Usually the modern sequel to a classic PC game ends up simplifying it. Human Revolution, however, doubles the number of different augmentations you could give yourself in Deus Ex.
It also puts more of the burden of choice on you: you can install any augmentations you have the points for, rather than just the ones you've found the right canister for.
So until you know how they all work, it's not easy to plan your character. You earn Praxis points, the level-up currency, quite slowly at first, and there are no refunds for choices you regret. So I'll talk you through the best augs, what they do, and what kind of playing styles they suit.
Bear in mind that you earn Praxis points for accumulating a lot of experience, and you get more experience for some playstyles than others. Just shooting everyone until they die, for example, is the worst way to go. Yes, you get 10 points for each kill, but that's in contrast to 100 for every alternate route and secret area you find. When you do take people down, doing it non-lethally and in one hit gets you the most experience. There's an extra 250 in it for you if you complete your objective without setting off alarms, and a whopping 500 XP for doing your job without being seen at all.
1. Read minds
If you're interested in the talky side of Deus Ex, get the Social Enhancer aug as early as possible. It'll analyse a person's brainwaves to give you a hint about their personality. If you start losing a heated argument, you can release pheromones and exploit your knowledge of their character to smoothtalk your way out of it. Even in normal conversations, you'll get new dialogue options that lead to information or help it's impossible to get otherwise.
2. X-ray vision
Whether you're planning to go stealthy, violent or both, the Smart Vision aug is amazingly useful. It lets you line up a shot on an enemy's head before he comes round the corner, or hide before he has a chance to spot you. It also highlights cameras, locked doors and computers – perfect for finding the nearest security console without blundering into every room. Then you can turn off cameras, bots and turrets, or take them over.
3. Stay mobile
Two augs are specially designed to get you into secret areas: Jump Enhancement and Lift Heavy Objects. Jump on top of big things, or move them out of your way. The difference is that Lift Heavy Objects only costs one Praxis point, and it also lets you throw stuff to knock people down. That makes it the better early choice. Get the Jump aug later if you like exploring: a few jumps can't be made without it, and it's good for getting out of danger.
4. Stab in stereo
Best aug in the game? Reflex Booster. It makes Jensen good enough in close combat that he can KO or kill two foes at once. It happens automatically, so he'll sometimes kill a civilian as well as the guard you're attacking, amusingly enough. It still only consumes one pip of energy, and the takedown animations are hilarious. It's also a huge strategic asset: you can headshot one guard and melee another two in the same instant.
5. Charge up
There are two ways to upgrade the energy bar augs consume: more cells, or faster recharge. Faster recharge is much, much more useful. The default recharge time is agonisingly long, and having more cells doesn't help much: the extra ones never regenerate automatically, so it's only an advantage when you consume a giant jar of cyberboost. Those are rare and bulky. Just eat cyber-boost bars whenever you need more than one cell.
6. Skip boss fights
A few fights suck. Don't suffer through them. Spend the three points it takes to get the Typhoon Explosive System aug and max out its damage. Don't bother buying ammo at a LIMB clinic – you get one charge free, and you'll find more lying around. Now you can run up to any boss in the game and release a swirl of explosives that will obliterate it. Some bosses take two hits, but those giant Box Guard droids only take one. And it looks badass.
7. Knock down walls
A one-point upgrade to your arm aug will let you smash down any weak points you find in walls around the levels. There are actually lots of these, if you look for them, and they're incredibly satisfying to punch down. But be aware that the arm aug isn't the only way to do it. Any frag explosive will knock them down too. Since wall-punching leaves you standing in the hole, it's sometimes safer to blow them up from a distance.
8. Gain intelligence
There are many, many ways to upgrade the amount of information you get about where your enemies are and what they can see. One point will upgrade your map aug, doubling the radius your minimap detects enemies, and show even those you haven't seen in real life yet. The Stealth Helper aug lets you see the radius of suspicious sounds you make. But more usefully, a one point upgrade shows enemy vision fields on your minimap. A huge help when sneaking.
