Experimental Augmentations Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Guide
Last update: 19 September 2016
A new category of augmentations, never seen before in the series are the experimental augmentations. Even from the beginning of the game (i.e. after meeting Koller), Jensen can allocate points to these upgrades, but in the early phase of the game you should be smart with your points and don't put too much stock into prototypes. The reason for that is that they are less versatile - they mainly help during combat, beefing it up, but they are mostly energy-intensive. The only exceptions are two upgrades: Remote Hacking and Icarus Dash which should be acquired early on (of course, everything depends on the player's preferences).
An important trait of the prototype gadgets is the inability to use most of them freely until the quest The Fix (requiring a special device acquired during The Calibrator). The lack of freedom is connected to system overloads - you will be thoroughly informed about it during the conversation with Koller (to use two experimental augmentations without restrictions, you need to disable two others from the same category).
P.E.P.S
It's an interesting prototype, allowing Jensen to shoot an energy wave at his enemies to push them away and cast them down on the ground. PEPS has only one upgrade that allows for charging more powerful projectile, which may be deadly even for the groups of enemies. The wave also pushes back movable objects, so in the early game it may be used to move big and heavy crates or fridges, in order to find hidden valuables and secret paths.
Sadly - the wave doesn't crush weakened walls, while the emitted sound effects draw enemy's attention. The energy use is not so heavy, but each use reduces the maximal regeneration level, so exercise restraint.
Remote Hacking
Remote Hacking is one of the most useful augmentations, especially when you go at it "stealth-like"
It's one of the most useful abilities even from the early phase - further upgrading is optional, but increases the number of object types which you can influence. It helps in many difficult situations, as well as during missions, reaching inaccessible places, or sneaking. The aug allows for simple hacking on some objects (cameras, later on drones and turrets, certain doors or buttons - for example, responsible for curtains in windows) which requires pressing the action button in the right moment - sadly, this method is hardly useful during combat. The enemy structures subjected to this type of hacking doesn't stay inactive for long - they are disabled for only few seconds, so you can get past them undetected.
Remote Hacking is not energy-intensive, so it should be used often. You don't have to see the object directly - all you have to do is enable Smart Vision, and you can hack the structures without sticking your neck out. Without this augmentation you may not reach all the places in the game.
Tesla
You need to aim the projectile before firing it
It's a good stun weapon. You can use it to stun human enemies and machines. However, it uses special ammunition, scarce in the game world (even merchants don't help much in this matter). Fortunately, you can manufacture it cheaply (8x for 75 parts). In this case, you have to focus on gathering parts lying around the game world or buy them from merchants.
After upgrading you can hit multiple enemies simultaneously
Tesla doesn't use energy. It's also silent and doesn't attract attention. Each of the three upgrades cost one Praxis point. Once you upgrade targeting, you can aim at 2-4 targets simultaneously that will allow you to silently eliminate whole groups of enemies, and after upgrading the effective range, it can hit targets fifty meters away (basic version - about 12)
Nanoblade
If you like your encounters to have a deadly result, this weapon is for you - it's a type of crossbow. Although it is very expensive (also because of the low availability of ammunition - you can create it: 8x for 75 parts), it can kill practically everybody with one quick, spectacular shot. It can also pin them to a wall if it's in the line of fire.
Before firing, the projectile may be loaded, or you can make a quick shot with one press of a button. The upgrade adds an explosion effect without increasing the projectiles' cost. After upgrading the crossbow can be very useful during combat with heavily armored opponents by destroying their shields, but you won't be able to kill them with one shot.
Focus Enhancement
Focus enhancement gives you time to aim the shot for maximum damage
It's a very simple upgrade that can be a favorite of many players. When it's activated, the time slows down, allowing for more precise and quicker actions, for example, eliminating a number of enemies from a sniping position. The energy consumption is mediocre, with full energy bar you'll have about 15 seconds. Fortunately, the maximal energy limit doesn't suffer a big loss once you activate Focus, so you can use the augmentation often without having many Biocells on hand.
Icarus Dash
Thanks to this upgrade, you can catch onto ledges and enter inaccessible locations
The augmentation that is not mandatory, but really useful. In the basic version, it allows for quick movement on short distances, such as dashing to the enemy, quicker relocation to a cover, or can be connected with a melee attack (or, for example, with PEPS), knocking out enemies instantly. While buying this augmentation, you should think about upgrading it straight away - the charged dash works on longer distances and allows for moving up and down, this way enabling to climb high or far-away objects.
Nevertheless - You should use this augmentation with caution. Without charging, the energy use is minimal, in case of charging - slightly increased. But if you make few jumps in a row, each jump will be much more costly in terms of energy. Fortunately, while using Icarus Dash, the maximal level of energy degenerates slowly.
Titan
The armor protects you against all attacks as long as you have some energy left
Very useful augmentation that allows you to be temporarily invincible - protecting against small arms fire, as well as explosions. In the late game many opponents will use the same trick. Main characteristic of this system is very high energy consumption - but it can be trimmed thanks to two upgrades. Sadly - the maximal energy levels decreases while using Titan, so a Biocell supply will be necessary.