Hardware hijack
Number of Nodes: 7
Key Data Needed: 4
Research Points Needed: 36
One of the most potent ways to remotely neutralize enemies and secure environments is utilizing the abilities in this research branch. This allows manipulation of scenery and, more importantly, offers some fantastic improvements to your RC Jumper and Quadcopter; however, obviously you are encouraged to purchase both RC devices first!
Environmental Rc
Purchase Price: 2 Research Points
Remote control for forklifts, scissor lifts, and cranes. Hack them first, and control them when the hacking module appears.
Thoroughly recommended! This is an early ability and should be chosen immediately, as the help this gives you cannot be understated. As you want the most number of methods to reach every objective and can also use the movement of this mechanical scenery to spook the enemy into investigating the area, there’s a wide variety of benefits to taking this. Using these remote machines as stepping stones or to gain height advantage over the enemy should be part of your game plan. With this ability, it’s all there under your control.
Proximity Scanner
Purchase Price: 4 Research Points, Environmental RC unlocked
Equip the Quadcopter with enhanced scanning capability. Foes are tagged through walls while controlling the Quadcopter in Network Hacking mode.
Thoroughly recommended! Unless you have a severely constricted interior location that the Quadcopter cannot pass through, this takes the place of scouting and tagging enemies using security cameras; this is a much more fluid and quick way to find every foe in a restricted area (remember, these enemies now appear on your minimap). You can fly up, out of an enemy’s range and still spot them all, flipping between regular and NetHack view. The information is even relayed to a Co-op partner!
Expert Rc Engineering
Purchase Price: Key Data in Crystal Spring Dam, 6 Research Points, Proximity Scanner unlocked
Reduces cooldown time for the Jumper and the Quadcopter.
Recommended if you’re constantly using one or both RC devices and the enemy keeps spotting and destroying them. If you’re more competent and can securely hide or avoid foes using the Jumper (zip it under a vehicle or behind cover) or the Quadcopter (simply fly upward!), this isn’t as helpful.
Remote Gadgets
Purchase Price: Key Data in Ferry Building, 8 Research Points, RC Engineering unlocked.
Equip the Jumper and Quadcopter to drop electroshock and explosive devices. Access using the Equipment Wheel, once in control of the remote drone.
Thoroughly recommended! This essentially turns both the Jumper and Quadcopter into offensive-capable drones with true flexibility to neutralize or kill the enemy. It’s extremely helpful in any infiltration to send a Jumper or Quadcopter close to a foe and prep a proximity trap with an electroshock or explosive device. Just don’t activate the trap while the RC drone is in the radius of the “dome,” as it may trigger the trap! Check the Devices section in this chapter for a full complement of tactics to try. Get this ability now!
Taunt
Purchase Price: 4 Research Points, Environmental RC unlocked
Equip the Jumper with an internal speaker. Taunt citizens and enemies into chasing your Jumper. Press the right trigger to activate.
While the many phrases the Jumper randomly says are most entertaining, you may find other methods of getting past a foe (e.g., distraction via an enemy’s phone hack) are quicker and easier to attempt. But the real reason for the Taunt is to move a foe who’s standing near an area you want to explore or toward a trap you’ve made (especially ones you may have trouble dropping, like elites). Using the Taunt, coax the enemy away from the area and into your waiting (and throttling) arms, into a proximity trap, or away from a location you or your co-op partner need to reach.
Enhanced Spring
Purchase Price: Key Data in Palo Alto, 6 Research Points, Taunt unlocked.
Improve the jump height of your Jumper. Hold the Jump button longer to reach higher ledges.
Thoroughly recommended! This ability allows higher vertical jumps, meaning you can almost leap over barbed-wire fencing and can maneuver to almost every objective. Also, because the Jumper can complete physical hacks that the Quadcopter cannot, such as accessing CCTs and data containers, you can use the Jumper to attempt initial infiltrations on your behalf without worrying about it getting stuck. It’s also easier to avoid enemies if you can leap over and onto a container or vehicle roof!
Speed Boost
Purchase Price: Key Data in Alcatraz, 6 Research Points, Taunt unlocked.
Boost speed for both the Jumper and the Quadcopter. Press the left thumbstick in to begin the boost.
Though this is great to have, it isn’t an imperative ability until you have the Research Points to spare. Jetting across the ground (Jumper) or the sky (Quadcopter) is always helpful, as it gets you away from foes who can destroy the drone and to a far part of a restricted area where you can help a Co-op partner or complete an objective in record time. However, if you just remain calm and careful, you can reach the same location and complete most objectives without the need for a boost. The extra speed does help the Jumper leap huge distances, though, which is an extra bonus.