9. Grant Immunity
A cheap upgrade most people will overlook is for your eyes: immunity to concussion grenades. Enemies don't throw that many at you, but you find loads throughout the game, and they can send whole groups of enemies flying. Normally, your own concussion grenades will blind you even if you're round a corner. With this upgrade, you can knock down a whole crowd of enemies right in front of you, and skewer or headshot them all before they can get up.
10. Hack more
There are four hacking augs, but forget about Hacking Analyse: you don't need to know what's in the nodes you capture. It's worth upgrading Hacking Capture to level three as soon as you can: that'll get you into most computers and locked doors in the first 15 hours of the game. You may find hacking gets hard on level three terminals – if you have two points to spare, Hacking Stealth will solve that. If you can only spare one, upgrade Hacking Fortify.
11. Hack smarter
Hacking is all about being ready for the moment you're detected. When you click on a node, hover over the Capture option to see the chance you'll be detected. If it's more than 40%, assume it'll happen. The trace program captures everything it can on its way to you, and adds points onto those nodes, making them slower for you to take. So when capturing risky nodes, capture everything else you can at the same time to get it before the enemy.
12. Hack harder
You can Fortify the nodes you've already taken, increasing the time limit you'll have once you're detected. The drawback is that Fortifying risks detection so don't do it while you're safe. The time to Fortify is when you're capturing a risky node – again, anything over 40%. While that node captures, Fortify your starting node, and every other one between you and the enemy. You can do them all at once, and since you're going to get caught anyway, why not?
If you could upgrade your senses by having a chip inserted into your brain, or make yourself stronger by having your arms upgraded or your back covered in armour, would you do it? What if it meant you were dependent on a lifetime of expensive drugs to stop your body rejecting the changes? And what if it meant you had to fly around the world hiding behind boxes and hacking into people's email?
For Adam Jensen, head of security at Sarif Industries and the protagonist of the excellent Deus Ex: Human Revolution, this isn't even a choice. He's brutally attacked at the start of the game and has to be augmented to save his life, and spends most of the rest of the game investigating why. (He doesn't have to hack into everyone's email, actually, but in our hands he couldn't help himself.)
By now you've probably made a good deal of headway in Human Revolution, if not actually completed it, and you've probably acquired up a bunch of augmentations using Praxis Points earned by gathering XP or bought at LIMB clinics. Having finished it several times through, we've used pretty much all of them, so we thought we'd run through our favourites and what they brought to the email-hacking party.
Cloaking System
When we first started playing Human Revolution, we refused to get our hands dirty. We refused even to be seen. As such, we became very familiar with the game's loading screen, and spent a lot of time sat bathed in its orange glow, waiting to respawn behind a fridge and have another go at sneaking through a Chinese gangster's apartment without being detected.
Stealth feels like the purest way to play the game, and if you want to get good at it you probably want the obvious tools first, like being able to see enemy cones of vision. But rather than max all those out - wasting Praxis Points on being able to see your last-known-position during an alarm state, for example - get yourself a cloak.
A fully upgraded invisibility shield gives you nearly 10 seconds of total anonymity per segment of your energy bar, allowing you to move almost freely across large areas. By the time you're crawling through some of Heng Sha's nastier districts that could be the difference between perfect stealth and - gnrnrngh - raising Suspicion among cameras, robots and henchmen.
Hacking: Capture - Robot Domination
Then again, there's a difference between being seen in plain sight - clearly a badge of dishonour - and making your presence felt from the shadows. You'll probably hack into a fair few computers that let you deactivate security cameras and after a while they will also include references to security robots and turrets, but you won't be able to do anything with them.
As well as sounding like a late-generation PS2 game in a Japanese RPG series, 'Hacking: Capture - Robot Domination' changes that. Robots in Human Revolution can be the little droid guys who look a bit like mobility scooters with mounted machineguns, but they can also be massive, stompy adversaries who look like Arsenal Gear from Metal Gear Solid and will kill you in seconds, so being able to disable them, and knowing that being spotted won't mean auto-death, is a boon.
The other option, of course, is to change their targeting from 'Default' to 'Enemies', altering their priorities somewhat. Then all you have to do is stride past them and pick up the pieces of anyone who is left over.
