Shani: Their electric shocks are no joke. It takes some firepower to get through their armor.
The Hornet is a compact, flying ARC drone built for disruption rather than raw damage. It fires stunning projectiles that can shock Raiders into a brief, debilitating lock-up—often long enough for other ARC units to finish the job.
Combat behavior
Hornets telegraph their shots, but punishing mistakes is their specialty:
- It paints you with a red targeting laser before firing
- It then launches a stun round that delivers a strong electric shock and stagger/stun effect
- The stun shot is avoidable with good timing, so staying calm and mobile matters
Armor and weak points
Unlike the Wasp, the Hornet has protective armor on its front side, including coverage around the front thrusters.
- Rear thrusters are unarmored and are your best target when you have an angle
- Heavy Ammo is especially effective at stripping the armor on the front thrusters
- As with other drones, destroying two thrusters can cause it to drop, and a long enough fall can instantly destroy it
Tips for dealing with Hornets
- Dodge the stun round: watch the laser and move with intention—good timing beats panic strafing
- Shoot the rear thrusters: flank it or wait for a turn that exposes the back
- Use Heavy Ammo when needed: break the front armor if you can’t get a clean rear angle
- Lure Grenades help a lot: if you’re pinned or outnumbered, they can buy space and control the fight
Role in the world (lore)
Hornets are believed to be an upgraded patrol drone that operates alongside Wasps to secure ARC probing sites and defend other machines. Their job isn’t just spotting Raiders—it’s neutralizing threats quickly by stunning targets and setting them up for follow-up attacks.
Drops and materials
Typical drops/materials connected to the Hornet include:
- Medium Ammo
- ARC Powercell
- ARC Alloy
- Simple Gun Parts
- ARC Performance Steel
- Hornet Driver (unique drop)
Hornet Driver (unique item)
The Hornet Driver is the most valuable internal component and is used to upgrade the Gear Bench. It’s also rumored (per Apollo) to influence the drone’s behavior and power its shock system. In Raider hands, it has a nasty twist:
- Throwing a Hornet Driver at an enemy can cause it to immediately discharge, stunning the target on impact.
