NieR: Automata offers a wide array of weapons, allowing players to experiment with different weapon types across multiple playthroughs. Each weapon boasts multiple upgrade levels, extending their usefulness and enabling players to utilize their favorites throughout the entire game.
Weapon upgrades are readily accessible at the Resistance Camp, though they require specific resources. One particularly sought-after material, Beast Hides, isn't easily obtained; this guide details efficient farming methods.
Acquiring Beast Hides in NieR: Automata
Beast Hides are potential loot drops from wildlife such as moose and boar. These creatures randomly appear in designated map areas, generally avoiding players and nearby robots. Their white icons on the mini-map distinguish them from machines' black icons. However, unlike machines, wildlife doesn't respawn frequently, requiring strategic searching.
Moose and boar are exclusive to the game's ruined city and forest environments. Their reaction to player attacks depends on the level disparity; higher-level animals may flee, while lower-level ones might attack. Proximity alone can trigger aggression from significantly stronger animals. Wildlife also possesses substantial health, making early-game encounters challenging, especially against animals at or near your level.
Using Animal Bait can lure wildlife closer, simplifying the hunting process.
Because wildlife doesn't continuously respawn during the main storyline, players must actively hunt them during exploration. Respawn mechanics for wildlife mirror those of machines:
- Fast traveling resets all enemies and wildlife.
- Traveling a sufficient distance triggers respawns in previously visited areas.
- Key story events can also cause nearby enemies and wildlife to respawn.
There's no foolproof method for efficiently farming Beast Hides. Consistently eliminating wildlife encountered while traversing the forests and city ruins generally provides sufficient hides. The drop rate is relatively high, ensuring you'll rarely need an excessive amount at any given time, provided you don't simultaneously upgrade more weapons than you can equip.