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AUGMENTATION EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS
Not every augmentation in Deus Ex Human Revolution is as useful as the rest, there's no doubt about it. No one will argue that Strength or Jump Enhancement is less useful than Aim Stabilizer. The question is, which augmentations are useful early in the game, and which ones can be activated later on, while maximizing the sufficiency of every single aug?
The lists below go over the augmentations that are best to get as soon as possible, ones that are good to consider halfway through the game, and ones you can leave alone until very late in the game when you have Praxis Kits left to spare. Lastly, the final list goes over so-called secondary augmentations; useful additions in some cases, but less essential and often more contextual than other augmentations.
Remember, these are only guidelines. You're free to spend all your Praxis Kits any way you like, just keep in mind that some paths are more rewarding than others.
As you can see, the early in-game list only contains the essentials, so if you have any Praxis Kits left to spare, feel very free to use them for augmentations that allow you to maximize experience (such as the Reflex Booster, allowing for multiple takedowns)
EARLY IN-GAME
- Hacking Capture 2 (& 3 4 if you want to maximize XP) - Move/Throw Heavy Objects - Jump Enhancement - Cloaking System Level 1 (& 2) - Carrying Capacity 1 (& 2) (-) Reflex Booster (only if you want to maximize XP) MIDWAY IN-GAME - Hacking Capture 3 & (& 5 if you wish to maximize XP) - Punch Through Walls - Cloaking System Level 2 & 3 - Carrying Capacity 2 & 3 - Energy Level Upgrade 1 - Typhoon Level 1 (&2) (before the second boss) - Run Silently (-) Dermal Armor Level 1 (-) Icarus Landing System (when you reach a certain optional part in Hengsha that leads to a Hugh Darrow Ebook)
ENDGAME
- Hacking Capture 5 - Typhoon Level 2 - Dermal Armor Level 2 (& 3) - Recharge Rate Upgrade Level 1 & 2 - Energy Level Upgrade Level 2 & 3 - Hacking Fortify & Stealth (2 & 3) - Aim Stabilizer SECONDARY AUGMENTATIONS
The following augmentations aren't bad, but they are either very contextual and thus limiting their usefulness, they provide you with information that is already in this guide (or with useless information), or you simply won't benefit all that much from some of them. It's recommended to only spend your valuable Praxis Kits on these when you've obtained the above augmentations already.
Social Enhancer
I'd definitely recommend doing a playthrough with this at least once, simply because it looks pretty cool, but you will only be able to use it several times, and you can win Social Battles easily by reloading your game.
Radar System Level 2
It sounds really useful, but the truth is that the radar already has excellent functionality, and this augmentation doesn't help you all that much.
Stealth Enhancer
This includes Noise Feedback, Mark & Track 1/2/3, Last Known Location Marker, and Cones of Vision. These augmentations might be useful for the less experienced player, but hardly come in handy for someone who already knows to stay out of sight, and where his/her foes are located at.
Hacking Analyze Add-On
This has little practical purpose, and it's wiser to just improve your actual hacking skills.
Implanted Rebreather
The Chemical Resistance can be useful at times, and this augmentation is probably one of the best of all secondary augmentations. The Hyper-Oxygenation 1/2 can also come in handy for quickly travelling through hubs, but this is more a nifty little thing rather than a life-saving augmentation.
Recoil Compensation
If you're heavily relying on combat measures, this augmentation has its uses (it improves your accuracy), but for stealth players it's not very important.
Smart Vision
A fun addition, but never required.
Cooldown Timer & Flash Suppressant
The Cooldown Timer is hardly useful, and the Flash Suppressant is very contextual.
Sprint Enhancement
This only improves your running speed from 6.5 meters per second to 7.5 meters per second. The Hyper-Oxygenarion augmentations are far better.
Sprint/Jump/Land Silently These are extremely contextual.
