In Control the Shield skill, like Evade, is a bit more tucked away than you would expect for such a critically important skill. You’ll need to go off the beaten path of the story to unlock Shield as you can’t use it right away. Here’s how to unlock and use Shield in Control.
How to Unlock & Use Shield in Control
If you look at the button controls for Control, you’ll see that by pressing L1 or LB, depending on your console, that you’ll be able to use Shield. However, this is not unlocked right away and it is indeed possible to play through the story without ever getting Shield.
You don’t want to do that though as Shield is a very helpful skill that will allow you to move safely from cover to cover without getting pelted.
There are lots of times where you need to pick up health but it’s too dangerous to venture out, Shield is perfect for situations like this, or just to block gunfire in general.
A Good Defense
After completing the Directorial Override mission, you’ll be notified of a new Object of Power that you can obtain, Shield, and can be tracked on your Mission screen: A Good Defense is the mission you’re looking for.
You’ll need to get to Field Training room which is located right near Central Maintenance in Control. The easiest way to get there is to take the sector elevator from Central Executive down to Central Maintenance (fast travel works too if you have it).
At first, the Hiss is blocking the Field Training room and you won’t be able to enter, but if you look around you’ll see red Hiss blobs infecting the nearby area. Simply shoot at them a few times and they will go away.
Once you clear all of them, the door to Field Training will open. Proceed in and follow the instructions to begin the test.
Field Training Test
The Field Training test in Control is actually harder than you would expect. You will need to move very quickly. If you have Evade and can Evade Jump, that will help for this.
You’ll probably fail the first time, but once you do it once or twice, you’ll know exactly where the targets are you need to hit and where the blocks that you need to launch are too. Make sure you’re sprinting as much as you can.
At the end, when you run back through the door, make sure to walk in through the open garage door right to your right to log a victory.
Control Object of Power: Shield
Once you’ve reached that room, in the back right corner you’ll see a hiss blob covered in debris. Launch everything you can at it, and shoot at it until the shield breaks and then cleanse it.
You’ll be taken to the Astral Plane where you’ll need to complete a short trial given to you by The Board, before you can complete the mission.
Simply use Shield (L1 or LB) in order to survive the onslaught and run from cover to cover until you reach the end.
Once you’ve done that you will have completed the mission. You’ll be greeted by some Hiss Guards but even if you die, you will have Shield.
That’s all you need to know for how to use and get Shield in Control. For more tips & tricks, be sure to check out our Control wiki guide.
In summary, here’s how to get Shield in Control:
- Complete the main mission Directorial Override.
This will unlock A Good Defense for you.
- Go to Central Maintenance and enter Field Training.
Taking a service elevator is the quickest way there.
- Complete the Field Training test
At the end of the test you’ll find the object of power for Shield.
- Complete the Astral Plane trial.
After completing this, you’ll have Shield unlocked.
