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CONTROL Resonant Combat & Skills Shape Dylan's Build

Compare Aberrant Forms, Combat Abilities, Talents and Artifacts by what they do in a fight. See which choices affect traversal and which belong in a combat loadout.

01 / The question

Which systems make up a combat build?

We break a build into four parts: the Aberrant supplies weapon Forms, Resonants grant Combat Abilities, Talents shape progression, and Artifacts add passive effects. Reach and Shift solve movement problems rather than filling boss-granted attack slots.

Field comparison

Which choices change how a build plays?

Weapon Forms, powers, Talents and Artifacts are separate systems; a term describing a slot is not an item.

System	How the choice opens	Known role	Known limit or caveat
Flurry	Opening Primary Form choice	Fast twin-dagger attacks for close pressure	Critical-hit values and later upgrades are not published
Slash	Opening Primary Form choice	Wide scythe sweeps built around controlling groups	Final reach and damage values are not published
Slice	Opening Primary Form choice	Axe strikes focused on heavy single-target pressure	Exact positional bonuses are not published
Crush	Opening Secondary Form choice	Slow mallet blows with high commitment and impact	Final stagger values are not published
Drill	Opening Secondary Form choice	Directed pressure that can sustain damage on one target	Resource costs and upgrade values are not published
Extend	Opening Secondary Form choice	A chain-staff form for attacking beyond immediate melee range	It does not turn Dylan into a conventional ranged shooter
Barrage	Previewed Resonant reward choice	Telekinetic projectiles for direct ranged pressure	A first-run choice may exclude another reward until NG+
Seekers	Previewed Resonant reward choice	Summons that provide autonomous fire and an explosive option	Summon duration and final cooldowns are not published
Shield	Previewed Resonant reward choice	Floating debris for defense with an offensive follow-up	A first-run choice may exclude another reward until NG+
Falter and Execution	Pressure vulnerable enemies until an execution opens	Execute an eligible normal enemy to start the next offensive state	Boss health checkpoints change how repeated attempts are paced
Dominance	Triggered after an execution	Temporarily strengthen melee and make defeated enemies a dependable source of health	Command and summon abilities—not Dominance—add temporary allies
Talents	Progression trees	Modify synergies and combat behavior	Additional nodes open in NG+
Artifacts	Craft Untapped Artifacts in the Gap	Passive modifiers and trade-offs	Three equipped in the first run; a fourth slot opens in NG+
Reach and Shift	Story-linked traversal	Open gravity-altered routes and change combat positioning	Traversal powers are not Combat Ability slots

Field files

Aberrant Forms, Abilities and progression

These have enough distinct facts and player context for a dedicated file.

The AberrantShapeshifting melee weapon

Dylan's transforming weapon is the center of Resonant's melee combat and the anchor for Primary, Secondary and Combo Ender choices.

ReachTraversal ability

Reach is a movement unlock associated with the previewed Metro Fault route, not a boss-granted Combat Ability slot.

Aberrant Forms ComparedWeapon-form system

Six named early weapon choices divide into Primary and Secondary Forms. They change the speed, reach and target pattern of Dylan's transforming Aberrant rather than representing six separate loot drops.

Combat Abilities ComparedSupernatural ability system

Barrage, Seekers and Shield were presented as choices after an early Resonant encounter; their known functions point to different ways to regain control of a fight.

Artifacts and CraftingPassive equipment system

Artifacts are passive equipment crafted from Untapped Artifacts in the Gap. The known first-run limit is three equipped slots; New Game Plus opens a fourth.

New Game PlusReplay and progression mode

NG+ carries much of Dylan's combat progression into a fresh run while story-gated traversal abilities reset. It also broadens Talent, ability and Artifact combinations.

Current indexed topics / not a full-game list

Combat systems and named equipment

We use review impressions to explain how a system feels in practice, but we leave exact values open until they can be checked on a known game version.

