In addition to its core FPS elements, Atomic Heart also features two customizable RPG-style skill trees which are accessible through NORA machines. One applies to the player's A.I. Glove companion, Char-les, while the other applies to the player character P-3. These character upgrades and abilities can grant bonuses to a range of gameplay mechanics such as movement, healing, and carrying capacity.
Contrary to the glove abilities in Atomic Heart, character abilities do not grant visible boosts but rather statistical ones - nonetheless, they can be just as useful, particularly with regard to overall defense and damage absorption. Each ability will cost neuropolymers, a fictional currency that can be collected throughout the game from fallen enemies and areas where loot is present such as drawers, desks, and lockers. Like the glove abilities, certain items will be locked until the prerequisite ability has first been purchased in the skill tree.
8 Nora's Kiss
As is clear from the first encounter, NORA is quite fond of P-3, in more ways than one. Fortunately, she provides a free perk early in the story known as "Nora's Kiss." This ability will enable the player to survive otherwise lethal damage with 1HP remaining. It is particularly useful for crossing through laser-guarded areas which are otherwise inaccessible, but it can also provide protection against fall damage and explosions if necessary.
The perk only lasts for a very short, limited duration, so it is best utilized in puzzles rather than combat scenarios and requires a degree of forethought before purchasing to ensure that it does not go to waste.
7 Morning Exercise
This ability grants a bonus to running speed, which, again - might not sound like much. However, given the speed and intensity of many of Atomic Heart's enemies, sometimes it is easier to flee than to stay in the action, even if simply to find cover and heal up temporarily. Since there is actually no sprint function in the game, this perk is one's best bet when it comes to avoiding enemies on foot.
PC players should also be aware that, as yet, there is no "toggle walk" function either, so it can be quite jarring to run around the map at full speed. It seems that the only way to mitigate this is to play on a controller, as this way movement speeds are significantly smoother and easier to manage.
6 Second Wind/Sleazeball
The dodge mechanic is one of the basic skills to master in Atomic Heart. Considering the scarcity of ammunition, many enemies will have to be faced in melee range, and utilizing the dodge here can be the difference between success and death. At a very low price of just 8 neuropolymers, "Second Wind" grants a secondary dodge before the cooldown timer is activated, giving players a second chance in close-quarters fights or just an extra meter or two to spring away from a pursuing attacker.
For 62 neuropolymers, "Sleazeball" will provide immunity against all damage while dodging, which can be of tremendous utility during boss battles or occasions when fans are overwhelmed with groups of powerful enemies with laser weaponry.
5 Med Unit Upgrade/Musclehead
In order to prevent dying too often, or simply to free up space in one's inventory without the need to carry excessive neuromeds, these two perks can be purchased in order to provide an increase to base health regeneration and maximum health capacity. "Med Unit Upgrade" will cost 57 neuropolymers at a NORA and will require the "Nora's Kiss," "Wild Boar" and "Photon Silk" abilities to be purchased first in the skill tree.
This will provide increased health regeneration, meaning faster recovery between combat segments. Following this, purchasing the "Musclehead" ability for 110 neuropolymers will increase base health, in addition to retaining the benefits of all previously purchased skills in the tree.
4 Cell Division
The "Cell Division" ability takes healing one step further, granting the player full health regeneration in just a few seconds - without the need to use neuromeds. This means that only a short dash can be enough to survive close encounters with powerful enemies, and emphasizes that a flight response can be more sensible than fighting, particularly when exploring the surface.
Through the skill tree, fans will first be required to unlock "Sleazeball" and its prerequisites "Second Wind," "Wild Boar" and "Nora's Kiss." The "Cell Division" ability will cost a massive 242 neuropolymers and is the most expensive available character ability.
3 Neuro-Compression Tactical Backpack
Upon reaching the surface, there will be many more weapons and collectible items available to P-3. This seeming advantage can be problematic, however, if inventory capacity is not expanded first. The only way to do this in the game is via the character skill tree, and more specifically the carry-capacity abilities.
First, players will need to unlock the "Extra Capacity Cluster Munitions" ability as a prerequisite, which will increase the number of cluster munitions available. Having done this, the "Neuro-Compression Tactical Backpack" ability will become available and this will affect overall carry capacity for all items, enabling the player to stock a larger variety and quantity of both weapons and medical supplies.
2 Juggler
The primary method of healing in Atomic Heart revolves around the consumption of Neuromeds - tiny capsules that connect with the appendages of the gloves, Char-les, and restore roughly 50% of health upon activation. The issue with these is that they require both hands, meaning that during tense combat scenarios, the player is forced to retreat and disengage to heal up.
The "Juggler" ability will enable P-3 to use Neuromeds single-handedly, keeping his weapon arm free in order to attack and defend as necessary. This ability can save crucial seconds in battle and will enable fans to stay fighting without having to worry about enemies being revived during disengagements. The "Musclehead" ability and its prerequisites will need to be acquired first, but the "Juggler" ability is relatively cheap, costing 87 Neuropolymers.
1 Full House
Switching between weapons can be a slow and cumbersome process in Atomic Heart, often frustratingly slow considering the speed with which enemies are able to close the distance, forcing a sudden and often unwanted switch to melee combat. This appears to be by design, however, and the remedy to the issue lies in unlocking the "Full House" ability for 67 neuropolymers.
This ability will greatly enhance P-3's speed when it comes to switching weapons, enabling a much smoother transition and animation which can ultimately be the difference between life and death in Facility 3826.
Atomic Heart is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.