Atomic Heart Cheats and Tips
Weapon Types And Elemental Damage
Weapons in Atomic Heart are split into three categories – melee weapons, ballistic ranged weapons, and energy ranged weapons, all of which can be upgraded with mods. Ballistic weapons are the only ones that require conventional ammo and also the only ones that don’t have an alt-firing mode or a special attack, although they do make up for it by allowing ADS. Energy weapons are the complete opposite as they don’t allow you to aim down sights but have alt-firing modes and don’t require ammo.
In addition to physical damage, weapons in Atomic Heart can also deal elemental damage. Energy weapons always inflict electrical damage while the Fat Boy rocket launcher always deals explosive damage. Other weapons do regular physical damage, however, they can be upgraded with Cartridge Modules and then equipped with fire, ice, or electrical cartridges to inflict elemental damage of the corresponding type. However, keep in mind that cartridges get depleted pretty quickly and need to be replaced often. Cartridges can be freely switched between weapons at any time and can even be applied to melee weapons.
Ability Combos
Certain abilities work best when used in conjunction with other abilities or elemental effects. For instance, you can use Mass Telekinesis to lift enemies into the air and shock or freeze them while they’re floating helplessly. You’ll need to be quick, though, because enemies will drop once you switch abilities. Alternatively, you can inflict elemental damage on floating enemies at a more leisurely pace using your weapons.
Meanwhile, Polymeric Jet can be combined with Shok or Frostbite to deal elemental damage or even stun certain enemies for prolonged periods of time. While there’s no fire-based ability in the game, you can ignite Polymeric Jet using a weapon equipped with a Fire Cartridge. The combat Polymer will burn for some time after being ignited and will inflict damage to everything in the area, including yourself. Best not to step into the fire. Electrifying the polymer will yield a similar result, however, you can safely walk on frozen Polymer.
Keep An Eye On Your Energy Meter
Energy is one of your most important resources in Atomic Heart. As mentioned previously, it acts as a power source for energy-based weapons and gets depleted surprisingly quickly if you’re not careful. While regular shots only deplete a small amount of energy, charging a special attack will drain a huge chunk of it. Your character restores lost energy over time, albeit at a very slow rate. Melee weapons restore energy with every hit and are a great way of supplementing your natural recharge rate.
If you’re planning to focus primarily on energy weapons, it’s a good idea to spend some of your Neuropolymer on upgrades from the Energy Management tree. Among other things, you can add extra Power Cells, increase your natural energy regeneration rate, and improve the amount of energy restored by melee attacks. It’s worth noting that using abilities doesn’t deplete energy, so feel free to use them as often as you want.
Respec As Often As Needed
Speaking of abilities, Atomic Heart is more generous than other games when it comes to allowing players to experiment. Players can use a resource known as Neuropolymer to unlock new skills and abilities at one of the many upgrade stations scattered around the world. You don’t have to worry about respec penalties in this game, so feel free to switch around your skills and abilities as often as needed. Simply select an activate skill or ability and hit the ‘Return’ option to receive back all the Neuropolymer you spent on it.
Atomic Heart also uses a similar system for weapons. You can craft weapons, consumables, ammo, or cartridges using a combination of materials like Metal Parts, Superconductors, or Energy Modules. There are eight types of materials in total. Anything that can be crafted can also be disassembled and there are no penalties for doing so. You’ll get all the materials you spent whenever you disassemble something, including any materials spent on upgrades. Don’t be shy about disassembling ammo for weapons you’re not using or consumables that you have an excessive amount of.
