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Knowing this, it is wise to review each slab and upgrade before deciding on the rest of the build. Certain effects have wonderful synergy with trinkets and guns while others don’t maximize the potential. This is a breakdown of each slab in Deathloop and the servings of upgrades they offer up.

Reprise

Reprise: Die twice and come back. Die a third time, and the day restarts. There are no upgrades for the reprise slab.

Some players reading this will forget that reprise is a slab. Gained during the tutorial portion of the game, it feels like a permanent Colt superpower. And since it can never be unequipped, it kind of is.

Don’t forget that Colt is a Visionary himself. The ability to die twice before his permanent death is likely a power that was intended for him and only him. Understandably, there aren’t any upgrades; imagine a Colt that could die four times or come back stronger with each death. Poor Julianna already has her hands full!

Aether

Aether: Become almost entirely invisible. Ghost: Aether doesn’t consume power while you’re standing still. Flicker: Attacking while using Aether makes you appear briefly, but doesn’t halt the effect. Erase: While Aether is active, killing an enemy doesn’t leave a trace. Phase: Damage doesn’t deactivate Aether and you suffer less damage while it’s active.

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Compared to many games where “almost” invisible still leaves a blatant trace around the player’s body, Aether is a much better invisibility. NPCs don’t pick up on Colt at all unless they are basically within melee range and opposing Juliannas only see Colt as a faint purple wisp. Even this effect is infrequent.

Shift

Shift: Teleport over short distances. Reach: You can travel further - and higher - when using Shift. Airborne: Using Shift in mid-air briefly halts your fall. Dropkick: Kicking during a use of Shift produces a powerful (and dangerous) sonic boom. Swapper: Shift can be used to swap your position with that of an enemy. Get creative.

Teleportation in a game all about movement is as powerful as it sounds, allowing Colt to reach unreachable rooftops and sneak past laser grids and security systems without setting them off. It’s also handy in combat or against a Julianna where the only way to win is to run.

Havoc

Havoc: Become tougher and hit (and kick) harder. Euphoria: The more damage you take while using Havoc, the more damage you dish out. Withdrawal: Regain power by damaging your foes while using Havoc. Invigorating! Backlash: When Havoc ends, you release a powerful and damaging blast. Bulwark: Hits don’t drain power, but Havoc drains power faster. Also, you move slower.

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Havoc is ideal when there is going to be a fight and you know it, dealing extra damage while the power is effective. If players manage to get the drop on an enemy Julianna or Colt, Havoc is likely the best slab in the game for ending a firefight nearly instantaneously.

Karnesis

Karnesis: Throw enemies around. . . painfully. Suspension: Enemies thrown by Karnesis hover helplessly in the air. Easy pickings. Flesh Bomb: Enemies affected by Karnesis land with a damaging blast. Zone: Use Karnesis to push away multiple enemies for some much-needed breathing room. Slam: Using Karnesis again on affected enemies violently hurls them down.

While most of the other slabs are utility pieces or means of boosting damage, Karnesis acts as a damage source all on its own. When holding a direction, enemies will be launched in the same way, including off of cliffs or into the air for easy headshots.

Nexus

Nexus: Link enemies. Hurt one, hurt all. Attraction: Nexus projectile home in on enemies until they become unstable. Influence: Enemies affected by the Nexus spontaneously create connections to others nearby. Protection: Nexus drains your power at a slower rate. Parasite: When someone affected by Nexus takes damage, you regain health.

Not only does Nexus bind enemies to share damage, but opponents aren’t even aware that they are under the effect of the Nexus. Being able to do damage to individuals and have it also hurt others is a great way to save bullets and devastating against Visionary bosses who are forced to receive the damage done to their minions.

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