How to Change Abilities in Carrion (The Fast Way)

Carrion allows players to take over the control of an amorphous blob with an insatiable appetite for destruction. There’s much carnage to be had and even a little puzzle-solving thrown into the mix. This guide will explain the quickest way to switch abilities while scouring the complex and chewing on helpless victims.

Released on July 23, 2020, Carrion is a single-player reverse horror game that was developed by Phobia Game Studio. This game is a side-scrolling adventure that is constructed with the tried and true Metroidvania format that encourages consistent exploration and experimentation. The story focuses on a globous creature that is being held in containment by a company called ‘Relith Science.’ On one fateful day, the organism breaks free and begins its rampage throughout the complex to find its way out toward freedom. As players control the beast, they will eat various human characters and mechanical foes for self-defense, which in turn also increases its size. Thusly, there are pieces of its genetic code locked away in various laboratories throughout the game. Whenever the monster finds a piece and consumes it, it will find new upgrades to use that’ll enhance its defensive and offensive capabilities.

The creature that players use in Carrion is somewhat akin to John Carpenter’s The Thing. It has no true form, as it constantly mutates and changes its size under certain circumstances. On top of that, it can also possess human characters for its own means, which can really come in handy during puzzle-solving scenarios. By using its tentacles, the creature can traverse throughout entire rooms in short order and even slide into air ducts to sneak around and discover new areas. The tentacles are the primary tool for attack and getting around the complex. With the few distinct sizes that the creature can morph into, players will need to think ahead and figure out what’s the best way to clear out a room. The three sizes that players can transform into grants two specific abilities, one offensive, and one defensive.

The Fast Way to Switch Abilities in Carrion

Even though all three sizes give a visual treat with all the flesh-tearing madness that is abound within the complex, they’re not all created equal. The largest size is ideal for taking on mechs and fire welding soldiers, while the smallest size is useful for stealth tactics. Carrion won’t tell players how to clear out a room through its design, instead, it will be up to the player to figure out which ability is the best way to go. Even though there are quite a few skills to unlock throughout the game, the three sizes give the following basic abilities:

Large Size Abilities – Hard Skin (Keratosis) and Flesh Harpoons (Harpagorrhea)

• The ‘Hard Skin’ ability will temporarily juice up the creature to withstand incoming projectiles, especially fire. The ‘Flesh Harpoons’ could mainly be used to pull objects, including levers. Plus, the harpoons can also be used as a form of attacking enemies, if needed.

Medium Size Abilities – Dash (Xiphorrhea) and Spikes (Acanthosis)

• The ‘Dash’ ability could be used to zip through air ducts and make a quick getaway. However, it’s primarily used for breaking open wooden walls, vent covers, and smashing enemies. The ‘Spikes’ are used as damaging enemies that are at close proximity while moving, it’s a good way to clear rooms while on the move.

Small Size Abilities – Webs (Arachnoptysis) and Invisibility (Photokinesis)

• Invisibility is useful for sneaking past lasers and mechanical enemies. Watch the ‘blue meter’ on top of the screen. Once it’s full, players can turn invisible temporarily. Just keep in mind that the meter drains quick, so plan accordingly and make haste. The webs can be used to neutralize enemies and stun them so players can make a quick escape. Plus, they are used to push levers to open doors and even solve puzzles.

Whenever players take damage in Carrion, they will lose biomass and will shrink in size. Therefore, the abilities will also change accordingly. So, in order to quickly switch abilities and control which ones to use, players will need to find ways to grow and shrink their size to their own accord. In other words, using different abilities isn’t as easy as “pushing a button” in this game. There’s an organic process that’s required. Throughout the complex, there are ‘red pools’ scattered about. To shrink in size, players will need to get into a pool and hold down the ‘A Button’ to reduce the biomass into the water. Just remember where the pool is located because players will need to trek back to the same pool in order to replenish health and change size.

On the same token, if players want to increase in size, they will need to go back into the same red pool and reabsorb the biomass. Thusly, eating humans will also increase the biomass, and saving at hives will also replenish full health. Naturally, going back into red pools and saving at hives will be the quickest route to take in order to change sizes. The last method to use should be grinding throughout levels and eating enemies. It will ultimately work, sure but it’s the most time-consuming way to go. Not to mention that it is the riskiest way. The trick is that players will have to remember which pool they were last at, in order to regain the biomass and increase in size. This can be a jarring situation because when stuck at a smaller size, a single enemy can reduce the creature into red dust. So, try and plan ahead and figure out which method to use when trying to switch between abilities.

Carrion is available on Xbox One, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch and Microsoft Windows

About The Author