Find a topicFilter by type42 of 42 topics

Topic	System or equipment	Known combat use
Barrage	Combat Ability	Pulls rocks from the ground and launches them at range. Xbox Wire saw it offered among three ability choices after an early Resonant Entity fight.We would use its ranged role to cover what the close-quarters Aberrant cannot. The preview does not give us final damage or cooldown values.
Shield	Combat Ability	Raises floating rocks defensively and can turn them into an offensive ram during a dash. It appeared alongside Barrage and Seekers in an early boss-reward choice.We see this as an offensive-defensive option, not proof that it blocks every attack. Its limits still need a check in the final build.
Seekers (Summon)	Named Combat Ability	Summons a telekinetic entity. Remedy's loadout screenshot shows that a Seeker can be thrown or detonated and exposes its duration, health, power cost, and damage statistics.The preview gives the summon throw and detonate actions. We would learn what each one does before treating the on-screen values as permanent balance rules.
Mold Turrets	Named ability example	Deployable friendly Mold growths independently attack hostile targets and apply status effects while Dylan continues fighting elsewhere.A summon-oriented setup still needs room to work. We compare that role with close-range abilities, but we do not have enough direct testing for a numerical best-build ranking.
Falter	Combat state	Pressure fills an enemy's Falter state. Normal enemies become eligible for an execution, while bosses enter a staggered damage window. Assist Mode includes a separate Outgoing Falter adjustment.We use Falter to create the next opening: execute an eligible normal enemy to start Dominance, or spend a boss stagger window on safe damage.
Execution	Combat loop reward	Executing an eligible faltered enemy starts Dominance, feeding the next Aberrant-centered attack sequence with a temporary melee boost and more reliable health drops.
Dominance	Post-execution combat state	A short state triggered by an execution. It temporarily increases Dylan's melee damage and makes enemies defeated during the window a dependable source of health.We spend Dominance on the next dangerous target while keeping weaker enemies available to extend the health-recovery rhythm. Command and summon abilities are the tools that add temporary allies.
Elemental and status effects	Ability behavior	Official footage shows abilities with elemental and status-driven effects. Individual names are withheld where the interface has not identified them.
Resonant ability choice	Boss reward	Major Resonants grant unique Combat Ability choices. A later NG+ run can pursue another ability branch from the same boss.
Reach ↗	Traversal ability	Cross altered spaces with a grappling-style moveIf the route needs a grappling-style movement unlock, we would look for Reach rather than search the Combat Ability loadout. The two systems solve different problems.
Flurry	Primary Form	Twin daggers with fast, close-range attacks and a previewed critical-chance boost; one of three opening Primary choices described by Xbox Wire.We would consider it for quick contact and frequent repositioning. The preview is not enough for us to give it a final best-in-slot rank.
Slash	Primary Form	A scythe-like Primary Form whose broad swings were described as useful against groups in the Xbox hands-on.We read its previewed strength as multi-enemy coverage, not a proven single-target damage number.
Slice	Primary Form	An axe Primary Form described as high single-target damage with a bonus for attacking from behind in the preview build.Positioning is part of its reported advantage. We would not carry preview damage values into a launch guide.
Crush	Secondary Form	A huge, slow mallet used for heavy smashing attacks; one of the three Secondary choices in the first-party hands-on.Because it commits more slowly, we would test its attack windows against mobile enemies instead of assuming every heavy hit will land.
Drill	Secondary Form	A directed, sustained-damage Secondary Form named in the Xbox Wire preview.We read sustained contact as its shown role, not as a verified final damage-per-second figure.
Extend	Secondary Form	A whip-like chain staff used for extra reach, shown as a Secondary complement to a close-range Primary setup.We use its extra range when comparing Form pairs. Exact hitboxes and final upgrade ranks still need retail testing.
Primary Forms	Loadout role	The core moveset branch. An official Talent screen gives Primary its own progression tab alongside Secondary and Combo Enders.
Secondary Forms	Loadout role	A second Form category used to vary range, speed, and function inside one setup. Preview descriptions include whip-like and hammer options.
Combo Enders	Finisher role	Powerful attacks placed at the end of strings. A hands-on preview observed rapid gauntlet strikes and a thrown glaive-like attack.
Primary branch	Talent tab	A dedicated branch for the selected Primary Form and its attack behavior. The official screenshot shows a branching node network rather than a linear upgrade rail.
