Should You Choose Shape or Fracture in Control’s The Foundation DLC?
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The Foundation DLC for Control introduces a crucial decision early on: choosing between two powerful abilities – Shape and Fracture. This choice significantly impacts your initial experience within the Foundation, influencing how you navigate the environment and tackle enemies. So, which ability should you choose first?
The answer, in short, is Fracture. While both abilities are invaluable and you will eventually acquire both, Fracture offers a more immediate and practical advantage within the Foundation’s unique landscape.
Why Choose Fracture First?
The Foundation is characterized by its crystal-laden environment. These crystals are not just decorative; they form bridges, platforms, and even trap enemies. Fracture allows you to destroy these crystals with your Service Weapon, opening new paths, creating drops for enemies, and revealing hidden areas. This makes exploration much more fluid and efficient.
Here’s why choosing Fracture first is the smarter move:
- Immediate Utility: The ability to destroy crystals directly addresses the Foundation’s core gameplay mechanics. You’ll constantly encounter obstacles requiring crystal destruction, making Fracture essential from the start.
- Navigational Advantage: Many paths are blocked or partially formed by crystals. With Fracture, you can clear these quickly, allowing for uninterrupted exploration.
- Combat Application: Creating gaps under enemies by breaking crystal formations gives you tactical advantages in combat. It allows you to drop them to their deaths or create space to manage multiple threats.
- Smoother Learning Curve: The ability is straightforward: point your Service Weapon and shoot. This lets you acclimate to the Foundation’s challenges without needing to learn complex mechanics right away.
- Later Acquisition of Shape: While Shape is incredibly powerful, it doesn’t offer the same immediate utility. By acquiring Fracture first, you have time to explore more of the level and gain a better understanding of how to use crystals before dealing with the complexities of Shape.
While Shape is powerful, it involves drawing crystals out of walls and floors to create platforms and traps. The initial focus in the Foundation is more about moving through the environment, making Fracture the better immediate choice.
Understanding Shape and Fracture
To make the most informed decision, it’s important to understand how each ability works:
Shape
The Shape ability allows Jesse to manipulate the crystals themselves. You can:
- Create platforms: Pull crystals out of walls and floors to form bridges and climbing points.
- Form Traps: Generate jagged crystal formations that damage and shred enemies.
- Tactical Positioning: Manipulate the environment to create tactical advantages in combat.
Fracture
The Fracture ability gives your Service Weapon the power to destroy crystals, doing the following:
- Path Creation: Break down crystal walls and bridges to access new areas.
- Environmental Manipulation: Create chasms under enemies or collapse structures.
- Puzzle Solving: Use it to manipulate crystals to unlock paths and secrets.
- Exploration: Find hidden areas behind destructible crystal formations.
Ultimately, You’ll Get Both
It’s important to remember that both abilities are available, no matter what you pick first. Choosing Fracture at the outset does not lock you out of Shape. You’ll gain access to Shape as you progress through the Foundation’s main storyline. So, choosing Fracture simply makes the initial portion of the DLC more manageable. The ultimate gameplay strategy is to become proficient in using both abilities, as they compliment each other well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding abilities and other elements within Control, particularly within the Foundation DLC, to provide more in-depth insights:
What is the main objective of the Foundation DLC?
The primary objective of the Foundation DLC is to uncover the mysteries within the Foundation, the bedrock of the Oldest House, and confront the Hiss that are attempting to exploit it. You will also be working to regain control of the Nail and battle against the formidable Marshall.
How many missions are there in the Foundation DLC?
The Foundation DLC includes three main missions, which start with “The Foundation” and end with “The Pyramid,” in addition to three side missions you can discover and complete.
What is the final mission in the Foundation DLC?
The last mission in the Foundation DLC is The Pyramid. This mission features a battle for control over the Nail against the Hiss, culminating with a difficult fight with the former Head of Operations for the Federal Bureau of Control, Marshall.
What is the gameplay difference between Shape and Fracture?
Shape lets you create and manipulate crystals, including platforms and traps, while Fracture allows you to destroy crystals with your Service Weapon. Shape emphasizes environmental manipulation and trap creation, while Fracture allows for pathfinding and combat strategy changes.
Does picking an ability at the start of the foundation permanently lock me out of the other?
No, choosing either Shape or Fracture at the beginning does not permanently block access to the other. You will eventually acquire both abilities as you progress through the DLC’s storyline.
What is the Service Weapon and how is it used?
The Service Weapon is the primary weapon in Control. It can transform into different forms, each with its own purpose in combat. With the Fracture ability, the Service Weapon can also destroy crystals.
What are some tips for fighting the Former?
The Former is an aggressive enemy that takes advantage of its environment. You need to use a combination of your Service Weapon and Launch powers, aiming for its glowing “eye” with launched light projectiles. Timing and dodging are crucial.
How does the difficulty of The Foundation DLC compare to the main game?
The Foundation DLC is more challenging than the base game, and even AWE DLC. It features new enemies, complex environments, and tougher boss fights.
Is The Foundation DLC worth playing?
Yes, absolutely. The Foundation DLC adds new story elements, challenging fights, and expands the lore. It’s worth it for those who enjoyed the base game and want to see more of Control’s world.
What are the new abilities that Jesse gets in The Foundation?
Aside from the Shape and Fracture abilities, there are no other abilities that Jesse receives in The Foundation. However, these are unique abilities that require some time to fully master,
Can I miss any powers or abilities in Control?
Yes, you can miss some abilities if you overlook certain side missions. Explore thoroughly and complete as many side missions as possible to unlock all powers.
How long does it take to complete The Foundation DLC?
The Foundation DLC takes approximately 4 hours to complete focusing on the main objectives, and around 8 hours to achieve 100% completion.
What are some common mistakes to avoid after a wrist injury?
This question is unrelated to Control or its DLC. However, it is important to always follow your doctors’ directions after an injury and to not rush healing.
What happens at the end of Control?
At the end of Control, Jesse learns about her brother Dylan’s role in the Hiss takeover, which also connects with the Oldest House. The story also hints that her journey may not have been what she first thought.
Are there any new outfits in The Foundation DLC?
No new outfits are found in The Foundation DLC. The outfits must be unlocked in the base game. However, outfits carry over into the DLC, so they can still be enjoyed.
By understanding the advantages of Fracture and how it best suits the initial challenges within the Foundation, you can make the ideal choice for your first ability and greatly improve your gameplay. Remember, it is best to eventually unlock and master both abilities to fully experience the intricacies of the Foundation.