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Posted by4 years ago
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So I am playing through Human Revolution a 2nd time right now as I love the game (Especially the atmosphere. Jensen's Apartment is one of my favourite places). Sadly, I have not completed Deus Ex 1 (I believe I stopped playing just before going to Shanghai? Hong Kong? I forget.) I had it on PS2, so maybe that is why I could never get 'into' it, and will probably try it on PC to see if I can. Still, i think it might be more difficult after HRs great cover system.
Anyway, I know what is considered the 'Canon' ending of HR but I actually want to know more how that effected of what has happened by Deus Ex 1. Why is there no people walking around like Adam Jensen (Augmented limbs, transforming fingers, etc). Did they get replaced by 'slots', which simply sounds like you slot in some hardware to your brain or flesh and bone.
Or am I just being stupid here and they are actually the same thing, just it is more prominent in HR because of the graphics gap. Thanks guys!
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Cranial Augs – Use Your Head!Social Enhancer – This augmentation adds interface elements to the game that will help you determine how you conversation choices are impacting your interactions with an NPC. In addition to this, you’ll be provided with helpful information about the NPC’s attitude that can assist in resolving a war of words in your favor. It’s handy for non-combat characters, particularly since it requires just two Praxis points to unlock and fully upgrade. Radar – When you begin the game, you will be given access to rudimentary radar that will provide you with information about the movement of nearby characters. The radar works when you spot a character and has a range of 25 meters. For a cost of one Praxis point you can upgrade the range to 50 meter and include all characters on your radar, regardless of if you’ve previously spotted them. In my opinion, it’s a must-have upgrade. Infolink – This is your connection with headquarters. It lets you receive and send communications without being heard. You receive, fully upgraded, for free. Stealth Enhancer – A deep augmentation tree, you’ll need two Praxis points to unlock it and one point for each additional enhancement. The basic Stealth Enhancer you receive when you unlock the aug reduces noise generated while you move. Additional investment will allow you to see the line-of-sight of opponents and/or mark opponents for easy tracking. While this is useful for stealth builds, I would not call it absolutely essential, since other augmentations can render you entirely silent and invisible. It is actually of more use for a balanced build that relies on some measure of stealth but won't be investing into those more expensive augs. Hacking: Capture – Another deep tree, this aug improves your ability to hack terminals. In essence, it acts somewhat like skill points. Several enhancements make it possible to have more stuff (robots and turrets) and the rest allow players to hack more complex terminals. If you’d like to make use of hacking in the game, these are must-have upgrades. You receive the very first level of this augmentation for free. Hacking: Analyze – A small tree, choosing this will provide you with some additional information about how long hacking a node will take and, at its highest level, the contents of data stores. This won’t be of much use to people who aren’t already investing into Hacking: Capture. Hacking: Fortify – Another small tree, this increases the fortify rating when performing the fortify action in the hacking mini-game. Again, this is not a necessity, but it will make those high-level hacks easier. I would choose this before Hacking: Analyze. Hacking: Stealth – This decreases your chance of detection whenever you hack a node. It can be of use for almost anyone interested in gaining a little extra hacking skill, and in my opinion should be your first stop after you’ve dived into Hacking: Capture. Torso AugmentationsSentinel RX Health System – Allows regeneration of health automatically. You gain this for free. Sarif Series 8 Energy Converter – A critical augmentation, investing down this tree can provide a higher energy maximum and makes recharging quicker. It’s a must-have aug for anyone who makes frequent use of takedowns as well as stealth characters who are going to be using the cloak aug. Implanted Rebreather – At its first level, this renders you invulnerable to gas grenades. I’d say that’s a must-have for anyone going combat heavy, since gas grenades are often used by tougher opponents to try and flush you out. The higher levels only increase sprint duration, which is less exciting. Typhoon Explosive System – This is a nasty AOE attack that requires energy to use. It can be extremely effective, but I suggest taking an all-or-nothing approach to it. The first level only damages human opponents, but a fully upgraded system will kill most human and robotic enemies outright. Arm AugmentationsCybernetic Arm Prosthesis – This is a complex tree. Early on, the augmentation makes it possible to