ELEX, developed by Piranha Bytes, is a unique blend of post-apocalyptic open-world RPG gameplay and deep faction-based mechanics. One of the standout features of the game is the diversity in powers available to the different factions. In this article, we’ll delve into the advantages of the PSI powers used by the Clerics, the Stims employed by the Outlaws, and the Mana-based spells harnessed by the Berserkers, exploring how each of these systems functions and what they bring to your gameplay experience.
The Three Factions and Their Powers
In ELEX, the factions each have their own unique approach to combat, which is largely defined by their use of PSI, Stims, or Mana. These abilities not only serve as combat boosts but also provide strategic options that make each faction distinct.
1. PSI Power – The Clerics
The Clerics wield PSI power, which is a manifestation of mental and spiritual energy. Unlike Mana or Stims, PSI draws from the mind and spirit, making it an intriguing blend of power and potential sacrifice.
PSI Power Abilities:
The Clerics have access to two main tools for using PSI powers: the PSI Thrower and the PSI Amplifier. These items shape your playstyle, and choosing between them at lower ranks can determine your approach to combat. At higher ranks, you gain access to both tools, allowing you to experiment and choose the most effective approach for different scenarios.
PSI Thrower:
- Force Field: Creates a protective barrier that damages enemies upon contact. It’s useful for crowd control and defense.
- PSI Projectile: Fires a burst of PSI energy that can hit enemies from a distance. It’s great for taking down foes without putting yourself at risk.
- Mental Manacle: Immobilizes enemies in a targeted area, giving you the chance to eliminate or disable foes without worry of retaliation.
PSI Amplifier:
- Black Hole: Creates a gravitational anomaly that pulls enemies in and knocks them down, providing excellent crowd control.
- Chain Lightning: Fires an energy bolt that jumps between multiple enemies, dealing damage to several targets at once. Ideal for dealing with groups of enemies.
- EMP Blast: A highly effective ability against machines and mutants, disabling them temporarily and rendering them vulnerable to follow-up attacks.
As you level up as a Cleric, you’ll eventually gain access to both the PSI Thrower and the PSI Amplifier, giving you a wide array of tactical options. Whether you prefer the direct damage of PSI Projectiles or the strategic control of Black Holes, you’ll be able to tailor your abilities to suit your combat style.
Advantage of PSI Power: The versatility of PSI powers allows for a mix of offense and defense, with abilities designed for both direct combat and crowd control. As a Cleric, you can mix powerful offensive abilities with defensive ones, making you a resilient and unpredictable force on the battlefield.
2. Stims – The Outlaws
The Outlaws rely on Stimulants (Stims) to enhance their combat abilities, providing temporary boosts to health, armor, and damage output. While Stims aren’t as powerful as the mystical powers of PSI or Mana, they offer practical and immediate benefits in combat.
Stimulant Abilities:
Stims come in various forms, and as an Outlaw, you have access to several types that grant different bonuses. These effects are short-term but potent, making Stims an excellent choice when you need an immediate advantage.
- Health Regeneration: Boosts your ability to recover health over time, which can be critical when exploring dangerous areas or engaging in prolonged battles.
- Armor Enhancement: Temporarily increases your armor, reducing the damage you take from enemy attacks.
- Damage Boost: Provides a temporary increase to your damage output, letting you deal more harm in combat for a limited time.
Outlaws also have a unique advantage: they can stack multiple Stimulants at the same time. This is something that other factions cannot do, allowing Outlaws to maximize their combat potential by combining Stims for greater effects. However, using these Stimulants comes with a cost: they reduce the experience points gained, penalizing your progression if used too frequently.
Advantage of Stims: The Outlaws' ability to stack multiple Stims makes them highly flexible and adaptable. Whether you need extra damage to take down a tough enemy or need to regenerate health in the middle of a fight, the Outlaws’ reliance on Stimulants gives them a tactical edge in many situations. However, the trade-off of experience loss forces players to carefully balance their use.
3. Mana – The Berserkers
The Berserkers harness the power of Mana, a mystical energy source that fuels their powerful spells. Unlike the Clerics, who use PSI to manipulate the mind and spirit, or the Outlaws, who rely on chemical enhancements, the Berserkers use Mana to control elements and perform devastating magical feats.
Mana Abilities:
Berserkers gain access to a wide array of powerful spells, most of which deal direct damage to enemies or provide protective buffs. As you level up, you’ll gain access to stronger and more varied spells, giving you a huge advantage in combat.
- Aspect of the Warrior: This spell boosts your damage output by 100%, making it an essential spell for maximizing your effectiveness in battle.
- Elemental Spells: Berserkers can control various elements such as fire, ice, and lightning, using these to deal damage to enemies or apply status effects like burning, freezing, or shocking.
- Healing Spells: While Mana is mostly used for offensive capabilities, Berserkers can also use it to heal themselves, providing a self-sustaining advantage in longer fights.
- Defensive Spells: Spells that protect and buff you against incoming damage, giving you a chance to survive tougher encounters.
Berserkers' ability to convert Elex into Mana is key to their combat prowess. They have the unique power to control and use Elex without suffering the typical negative side effects. This gives them a significant advantage in battle, especially when compared to other factions who either avoid or are negatively affected by the use of Elex.
Advantage of Mana: The sheer power of Mana-based spells makes Berserkers formidable foes. With a wide range of offensive, defensive, and healing spells, Berserkers can tackle virtually any situation. The Aspect of the Warrior spell in particular can turn the tide of battle by significantly boosting damage, making Berserkers excellent for both crowd control and sustained combat.
Choosing Your Faction: PSI, Stims, or Mana?
Each of these factions offers a distinctive playstyle, and your choice of faction will deeply affect your approach to combat, exploration, and progression in ELEX.
Clerics and PSI Power are best for players who prefer a more tactical approach, using crowd control and strategic abilities to manipulate enemies. With a versatile toolkit of offensive and defensive powers, Clerics excel in both solo and group fights.
Outlaws with Stims are ideal for players who prefer quick, burst-oriented combat. The ability to stack multiple Stimulants means that Outlaws can maximize their damage or tankability for short periods, making them incredibly effective for specific encounters, though careful management of experience penalties is necessary.
Berserkers and Mana cater to players who enjoy direct, powerful magical combat with the flexibility of elemental spells and healing abilities. The Berserkers’ capability to both deal and withstand damage makes them a great choice for aggressive players who want to dominate enemies with sheer power.
Conclusion
In ELEX, the use of PSI, Stims, and Mana offers a diverse range of strategic options that cater to different playstyles. Whether you prefer the tactical flexibility of PSI powers, the quick and impactful enhancements of Stims, or the raw destructive potential of Mana spells, each faction presents a unique path to follow. Understanding these abilities and leveraging them effectively is key to mastering the game and achieving success in the post-apocalyptic world of ELEX.
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