Control
Control

Factions & Key Organizations

Master Factions & Key Organizations in Control. Learn how to interact with the FBC and other groups within the.

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Factions & Key Organizations

Navigating the Oldest House requires understanding the various factions and key organizations at play. While some are allies, others pose significant threats or offer unique opportunities. This section details their roles, how to interact with them, and the rewards you can reap or dangers you must avoid.

The Federal Bureau of Control (FBC)

As the protagonist, Jesse Faden, you are the new Director of the FBC. This organization is your primary base of operations and source of support. Understanding its internal structure and key personnel is crucial for progression.

  • Key Personnel:
    • Emily Pope: Your primary research contact. Speak with her regularly in the Central Executive area, specifically in the Board Room or her office nearby. Completing her side quests, such as "A Matter of Time" (retrieving the Chrononaut Device from the Research Sector's Rituals Division), often unlocks new abilities or modifies.
    • Arish: Head of Security. Find him in the Maintenance Sector's NSC Power Plant or later in Central Executive. He provides combat-focused side missions, like "Fridge Duty" (investigating the Blessed Fridge in the Maintenance Sector's Panopticon), which reward weapon mods and source materials.
    • Dr. Darling (Recordings): While not a direct NPC, his scattered research recordings are vital for understanding the FBC's history and the nature of the Hiss. Collect all Dr. Darling's Research Logs found throughout every sector, often hidden in offices or research labs. This unlocks lore entries and can lead to hidden areas.
  • Benefits of Alliance: Access to the Control Point network for fast travel, Bureau Alerts (timed combat challenges offering rare mods and materials), and the ability to upgrade your Service Weapon and abilities at Control Points.
  • Walkthrough Tip: Always check the mission board in Central Executive near the fast travel point for new side quests from FBC personnel. These are often the best way to acquire Ability Points and Source Energy.

The Hiss

The primary antagonists of Control, the Hiss are an extra-dimensional entity that has invaded the Oldest House, corrupting FBC personnel and objects. They are a constant threat.

  • Threat Assessment:
    • Hiss Charged: Basic ranged enemies. Prioritize them to avoid being overwhelmed by their projectiles.
    • Hiss Elevated: Flying enemies that can be difficult to hit. Use Launch or the Pierce form of the Service Weapon.
    • Hiss Distorted: Stealthy, melee-focused enemies. Listen for their distinctive whispers and use Shield to block their attacks.
    • Hiss Warped: Heavily armored, slow-moving enemies. Target their weak points (glowing red areas) with Shatter or Spin forms.
    • Hiss Cluster: Support units that heal other Hiss. Eliminate them first to prevent prolonged engagements.
  • Combat Strategy: Exploit environmental objects with Launch for massive damage. use your Service Weapon forms strategically against different Hiss types. Always maintain mobility and use Evade to avoid incoming attacks.
  • Walkthrough Tip: When encountering a new Hiss type, observe its attack patterns and vulnerabilities before committing to a full assault. Many areas will require clearing Hiss to cleanse Control Points.

The Former

A mysterious, powerful entity that exists outside the direct influence of the Hiss, but is hostile towards the FBC. Its motivations are unclear, but it represents a significant threat.

  • Encountering The Former: The Former is encountered during the side quest "The Enemy Within."
    1. Initiate the quest by finding the Research & Records document in the Research Sector's Parapsychology Department.
    2. Follow the quest markers to the Containment Sector's Panopticon.
    3. You will need to navigate through several levels of the Panopticon to reach the Former's Cell. Be prepared for intense combat with Hiss along the way.
    4. The boss fight against The Former is challenging. It has multiple phases and attacks.
  • Boss Strategy (The Former):
    • Phase 1: The Former will primarily use ranged attacks, firing large energy projectiles. Use Evade and Shield to avoid these. Focus your attacks on its glowing eye.
    • Phase 2: It will summon smaller, explosive entities. Prioritize destroying these with Launch before they reach you. Continue to target the eye.
    • Phase 3: The Former will occasionally slam the ground, creating shockwaves. Jump over these or use Evade. It may also become temporarily invulnerable. Use this time to gather Health Elements from fallen Hiss or the environment.
    • Recommended Loadout: Pierce for sustained damage, Shatter for close-range bursts against summoned entities, and Launch for environmental damage and quick enemy disposal. Equip Health Boost and Energy Recovery mods.
  • Rewards: Defeating The Former grants a significant amount of Source Energy, rare Weapon Mods, and Ability Points. It also provides valuable lore about the Oldest House.

The Board

An enigmatic, omnipotent entity that communicates with the Director through the Hotline. The Board offers guidance, grants new abilities, and serves as a cryptic narrator.

  • Interaction: The Board's presence is primarily felt through the Hotline item, which Jesse carries. New messages from the Board often trigger main story progression or unlock new powers.
  • Benefits: The Board is the source of all your Supernatural Abilities (e.g., Launch, Shield, Evade, Levitate, Seize). Each new ability is unlocked by completing a Board Countermeasure (a short, often combat-focused challenge).
  • Walkthrough Tip: Pay close attention to the Board's messages. While abstract, they often contain clues about upcoming challenges or the nature of the Oldest House.