Secondary branch	Talent tab	Talents attached to the Secondary Form role, supporting a second set of reach, speed, or utility choices in the same loadout.
Combo Enders branch	Talent tab	A separate progression tab for the powerful attacks that finish connected melee strings.
Dodge Attack	Named node	The official preview node adds a post-dodge attack that launches enemies and deals extra damage. Exact launch values are not published in the screenshot.
Aberrant Strength	Preview interface label	Aberrant Strength is displayed beside the selected Talent. The screenshot does not establish that the displayed number is its purchase price or final prerequisite.
New Game+ nodes	Expanded progression	Additional Talent nodes become available in New Game Plus alongside broader ability combinations and more dangerous encounters.
Zone XP and Talent points	Developer interview	Activities grant zone XP. Each zone level provides a local improvement and a Talent point; see the progression guide for the developer's examples.
Respec All	Visible preview control	The official Talent screen includes Respec All. Final resource costs and refund rules are not established by its icon or counter.
Equipped Artifacts	Passive modifier	Artifacts can change survivability, combat, exploration, or resource economy. Some include activation conditions or meaningful tradeoffs.
Three first-run slots	Initial limit	The first playthrough supports three equipped Artifacts, requiring players to choose which passive effects belong in a focused setup.
Fourth Artifact slot	New Game+	New Game Plus adds a fourth slot for combinations that are not possible during the initial campaign.
The Aberrant ↗	Resonant	MeleeWe compare reach, recovery and attack flow when trying Forms. A dramatic silhouette alone is not enough for us to call the damage or a best build.
Untapped Artifacts	Resonant	Artifact craftingBefore committing to a setup, read the resulting effect and any activation condition. The original object's name is not a reliable description of the finished bonus.
Pickpocket's Tool	Resonant	A named Artifact included in the advertised preorder offer. The name does not prove a theft mechanic, extra currency, a loot multiplier or any particular combat bonus.We would check the exact edition and platform listing before buying. Until the effect is verified, we would not plan an economy build around it.
Wallet	Resonant	Wallet is listed as an Untapped Artifact in the Digital Deluxe package. It is an item name, not evidence that the game gives you more money or a larger inventory.If you are comparing editions, separate this uncrafted item from immediately usable cosmetics and from early-access terms.
Communications Department Headset	Resonant	The announcement-era Wiki records this headset as a newsletter signup item. Treat it as an appearance bonus, not a confirmed Combat Ability or an Artifact with passive stats.We keep newsletter rewards separate from store preorder bonuses. Buying an edition does not automatically prove newsletter eligibility.
Optical Filtering Goggles	Resonant	These goggles are the other signup item named in the Wiki overview. There is no basis in that listing for assigning them enhanced vision, hidden-object detection or a damage bonus.We would follow the official reward instructions for your platform. This reference cannot promise that an earlier promotion is still redeemable.
Service WeaponSeries background	CONTROL (2019)	Jesse's changing firearm is associated with the FBC Director and the Board. It helps explain why the Aberrant is compared with it, but the two weapons should not share a build list.If a guide recommends Grip or another Service Weapon Form, check which game it covers. A CONTROL gun configuration is not automatically usable in Resonant.
Slide ProjectorSeries background	CONTROL (2019)	This Object of Power opens doorways through its slides. Its connection to the Ordinary incident makes it important to the Faden siblings' history, not a normal item to add to a Resonant combat build.Read this as story context. The Wiki's Research Sector containment information is not a confirmed Resonant pickup location.
Aberrant Forms Compared ↗	Weapon-form system	Six named early weapon choices divide into Primary and Secondary Forms. They change the speed, reach and target pattern of Dylan's transforming Aberrant rather than representing six separate loot drops.
Combat Abilities Compared ↗	Supernatural ability system	Barrage, Seekers and Shield were presented as choices after an early Resonant encounter; their known functions point to different ways to regain control of a fight.
Artifacts and Crafting ↗	Passive equipment system	Artifacts are passive equipment crafted from Untapped Artifacts in the Gap. The known first-run limit is three equipped slots; New Game Plus opens a fourth.
New Game Plus ↗	Replay and progression mode	NG+ carries much of Dylan's combat progression into a fresh run while story-gated traversal abilities reset. It also broadens Talent, ability and Artifact combinations.