Drone Downtime Decoded: Why Your Automated Helpers Halt in Slime Rancher

So, your trusty drones in Slime Rancher have ground to a halt, leaving you to manually wrangle those wiggly, wobbly slimes? Don’t despair! While these automated assistants are incredibly useful, they aren’t immune to the demands of ranching life. Drones stop functioning primarily because they require daily recharging. They operate for approximately one in-game day before needing to return to their station for a “refreshing blast of water.” This is their power source, simulating a sort of “battery” that needs constant replenishing. This system is designed to keep you engaged in the game while still benefiting from the drone’s automation! Let’s dive into the specifics of drone operation and troubleshoot potential reasons for their unexpected pauses.

Understanding Drone Mechanics in Slime Rancher

Drones are arguably one of the most valuable gadgets in Slime Rancher, automating tedious tasks and freeing you up to explore the Far, Far Range. Understanding how they function is crucial to maximizing their efficiency.

Basic Drone Functionality

A standard drone can be programmed to perform one specific task within its assigned ranch expansion. This might include:

• Gathering food from gardens and depositing it into auto-feeders.
• Collecting plorts from auto-collectors and depositing them into the plort market.
• Moving items between storage silos and other locations.

The Advanced Drone Upgrade

For ranchers seeking even greater automation, the Advanced Drone is a game-changer. Unlike its standard counterpart, the Advanced Drone can be programmed with two jobs, prioritized as “First” and “Second”. It will attempt to complete its first priority task, and if that’s not possible (e.g., no fruits are available to harvest), it will switch to the second priority. This vastly increases their effectiveness.

Limitations and Range

It’s crucial to remember that drones only operate within the ranch expansion in which they are placed. If you have multiple expansions, you’ll need a drone in each one to fully automate your ranch. They won’t magically cross boundaries to help out elsewhere.

Troubleshooting Drone Stoppages

Beyond the basic daily recharge, several other factors can cause your drones to cease operation:

• Lack of Resources: If the drone’s assigned task cannot be completed (e.g., no food to harvest, plort collectors empty), it may simply idle until something becomes available. This isn’t a “stoppage” in the traditional sense, but it can appear that way.
• Obstructions: Drones can sometimes get stuck on obstacles within their environment. Clear any debris or poorly placed structures that might be blocking their path.
• Glitches: While rare, glitches can sometimes occur. Try picking up the drone and repositioning it, or restarting the game to resolve the issue.
• Drone Depletion: As stated earlier, these drones will need a daily “refresh” by returning to their station to be charged.
• Ranch Boundaries: Drones only work in the expansion they are placed. So, they cannot work outside of that perimeter.

Maximizing Drone Efficiency

To ensure your drones are working at peak performance, consider the following tips:

• Strategic Placement: Position drones in central locations within their expansion to minimize travel time.
• Prioritize Tasks Wisely: Carefully consider the order of tasks for Advanced Drones. For example, prioritize feeding your slimes before selling plorts to ensure consistent plort production.
• Maintain Resources: Ensure a steady supply of food and plorts to keep your drones busy.
• Clear Obstructions: Regularly inspect your ranch expansions for any obstacles that might be hindering drone movement.
• Upgrade to Advanced Drones: If possible, upgrade to Advanced Drones for increased efficiency and automation.

Slime Rancher 2 and the Evolution of Drones

While the core functionality of drones in Slime Rancher 2 is focused on gathering research and lore rather than ranch automation, the spirit of these helpful helpers lives on. Slime Rancher 2 introduces Research Drones that are left behind by a mysterious person for Beatrix LeBeau to discover across Rainbow Island. These contain archived data for the player to unlock once obtaining the Drone Archive Key.

Slime Rancher 2 is currently in Early Access, which means it is still a work in progress. Keep an eye out for new updates and potential additions to drone functionality as the game develops. Many say that, Slime Rancher 2 is just as good, if not better than the first.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Drones in Slime Rancher

Here are some common questions about drones and their operation in Slime Rancher:

1. Can drones get stolen by slimes? No, slimes cannot interact with or steal drones. Drones are immune to slime antics.
2. How do I unlock drones? Drones are unlocked through Slime Science, requiring the creation of the necessary blueprints and the use of resources gathered from around the Far, Far Range.
3. Can drones be upgraded beyond the Advanced Drone? In the original Slime Rancher, the Advanced Drone is the highest level of upgrade available. However, always check for updates that might change this!
4. Why is my drone stuck in a loop? This usually happens when a drone gets caught on an obstruction or when its assigned task is impossible to complete. Try repositioning the drone or adjusting its programming.
5. Do drones work at night? Yes, drones operate 24/7, regardless of the in-game time of day, until they need recharging.
6. Can drones feed specific slimes? No, drones deposit food into auto-feeders, which then distribute the food to all slimes within range. You cannot target specific slimes with drone feeding.
7. What happens if a drone deposits plorts while the market is resetting? If a drone deposits plorts into the Plort Market while it is resetting its prices, you will receive no Newbucks in return for that transaction. It’s best to avoid selling plorts during this reset period.
8. Can I use drones to gather resources from the Wilds or other remote areas? No, drones are restricted to the ranch expansion in which they are placed. They cannot venture outside these boundaries.
9. Do toys affect drone behavior? No, slime toys only affect the happiness and agitation levels of slimes. They have no impact on drone performance.
10. How often do drones need to be recharged? Drones require recharging approximately every in-game day, simulating a battery life.
11. Can drones be used to automate everything on my ranch? While drones can automate many tasks, some activities, such as exploring new areas or caring for specific slime types (like Puddle Slimes), still require manual intervention.
12. How do I choose the best tasks for my drones? Consider your ranch’s specific needs and prioritize tasks that are most time-consuming or essential for plort production. For example, if you have a large garden, prioritizing food collection can be highly beneficial.
13. Do drones work if I’m not on the ranch? Yes, drones continue to operate even when you are exploring other areas of the Far, Far Range.
14. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of games like Slime Rancher? Check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for resources on game-based learning and the educational potential of video games!
15. Will there be new drone types or functionalities in future Slime Rancher updates? While there’s no guarantee, the developers of Slime Rancher are known for adding new features and content to the game. Keep an eye on official announcements for any potential drone-related updates!

By understanding these factors and implementing the tips provided, you can keep your drones running smoothly and efficiently, turning your Slime Rancher into a well-oiled, plort-producing machine!