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Acquiring certain crafting materials in NieR: Automata can be a real challenge. Pristine Screws are a prime example; while not visually distinct, their rarity makes them significantly harder to obtain than other resources. Although you can purchase them from Emil, his stock fluctuates, and hunting them directly from machines often proves cheaper and more efficient. Let's explore the best farming methods.
Where To Get Pristine Screws In NieR: Automata
Goliath-Bipeds, the largest non-boss machines, drop various screws, with Pristine Screws being the rarest. Higher-level Goliath-Bipeds offer a better chance of obtaining them, making early-game farming practically fruitless.
Several locations reliably spawn these machines. The pit where you first encounter Adam is a good starting point, also yielding Machine Arms. However, the Goliath-Bipeds here are only around level 30, resulting in a low Pristine Screw drop rate. The advantage is their constant respawning, allowing for rapid farming despite the low odds.
Alternatively, during your third playthrough, fast travel to the Forest Castle: Front access point. Two level 49 Goliath-Bipeds guard the entrance, boasting a higher Pristine Screw drop rate. However, they don't respawn; you'll need to repeatedly fast travel to a distant location and return to continue farming.
Both methods benefit from using a drop-rate up plug-in chip to improve efficiency.
Which Method Is Better?
The optimal method depends on two key factors: your system's loading times and your patience.
Farming Pristine Screws is inherently time-consuming. While the Forest Castle method offers a higher drop rate, it involves frequent loading screens, minimizing actual gameplay. If loading screens don't bother you, this is the better option. However, if you prefer continuous gameplay and want to simultaneously farm other materials and gain XP, the pit method, despite its lower drop rate, provides a more consistent and engaging experience.