Elite Drone

This article is a Stub and needs your help. Please improve it by adding more information.

Elite Drone
Biographical information
Homeland	Hive
Physical description and appearance
Species	Swarm (formerly human)
Gender	Male
Height	6'7" ft. (Average)
Body color	Black carapace with Dark Grey skin
Eye color	White
Chronological and personal information
Rank(s)	Field Officers
Era(s)	Swarm War
Weapons	Bolo Grenade Boltok Pistol Gnasher Shotgun Hammerburst II Mark 2 Lancer Assault Rifle Claw Light Machine Gun
Affiliation	Swarm

"Okay, this might be a problem."

—JD Fenix, upon encountering Elite Drones at Tollen Dam

Elite Drones represented the best of Swarm Drones. Distinguished by their black hide, they were tougher, better equipped, and more aggressive than their lessers, making them the second-most dangerous bipeds in the Swarm behind Scions.

History

Elite Drones were first encountered by JD and Marcus Fenix, Delmont Walker, and Kait Diaz at Tollen Dam. These new, battle-hardened drones showed their prowess in their ferocity, fighting Delta Squad until the last man.

Strategies

Elite Drones equipped with a Lancer make liberal use of its chainsaw, especially in Horde 3.0.

This makes them far more aggressive and, like the Imago, more prone to assaulting in close quarters. They are also much more tough owing to their hardened hide and more armor, so engage them from a distance to avoid the insta-kill.

Behind the scenes

• The Elite Drone is a playable multiplayer character for the Swarm in Gears of War 4, and has three unlockable character skins, excluding its Default skin: Color Blast, Onyx Gold, and Spectre. Its Onyx Gold skin is only available in the Onyx Gold Swarm Pack.
• Their behavior is a mixture between the Locust Grenadier and the Locust Cyclops.
• The appearance of the Elite Drone in Gears of War 4 is noticeably different than the ones seen in Gears 5. The ones in Gears 5 seem to be regular drones with better armor and equipment whereas Gears of War 4's Elite Drones have dark grey skin and different facial structures. It is unknown whether there's a reason in lore or if it was an oversight. It may also be that the elite Drones were the first to be converted and transformed, they had time to mature, but with the first combats, they all died and since they did not have time for their troops to fully mature it was decided better arm the best drones.

Appearances

• Gears of War 4 (First appearance)
• Gears 5