bust through walls (snapping the neck of anyone on the other side). Depending on how you spend your points, you can also use this to move heavy objects, reduce weapon recoil and increase inventory size. It’s a pretty good tree for combat characters because of the larger inventory and recoil reduction, but just about everyone can use the upgrade that allows for lifting heavier objects. Aim Stabilizer – Choosing this reduces recoil caused by movement. The first level reduces it by 50%, and the second reduces it completely. Though this sounds pretty nice, there aren’t many situations where you’ll want to be shooting while not behind cover. Still, a very heavy combat build that is already taking Dermal Armor could find use for this. Eye AugmentationsSmart Vision – Apparently, it’s clever to see through walls, because that’s all Smart Vision does. Considering that it’s not a tree but rather an ability you can basically buy outright for 2 Praxis points, most characters are going to want to pick this up. Retinal Prosthesis – You start this game with the first level of this aug, which simply provides your HUD. Additional points will show you the exact amount of time enemies will remain in an alarmed state and/or protect you against the blinding effects of grenades. The alarmed state aug would be great for stealth builds, while the concussion grenade aug would be a nice addition for combat builds, though I wouldn’t call it critical. Back AugmentationsReflex Booster – A quick two point investment, this makes it possible to take down two opponents at once. It’s a must-have for combat builds looking to mix it up at close ranges, and also great for stealth characters. Those who prefer to be at range won’t need it. Icarus Landing System – Want to fall from great heights without worry? Here’s the aug fo you. It’s another quick investment that provides a useful ability. Anyone who wants to explore the game world or play a stealth build will want this. Skin AugmentationsDermal Armor – This provides a straight 15%/30%/45% passive reduction in damage along with an optional ability that will render you invulnerable to EMP effects on your augmentations. Heavy combat builds will absolutely want this, but don’t get too cocky. Unlike the similar augmentation in the original Deus Ex, this doesn’t render you virtually invulnerable. Cloak – Use this to become completely invisible until your energy runs dry. The first level of this aug gives you the ability, while additional investment reduces energy consumption by 20%/40%/60%. Stealth characters will want to invest in this fully, but combat characters built to prefer melee and short-range attacks will also enjoy it, even if they only obtain the first level. As the in-game description warns, this aug does not eliminate the sound made when you walk. Deus Ex Human Revolution Augmentation Guide PdfLeg AugmentationsCybernetic Leg Prosthesis – This aug eliminates the sound made when you walk! Actually, just part of the tree does. It’s also possible to obtain enhanced jumping ability and increase your sprint speed. Investing into the silencing aug is wise for stealth characters, and most everyone can use the extra jumping height to access out-of-the-way areas. The sprint speed, however, is something I consider to be that useful. What Are The Best Augmentation Trees?So, you may be wondering, which of the augs above are the best.
In Resident Evil 4, special agent Leon S. Resident evil 4 pc. Kennedy is sent on a mission to rescue the U.S.
That's a tough choice because each character's goals may be different. However, here are some that I think are particularly good considering the point investment. Cloak – The first level only. You won't stay cloaked for long, but make it possible to cross short distances even in plain sight of guards. Stock up on candy bars, and this will make your sneaking around much easier. Reflex Booster – For two Praxis points, you can take down twice as many characters at once. Um, yes please! This is great investment for both combat and stealth characters. Smart Vision – Again, for two Praxis points, you gain the ability to see through walls. It's incredibly useful to stealth characters since it makes sneaking easier, and it's incredibly useful for people who prefer combat because it lets you see what you're up against. Deus Ex Human Revolution Praxis LocationsSerif Series 8 Energy Converter – You have to spend a lot of points to gain the full benefit of this aug tree, but it's worthwhile. Not only will your maximum energy be up to 5 times higher, you'll also regenerate your first bar of energy more quickly. Radar System – Buying this is useful for the same reasons as Smart Vision. Having more information means you can make more intelligent deceisions. ReferencesDeus Ex Human Revolution Augmentation Guide Online
This post is part of the series: Compete Guide to Deus Ex: Human Revolution Augmentations
Whether you’re augmenting Adam’s combat capabilities or turning him into an invisible ninja, our guide to augmentations in Deus Ex: Human Revolution will help you decide which augments to unlock and when to unlock them.
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