How to Use Shock in Atomic Heart

As a gutsy man once said, there’s nothing quite like a fistful of lightning. Out of all the elements one could possibly command, electricity is one of the most useful, providing equal measures of combat function and practical application. This is why it’s one of your most important abilities in Atomic Heart. Here’s how to use Shock in Atomic Heart.

How to Use Shock in Atomic Heart

Shock, or “SHOK” as it’s written in-game, is the first Polymeric ability you receive in Atomic Heart, and it remains one of the most useful throughout the whole story. It’s a fairly straightforward trick; with the press of a button, Char-les will fire off a bolt of lightning at whatever you’re aiming at. It doesn’t consume any energy or ammunition, barring a quick cool-down, and it has its own dedicated mapping independent of your other weapons and Polymeric abilities. You can’t even unequip it if you wanted to, not that you’d want to.

Related: What Does “Crispy Critters” Mean in Atomic Heart? Explained

Shock is first unlocked while you’re pursuing Petrov through Facility 3826. The first time you encounter the weapon and upgrade vendor, NORA, and… experience her delightful eccentricities, let’s say, you’ll receive the base level of Shock for free.

Shock Applications and Upgrades

The primary application of Shock is as a utility tool for activating or deactivating machinery. For instance, if you spot a maglock door with a gaggle of batteries hanging over it, you can Shock the batteries to short them out and open the door. You can also use it to temporarily disable security cameras and hazardous machinery, giving you time to run up and introduce them to your fire axe.

Speaking of disabling, Shock is also useful as a situational combat tool. When you blast a robotic enemy with Shock, they’ll be paralyzed for a few moments, which is great for either healing or follow-up attacks (the ol’ one-two punch, if you will). You can even use Shock to finish enemies off if you want to conserve ammo.

By spending Neuropolymer with NORA, you can upgrade Shock’s functions, adding greater coverage and chain lightning, among other improvements. In its ideal state, a single shot of Shock can stun an entire crowd of robots all at once, giving you the perfect opportunity to line up a spicy shot.

Shock is always at your disposal, so don’t hesitate to make use of it whenever you wanna ride the not-so-proverbial lightning.

For more vital assistance in Atomic Heart, check out our guides on retrieving Claire’s head and right arm. Visit our Facebook page as well for more news and guides.