Launch verified Updated Sep 27, 2026
Living Shards are the currency that unlocks new Aberrant forms at The Gap. Talent Points do not buy forms — Shards do. Most main missions grant a Living Shard, so story progress also buys your weapon kit.
How to unlock a form
- Hold D-pad Down to enter The Gap.
- Go to the underground Aberrant tower.
- Hold L1 / LB to open the form interface.
- Spend Living Shards on a locked form’s starting node.
- Upgrade nodes with Corrupted Elements, Source, and other materials (not Shards).
Wrong nodes? Use a Reset Point to refund Aberrant upgrades and reallocate.
Primary forms (Orientation pick)
| Form | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Strike | Fast single-target | ~30% crit; best beginner primary |
| Glaive | Crowd control | Wide scythe swings; good vs packs |
| Cleave | Balanced / backstab | Rewards positioning behind enemies |
You pick one free in the prologue. Others cost Living Shards later at the tower.
Secondary forms
| Form | Role | First-pick advice |
|---|---|---|
| Crush | Heavy hammer, Falter, knockdown, charge | Safest first secondary |
| Extend | Whip / long multi-hit | Take when you want reach / packs |
| Drill | Charged spear, Falter / Weaken | Strong later; leaves you open while charging |
Board offers a secondary early (Crush / Extend / Drill). Remaining secondaries and alternate primaries unlock with Shards.
Recommended unlock order
- Strike + Crush (or Glaive + Crush if you prefer packs) — see Beginner build.
- Spend early Shards on the other secondary you want most (Drill for Weaken / boss windows, Extend for range).
- Unlock missing primaries when you have spare Shards — do not starve your equipped forms’ upgrade nodes.
- Push Combo Finisher unlocks once your main pair is upgraded.
Where Living Shards come from
- Main story missions (typically one each)
- Major activities / Faults / Resonant rewards tied to progression
- Exploration and side content when short
If a form is locked for cost, keep pushing Contain the Crisis and Search for Jesse — Where to go next.
Aberrant Strength
Unlocking and upgrading any form raises overall Aberrant Strength. Investing in your active pair matters more than collecting every shape early.
Related: Aberrant forms · Builds · Artifacts