At the start of Control Resonant, players face a crucial early decision: which Aberrant Form will serve as Dylan's primary attack? This choice, along with a secondary form selection, significantly influences combat strategy. Remedy Entertainment emphasizes an offensive approach, stating, "In combat, offence is the best defence." Each Aberrant Form possesses unique stats that dictate its effectiveness against different enemy types and combat scenarios.
Primary Aberrant Forms
There are three primary Aberrant Forms to choose from, each with distinct advantages. These can be unlocked later in the game by spending Aberrant Strength points and Living Shards, so initial choices are not permanent.
Glaive
Glaive offers a wide-reaching attack capable of hitting multiple enemies simultaneously and pushing them back. It deals between 70-90 damage per hit but has no chance of landing a critical hit. This form is highly recommended for beginners due to its crowd-control capabilities, which are essential when facing swarms of enemies, common in the early game and against bosses like The Artist Resonant. Its range allows players to maintain distance, dodge incoming attacks, and avoid taking damage.
Strike
Strike is a rapid attack that boasts a 30% critical hit chance. However, each individual strike deals less damage, ranging from 30-60 per hit. This form is ideal for players who prefer to gamble on dealing bonus damage, though its effectiveness against large groups is limited compared to Glaive. Strike excels in one-on-one encounters and boss fights where precision and critical hits can significantly shorten combat duration.
Cleave
Cleave is a balanced attack that delivers bonus damage when striking an enemy from behind. It deals approximately 65 damage per hit with no critical hit chance. This form is best suited for players who can consistently maneuver around enemies to exploit their weak points. While effective for certain playstyles that involve flanking, its niche application makes it less versatile for general combat compared to Glaive or Strike.
Secondary Aberrant Forms
Following the primary selection, players must choose a secondary Aberrant Form. These also come with unique benefits and trade-offs.
Extend
Extend functions as a long-range attack that can affect multiple enemies. It aids in building up Falter, with the potential for extra damage on a perfect charge. This form deals 63-127 damage and contributes 0-21 Falter. Extend is a strong choice for players who want to maintain distance while applying pressure, and it facilitates powerful executions through Dominance once an enemy's Falter meter is sufficiently filled.
Drill
Drill is a swift attack that can be charged for greater effect. A charged Drill continuously damages a target, dealing 95-280 damage and adding 0-21 Falter. While initially seeming slower due to charging, Drill is effective for locking down enemies and preventing them from attacking. It can stunlock foes, which is particularly useful against dangerous enemies with potent abilities or hard-to-dodge area-of-effect attacks. It also proves effective for quickly reducing enemy health later in the game.
Crush
Crush is a slow but high-damage attack that can knock enemies down. It can also be charged for increased damage, dealing 127-222 damage and 21-42 Falter. Despite potentially having the best raw stats among secondary forms, its slow execution leaves the player vulnerable. Crush is more suitable for experienced players who have mastered the game's combat rhythm and can time its attacks effectively to deliver substantial damage.
