weapon glyph costs.