Named loadout Updated Oct 1, 2026
This is the site-recommended CONTROL Resonant best beginner build: Strike primary, Crush secondary, Barrage first Combat Ability, and a Perfect Dodge → Retaliation talent line. It is the starter path on our best builds hub — stagger loop first, no summon trees required.
Loadout
| Slot | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Strike | Fast dual blades, ~30% crit, short recovery — safest primary |
| Secondary | Crush | Heavy Falter, armor break, knocks down; also opens some metal doors |
| Artist pick | Barrage | Cheap ranged answer for flying / elevated / distant Hiss |
| Core talents | Dominance → Perfect Dodge → Retribution → Sanctioned Retaliation → All-Rounder | Executions buff melee; dodges feed Falter + Power |
Combat loop
- Pressure with Strike strings.
- Perfect Dodge → Retaliation hit for bonus Damage / Falter.
- Swap to Crush to dump Falter and force Executions.
- Execution triggers Dominance — stay aggressive while it lasts.
- Spend Power on Barrage when you cannot safely close distance, then melee to refill Power.
Talent priority (early)
- Dominance — Executions buff melee damage
- Perfect Dodge — next attack +50% Damage / Falter
- Retribution — Retaliation +25% Falter
- Sanctioned Retaliation — Retaliation restores +50% Power
- All-Rounder — small universal Damage / Falter
- Then: Extended Retaliation, Decisive Step-Up, Restorative / Cleansing Rush options as points allow
Skip deep summon-right talent branches until you deliberately switch to a summon kit.
Next upgrades (recommended picks)
- After Dancer: take Ground Slam (default) — burst + metal Ability Barriers; Push only if you need cheap knockback — Push or Ground Slam.
- After Deserter: take Ignite (better for most) — buffs this melee loop into Mold zones — Ignite or Inferno.
- Unlock remaining forms with Living Shards when you want Drill (Weaken) or Extend — Living Shards guide.
Respec freely
Day-one hotfix made respec cheaper. Test at The Gap. More frameworks: Best builds.