Consumables and Items

Alcohol

There are several varieties of alcohol in the game, but all of them have a similar effect. These consumables restore health to your character, but leave your vision distorted for a moderate period. Use them when you’re escaping from enemies and don’t need to aim for the next 30 seconds or so.

Because you can also boost for maximum health with Alcohol, it’s sometimes useful to drink heavily before a big fight starts. That way, you get the benefits of increased max health, but you can wait to start the fight when the negative effects wear off. The positive effects take longer to dissipate, so you end up with clear vision long before you lose your bonus health.

Biocell

Biocells instantly restore a large amount of maximum energy. They’re a lifesaver when you need to use your abilities and can’t wait for natural regeneration to get you what you need. Save these for major challenges so that you always have a few to spare.

Datascan Software

Use this during hacking to reveal hidden datastores. These locations get you free XP or money, so they’re useful to grab before you finish your hack.

Hypostim

Hypostims instantly restore a major portion of lost health. Save them for big battles when the risk of death is substantial, and let your natural regeneration, Alcohol, and Painkillers do the work for less serious confrontations.

Multitool

Multitools let you break into anything (once). Each Multitool is destroyed when used, so save them for high-end hacks that are above your character’s skill level. In general, level 5 security systems warrant this the most, but even many of them have codes that can be discovered if you hack lesser systems close by and discover the numbers you need. Wait to use a Multitool until you’re really stumped on an important door or safe.

Nuke Software

Nukes instantly overrun a node during the hacking minigame. They set off a trace, so you really shouldn’t use them unless you’ve already had a trace begin and need to hit a high level node very quickly. If there isn’t a trace running, just try to take the node normally. Until the clock is ticking, the extra time doesn’t cost you anything.