Mastering the Shield: Your Guide to Defensive Prowess in Control
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The Shield ability in Remedy Entertainment’s Control is your bulwark against the relentless onslaught of the Hiss. Getting it isn’t automatic; you need to actively seek it out. To acquire this power, you must locate and bind the Object of Power known as “Home Safe.” This happens within the Field Training area, which is located just off of Central Maintenance. By successfully binding with Home Safe, Jesse Faden gains the ability to telekinetically pull debris from the environment, forming a protective shield against incoming projectiles and attacks. This guide will walk you through obtaining the Shield and maximizing its potential, ensuring you can survive even the most chaotic encounters in the Oldest House.
Journey to Home Safe: Acquiring the Shield
The path to the Shield ability begins in Central Maintenance. If you haven’t been there yet, progress through the main story until you reach a point where the game directs you there. This area is easily identifiable by its industrial aesthetic, filled with machinery and maintenance equipment.
Navigating to Field Training
From Central Maintenance, look for signs or maps indicating the Field Training area. It’s a distinct location designed for training Federal Bureau of Control (FBC) agents. Once inside Field Training, you will immediately notice the Object of Power glowing its telltale red.
Binding with Home Safe
The Home Safe Object of Power is typically found in a designated training room, often surrounded by debris and simulated combat scenarios. To bind with the Object, simply approach it and interact with it (usually by pressing the indicated button on your controller or keyboard). Jesse will then go through a binding ritual, granting her the Shield ability.
Utilizing the Shield: Basic Mechanics and Upgrades
Once you have the Shield, mastering it is key to survival. Here’s a breakdown of its mechanics and how to upgrade it for maximum effectiveness.
Basic Functionality
Holding the Shield button causes Jesse to create a wall of debris in front of her, blocking most incoming attacks. While active, the Shield consumes Energy. If your Energy depletes completely, the Shield will collapse, leaving you vulnerable. It’s crucial to manage your Energy consumption effectively.
Upgrading the Shield
The Shield ability can be upgraded using Ability Points earned from completing missions and challenges. These upgrades enhance its durability and utility:
- Shield Health: Increases the amount of damage the Shield can absorb before breaking.
- Energy Efficiency: Reduces the amount of Energy consumed while the Shield is active.
- Shield Rush: An upgrade that allows you to dash forward while the Shield is active, knocking back enemies (requires the Evade ability).
Prioritize upgrading Shield Health first to increase survivability, followed by Energy Efficiency to prolong its use. Shield Rush can be a very useful ability, especially as a gap closer, especially in crowded situations.
Advanced Tactics: Mastering the Shield in Combat
The Shield isn’t just a passive defensive tool; it can be used strategically to control the battlefield and turn the tide of combat.
Shield Rush: Offensive Defense
Shield Rush transforms your Shield into an offensive weapon. By using Evade while holding the Shield, Jesse will charge forward, slamming into enemies and knocking them off balance. This is excellent for disrupting enemy attacks, creating openings for Launch attacks, and pushing enemies into environmental hazards. Keep in mind that Shield Rush will consume extra energy.
Combining Shield with Other Abilities
The Shield works best when combined with other abilities:
- Launch: Use the Shield to block enemy fire while repositioning, then quickly switch to Launch to hurl debris at enemies.
- Evade: Evade behind cover while the Shield recharges, or use Evade to quickly reposition and flank enemies.
- Seize: Shield yourself from approaching threats while you convert enemies into temporary allies.
Environmental Awareness
Use the environment to your advantage while using the Shield. Position yourself near cover, narrow corridors, or choke points to maximize the Shield’s effectiveness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many players underestimate the Shield or fail to use it effectively. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Relying solely on the Shield: The Shield is not impenetrable. It can break under sustained fire, so use it strategically and combine it with other defensive maneuvers.
- Ignoring Energy management: Running out of Energy at the wrong time can be fatal. Keep an eye on your Energy bar and conserve it when possible.
- Forgetting about Shield Rush: This upgrade adds a significant offensive element to the Shield, so don’t forget to use it.
- Not upgrading the Shield: Invest in upgrades to increase the Shield’s durability and efficiency.
The Shield is an invaluable tool in Control, providing much-needed protection and opening up new tactical possibilities. By understanding its mechanics, upgrading it wisely, and practicing its use in combat, you can master the Shield and become an unstoppable force in the Oldest House.
Shield Control Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you miss the Shield ability in Control?
Yes, you can miss it if you don’t explore! Only Launch and Levitate are unmissable as they’re tied to the story.
2. What is the “Home Safe” Object of Power?
“Home Safe” is the Object of Power that grants Jesse the Shield ability. Cleansing it is how you acquire the power.
3. How does Shield Rush work in Control?
Shield Rush is an upgrade for the Shield ability. While holding Shield, use Evade to rush at enemies and knock them back. It consumes extra Energy.
4. What should I upgrade first for the Shield ability?
Prioritize Shield Health to increase its durability, followed by Energy Efficiency to prolong its usage.
5. Can a shield stop a bullet in real life?
A ballistic shield is bullet-resistant, not bulletproof. It can withstand certain types of ammunition, but there’s no guarantee against all threats.
6. How many psychic abilities are there in Control?
There are 5 psychic abilities in total: Launch, Shield, Evade, Seize, and Levitate.
7. Can you fully upgrade all abilities in Control?
Yes, you can. The game and its DLCs provide enough Ability Points to purchase every ability and its upgrades.
8. How do you get Ability Points in Control?
Ability Points are earned by completing Main Missions and Side Missions.
9. What is the best power in Control?
While subjective, many players consider Levitate to be the best power due to its versatility in combat and exploration.
10. How many levels are there in Control?
Control has 46 missions in total, including 1 mission exclusive to the PlayStation version.
11. Does Control have DLC?
Yes, Control has two different DLC storylines: The Foundation and AWE.
12. How do you unlock weapon forms in Control?
New Weapon Forms are unlocked by visiting a Control Point and selecting Astral Constructs. You’ll need the required Materials.
13. How long does it take to 100% Control?
It takes around 39½ Hours to achieve 100% completion in Control: Ultimate Edition.
14. What is the Cleanse the Safe Object of Power in Control?
It glows the typical Object of Power red and is shielding itself with a collection of rubble. You can break this shield by throwing items using your Launch powers. When you see an opening in the shield, run up and cleanse the Safe Object of Power.
15. What can a shield be used for?
Shields are used to intercept specific attacks, whether from close-ranged weaponry or projectiles such as arrows, by means of active blocks, as well as to provide passive protection by closing one or more lines of engagement during combat. For further exploration of the transformative potential within gaming, visit the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.