While not being the most necessary for progression in Metroid Dread, the Wave Beam upgrade is very handy for gathering collectibles while exploring Planet ZDR. This arm-cannon enhancement is the final upgrade for Samus' Power Beam attacks and can be picked up after defeating the deadly E.M.M.I robot in Ferenia.
To make the most of this upgrade, players will have to keep their eyes peeled extra wide, as there are sneaky and squishy blocks out there, known in Metroid Dread as Diffusion Blocks, that can only be destroyed with a charged attack from one's Power Beam--but only after the Wave Beam upgrade is acquired if they are beyond too much terrain.
How The Wave Beam Works
The Wave Beam acts a bit like how the effect of a charged Power Beam attack normally works, however, it basically extends the range and allows Samus to shoot through walls without needing to charge up her Power Beam. This trait is necessary for breaking Diffusion Blocks that cannot normally be reached prior to getting this upgrade, though, the times that Diffusion Block-related issues appear in the main progress route are very few.
Mostly, the Wave Beam is important for when players wishing to backtrack and obtain collectibles begin searching for Missile Tanks and other lesser upgrades. Though, it can be tricky to find where to use one's Wave Beam for such goals, as Diffusion blocks don't appear on the map as other breakable blocks do.
Where To Go After Getting The Wave Beam Upgrade
Following the acquisition of the Wave Beam in Ferenia after the defeat of a fearsome E.M.M.I robot, players should head west to the shuttle station in this area that leads to Ghavoran, as this is the place from where one can reach the late-game region Hanubia.
If progress is on one's mind, and players already have the Screw Attack upgrade to break the blue blocks with lightning bolts on them (Screw Attack Blocks), gamers can proceed through the top part of Ghavoran to meet a tough boss and then go on to reach a shuttle station that leads to Hanubia.
However, after gathering the Cross Bomb from the Golzuna boss in Ghovoran and the Power Bomb from the Chozo Soldier boss in Hanubia, players will be ready to fully use the Wave Beam and other upgrades to go on a collectible round-up mission prior to taking on the final boss found only a bit later on.
Metroid Dread is available on the Nintendo Switch.
