The Shel-Drone is an automated device in Splatoon 3 that serves as a delivery assistant that supplies valuable resources to players, free of effort. These resources include Cash, Decorations, Ability Chunks, Tableturf Battle Cards, and Food Tickets. Decorations are collectible items that fans can use to customize their lockers to give them their own personalities. Next, Ability Chunks in Splatoon 3 grant players new perks and abilities for their gear, giving a slight advantage on the splatterfield.
The fifth item type that the Shel-Drone is able to provide is Food Tickets, voucher currency that can be spent at the Crab-N-Go concession stand in the central lobby of Splatoon 3. Consuming food grants players various beneficial buffs, such as a 50% increase for earned Battle Cash. With such benefits that this device provides, the Shel-Drone's services are undoubtedly a valuable mechanic for all players. However, two substantial prerequisites must be fulfilled for this drone to become available.
Game8 states that Splatoon 3 players can unlock Shel-Drone by completing the Hero Mode and achieving 100% exploration of Alterna's map. Hero Mode is the single-player campaign mode of Splatoon 3, consisting of 10 Kettle levels. Each level contains multiple stages that have their own objectives. Additional challenges, such as completing stages within a certain amount of time, are not required to obtain the Shel-Drone.
Unlocking The Shel-Drone in Splatoon 3
The second prerequisite for unlocking the Shel-Drone in Splatoon 3 is exploring 100% of Alterna, the central base area used during the Return of the Mammalians campaign. Players must uncover every portion of the map to perform this feat and find every hidden Loot Anchor. Some areas can be tricky to reach, so players must make sure to ink every surface to ensure they have sufficiently combed the location.
After accomplishing the two requirements for unlocking the Shel-Drone in Splatoon 3, players can head to the Squid Sisters Camp, speak with Agent 2 and receive access to their new drone. As mentioned above, the Shel-Drone will survey Alterna for secret treasures in Splatoon 3 and then deliver what it finds to the Lobby Terminal. However, it does not perform this service for free, as players must pay 999 Power Eggs to activate the drone. Once the cost has been paid, the drone will fly off and return with the goods the following day. The items it delivers to players are random, so there is no way to farm or collect a specific item since the item deliveries are based on RNG in Splatoon 3.
Source: Game8