Scarlet Nexus is very much a game with a significant focus on its gameplay and enemy encounters. So, naturally, there are many ways to help make you stronger and more capable in battle, and thanks to the game’s Brain Map system, you will be able to do that and much more!
The Brain Map system in Scarlet Nexus is essentially your skill tree in which you apply Brain Points to unlock the corresponding ability you want and follow branching paths for better enhancements.
In the Brain Map are essential upgrades that will help the player shape the game’s combat to their playstyle. They allow them to focus on defense, offense, and movement. However, with all of these upgrades at play, some early ones are a must-have and will help you out tremendously in the early goings of Scarlet Nexus.
10 Double Jump
The game joins a few other titles coming to the PS5 in 2021 to the excitement of gamers. Combat includes the ability to Double Jump but it is unfortunately locked away in the Brain Map. However, the good news is unlocking the Double Jump can, and should, be the very first skill you purchase.
Double Jumping is helpful for a wide variety of things and should be the first thing unlocked in Scarlet Nexus. The Double Jump ability will allow you to reach secret areas, dodge enemy attacks more efficiently, and gives your character more control in specific situations.
9 Rebound
Rebound is an essential skill and can get unlocked after purchasing the Double Jump ability. Essentially, Rebound allows you to instantly recover after getting knocked down in battle, allowing you to avoid being in a vulnerable position for too long. You know, like with relationships.
When knocked down, the player will be able to press the “O” button to spring back onto their feet instantly and get right back into the action. This ability is advantageous if you like fighting in the air as many enemies will lob projectiles at you, which, if they connect, will make you fall to the ground. Additionally, larger enemies will also have no problem pushing you over, making this perk a necessity.
8 Aerial Dash
The Aerial Dash is one of the more essential skills to unlock in the early goings of Scarlet Nexus and will enable so much potential for the player in combat situations.
Essentially, the Aerial Dash is a dodge mechanic for when the player is airborne and complements the default dodge mechanic when the player is on the ground, acting more or less the same. However, the exciting thing about the Aerial Dash is it can be used alongside the Double Jump, which unlocks the ability to cover lots of ground and dodge many oncoming attacks. In addition, the movement, which is already a great feeling, gets exponentially better with the Aerial Dash.
7 Perfect Dodge Attack
In Scarlet Nexus, you will be able to perform a Perfect Dodge, which essentially slows time, allowing you to get out of the way or plan your follow-up attack.
With Perfect Dodge Attack, however, after performing a Perfect Dodge, you will be able to follow it up with an immediate attack, allowing you to capitalize on the situation entirely. This perk will also allow you to follow up that attack with more regular attacks or use Psychokinesis attacks to punish the enemy further.
6 Power Up 1
One of the core fundamentals of Scarlet Nexus’ combat system is the main character’s ability to use Psychokinesis to move and throw objects at enemies.
The Power Up 1 skill will give a 5% increase to damage dealt via the character’s Psychokinesis attacks. You will be using your Psychokinesis A LOT in Scarlet Nexus, so getting the Power Up 1 perk early on is a must!
5 Attack Up
Attack Up, much like Power Up 1, is a must for the early game, as it deals with an aspect of the combat players will be using many times over.
Attack Up will grant a +5% damage boost to their weapon attacks. The +5% scales with your current weapon’s damage output, too, making this perk worthwhile throughout the entire game, especially when equipping the late-game weapons with high damage potential.
4 Follow-Up Attack
Similar to how enemies can knock you down, you can also do the same to them, allowing you to get in and do tons of unanswered damage.
The Follow-Up Attack ability will allow you to do additional damage to knocked down enemies. While there isn’t a hard percentage, or number, of exactly how much more damage you deal isn’t necessary because you will be knocking enemies down many times throughout your playthrough.
3 Latent Power
Scarlet Nexus is classified as an action RPG, but it differs from a Diablo-style experience. For instance, there are distinct classes like a standard aRPG, but the abilities can get very support-focused. Latent Power is the first Support ability players can learn in Scarlet Nexus and is an incredibly helpful one.
What Latent Power does is, when the player’s health falls to 30% or under, they will receive a 20% boost to their damage output. Additionally, players will also receive 20% less damage from any attack. Thus, latent Power allows players to get out of sticky situations and, perhaps, encourages players to use the buffs to their advantage if the risk is worth it.
2 Additional Plug-in Equip Slot 1
Perhaps one of the more essential abilities in Scarlet Nexus is Additional Plug-in Equip Slot 1, as it will allow the player to equip an additional Plug-in.
Plug-ins in Scarlet Nexus act as perks and grant the player small-to-large bonuses such as more defense, health, power, and even more experience and monetary gain. Therefore, having access to a second Plug-in slot early in Scarlet Nexus is a tremendous benefit and should be taken advantage of as soon as possible.
1 Concurrent SAS Activation
By default, you can only activate a single SAS at a time. However, with the Concurrent SAS Activation, you will have the ability to activate two SAS abilities simultaneously.
SAS is essentially your ability to borrow your party’s skills, allowing you to deal lightning damage, turn invisible, become immune to damage, and much more. In addition, the Concurrent SAS Activation perk gives you the ability to have two active at once, aside from Electro and Pyrokinesis, which will help you out tremendously throughout the entirety of Scarlet Nexus.
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