Unlock Your Potential: 5 Ways to Take Tong Its Game to the Next Level
2025-11-08 10:00
When I first started playing Control, I remember feeling completely overwhelmed by the brutalist architecture and the relentless Hiss. I’d empty entire clips into basic enemies and still get cornered. It was frustrating. But then something clicked. I stopped treating it like a standard shooter and started thinking about builds—specializing my character to exploit the game’s mechanics. That’s when everything changed. I created a melee monster of a Fixer who could get through levels without ever firing his gun. I designed a Jumper with superspeed and insane throw distance, turning her into an absolute all-star on the Ground Control mission, where you’re collecting those shimmering supernatural "pearls" and delivering them to a mobile payload device. Now, moving through the Oldest House feels less like a struggle and more like a power trip. I glide through areas that used to wipe the floor with me, and even when I match with random players who are clearly new and fumbling objectives, my characters are often so overpowered that I can practically backpack them to the finish line. If you want to stop struggling and start dominating, here are five concrete ways to take your game to the next level.
First, forget about gunplay for a while. Seriously. A lot of players get fixated on Service Weapons, but your powers are where the real potential lies. I built my Fixer around melee and rapid energy regeneration. By stacking mods that boost melee damage by around 80% and combining them with mods that slash energy cost for Evade, I could dash into groups, smash everything with the Shatter function, and get out before taking serious damage. I didn’t need ammo. I just needed good timing and aggressive positioning. It completely changes the flow of combat. You stop hiding behind cover and start controlling the space. You become the threat. It takes practice, maybe 3-4 hours of tweaking mods and dying in the Panopticon, but once it clicks, you’ll clear rooms in under 30 seconds without a single bullet fired.
Second, specialize your character for specific mission types. This was a game-changer for me, especially in the Shüm arcade challenges. The Ground Control mission is a perfect example. You need to grab those glowing pearls and deposit them quickly. So I built a Jumper. I focused entirely on Launch and Movement. I used a mod that increased throw speed by 50% and another that boosted launch damage by roughly 65%. Then I stacked every mobility mod I could find—one that increased air control, another that reduced dash cooldown. The result? I could zip across the arena, snag pearls mid-air, and hurl them into the payload from halfway across the room. My clear times dropped from maybe 5 minutes to under 2. It felt less like a desperate scramble and more like a choreographed dance. Don’t try to build a jack-of-all-trades. Master one style for one purpose. You’ll be shocked how much easier the game becomes.
Third, mod farming is boring, but it’s non-negotiable. You need good mods. I must have replayed the "A Merry Chase" side mission 15 times to get the perfect personal mod for my Jumper. I was looking for a specific tier V mod that reduced launch cost by 45%. It took forever, but it was worth it. Don’t just settle for whatever drops. Identify the 2-3 mods that are essential for your build and target the missions or areas that have the highest chance to drop them. In my experience, the Board Countermeasures are a decent way to farm for specific mod types, though the RNG can be brutal. I’d estimate you need to dedicate at least 2 hours of pure farming to get a build-ready set of mods. It’s a grind, but it’s the difference between a good character and a game-breaking one.
Fourth, learn to read the room—literally. The environment is your greatest weapon. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen players ignore explosive canisters or concrete pillars they could launch. My rule of thumb is to always keep one object primed for launch, even when I’m not using it. It keeps the pressure on. Against tougher enemies like the Former, I rely almost entirely on environmental throws. I’ll hurl forklifts, cabinets, anything not nailed down. It saves energy, it does massive damage, and it often staggers enemies, creating openings for a melee rush or a reposition. I probably get 60% of my kills through Launch. It’s that powerful. Stop focusing solely on your target and start scanning for potential projectiles. It will double your effectiveness.
Finally, embrace the role of a Prime Candidate. This is a mindset shift. You are not a visitor in the Oldest House; you are its master. Move with purpose. Use vertical space. I see so many players fighting on the ground when there’s a perfectly good ledge to launch from. My Jumper spends 70% of her combat time in the air. It makes you a harder target and gives you a better vantage point. This confidence, this ownership of the space, is what separates good players from great ones. You stop reacting and start dictating the terms of engagement. You’ll find yourself clearing areas you used to avoid and completing missions with time to spare. It’s the ultimate goal. So, if you’re tired of feeling underpowered, start with these steps. Experiment. Find what feels overpowered to you. Before long, you’ll be the one effortlessly guiding newcomers through the chaos, truly ready to take your Tong its game to the next level.
