Throughout Delsin's journey, you'll gradually gain access to various sets of powers; you aren't limited to one or two this time, unlike with Cole in previous games. However, you won't be able to use them simultaneously, and must drain a different power source if you want to switch (i.e. if you're using Smoke and want to switch to Neon, you'll need to drain a Neon power source).
These powers, as well as your melee skills (which are universal), can be upgraded in the pause menu using the Blast Shards you've collected, which can be drained after destroying Mobile Command Units, conduit scanners, and drones. Some of these upgrades will also require you to be at a certain karmic rank, and are exclusive to Good and Evil paths.
Melee[edit]
Power-infused physical attacks for close quarters combat.
Execute[edit]
Press 
to brutally kill a surrendering or coughing enemy, earning Evil Karma.
- Unlocked: During Parting of the Ways
- Prerequisite: Level 1 Evil Karma (Thug)
Enemy Drain[edit]
Executing a surrendering or coughing enemy () will restore some energy.
- Prerequisites: Execute, Level 4 Evil Karma (Most Wanted)
- Cost: 4 Shards
Dash Strike[edit]
Dash (
) toward an enemy, then quickly Melee () for a sweeping attack.
- Unlocked: During Parting of the Ways
Dash Subdue[edit]
Dash () toward a surrendering or coughing enemy, then quickly press 
to subdue them, earning Good Karma.
- Prerequisites: Dash Strike, Level 2 Good Karma (Guardian)
- Cost: 4 Shards
Dash Slam[edit]
Dash () toward an enemy, then quickly Melee () for a lethal takedown.
- Prerequisites: Dash Strike, Level 2 Evil Karma (Criminal)
- Cost: 4 Shards
Karmic Healing[edit]
Subduing surrendering or coughing enemies () will restore some health.
- Prerequisite: Level 3 Good Karma (Champion)
- Cost: 5 Shards
Comet Drop[edit]
Press while airborne to slam into the ground. The higher the drop, the larger the shockwave.
- Unlocked: During Catching Smoke
Obliterating Drop[edit]
Land directly on an enemy with Comet Drop (Square) to instantly obliterate them, earning Evil Karma.
- Prerequisites: Comet Drop, Level 1 Evil Karma (Thug)
- Cost: 4 Shards
Smoke[edit]
Scatter and overpower enemies with explosive attacks and surprising mobility.
- Unlocked: At the start of The Visitors
Smoke Dash[edit]
Press to transform into a fast-moving cloud of smoke, Useful for closing in on isolated enemies or escaping combat to recover. Passes through fences and other obstacles.
- Unlocked: At the start of The Visitors
Vent Dash[edit]
Smoke Dash () into a red air vent to take a shortcut to rooftop level. Useful for escaping pursuit or gaining the high ground.
- Unlocked: During The Visitors
Vent Healing[edit]
Dashing through a red air vent () will restore some health.
- Prerequisites: Vent Dash, Level 2 Good Karma (Guardian)
- Cost: 2 Shards
Enhanced Vent Launch[edit]
- Prerequisites: Vent Dash, Level 2 Evil Karma (Criminal)
- Cost: 2 Shards
Double Air Dash[edit]
Air Dash () up to two times without touching the ground.
- Prerequisite: Smoke Dash
Car Boost[edit]
Jump (
) while standing on a car to ignite its exhaust fumes and launch into the air.
- Unlocked: During Parting of the Ways
Smoke Shot[edit]
Press 
to fire a medium range smoke attack.
- Unlocked: During Parting of the Ways
Sulfur Headshot[edit]
Well-aimed Smoke Shots () will cause enemies to be overcome with uncontrollable coughing. Coughing enemies can be Subdued () to earn Good Karma.
- Prerequisites: Smoke Shot, Level 1 Good Karma (Protector)
- Cost: ?? Shards
Knockout Headshot[edit]
Well-aimed Smoke Shots () will immediately Subdue some enemies, earning Good Karma.
- Prerequisites: Sulfur Headshot, Level 3 Good Karma (Champion)
- Cost: ?? Shards
Sustained Fire[edit]
Increase the number of Smoke Shots () possible in a continuous burst.
- Prerequisites: Smoke Shot, Level 1 Evil Karma (Thug)
- Cost: 5 Shards
Drain Smoke[edit]
Press and hold the 
to drain smokestacks, wrecked cars, or any other Smoke Source.
- Unlocked: During Parting of the Ways
Quick Drain[edit]
Drain from Smoke Sources in half the time.
- Prerequisite: Drain Smoke
- Cost: 2 Shards
Cinder Blast[edit]
Press and Hold to charge and fire a heavy blast of smoke and embers. Useful for destroying enemy equipment and vehicles, but rapidly drains your Smoke Energy.
- Unlocked: During Parting of the Ways
- Prerequisite: Smoke Shot
Obliterating Blast[edit]
Increases the lethality of the Cinder Blast (hold ) so it will instantly obliterate some enemies, earning Evil Karma.
- Prerequisites: Cinder Blast, Level 3 Evil Karma (Bio-terrorist)
- Cost: 6 Shards
Sulfur Bomb[edit]
Press 
to throw a non-lethal Sulfur Bomb. Enemies caught in the explosion will be overcome by uncontrollable coughing, making them easier to attack. Coughing enemies can be Subdued () to earn Good Karma.
- Unlocked: During Catching Smoke
Giant Sulfur Bomb[edit]
Increase the effective range at which a Sulfur Bomb () will cause enemies to cough. Coughing enemies can be Subdued () to earn Good Karma.
- Prerequisites: Sulfur Bomb, Level 1 Good Karma (Protector)
- Cost: 2 Shards
Corrosive Fumes[edit]
Coughing Enemies are stunned for a longer time. Coughing enemies can be Subdued () to earn Good Karma.
- Prerequisites: Sulfur Bomb, Level 2 Good Karma (Guardian)
- Cost: 2 Shards
Cinder Missile[edit]
Press 
to fire an explosive ball of smoke and embers. Useful for destroying enemy equipment and vehicles, but requires Heavy Ammo.
- Unlocked: During Catching Smoke
Orbital Drop[edit]
With a full Karmic Streak, press 
to launch into the air, then crash back down in an explosion of destructive Smoke power. Steer with the 
on the way back down.
- Unlocked: During The Gauntlet
Neon[edit]
Dismantle enemy forces with precision targeting and unmatched speed.
- Unlocked: During Go Fetch
Drain Neon[edit]
Press and hold the to drain neon signs, lights, or any other Neon Source.
- Unlocked: During Go Fetch
Quick Drain[edit]
Drain from Neon Sources in half the time.
- Prerequisite: Drain Neon
- Cost: 4 Shards
Light Speed[edit]
Hold to transform into a blazing streak of Neon light. Useful for crossing the city or escaping combat to recover. Runs over obstacles and directly up walls.
- Unlocked: During Go Fetch
Photon Jump[edit]
Press during a Light Speed run () to jump high into the air.
- Prerequisite: Light Speed
- Cost: 2 Shards
Endless Speed[edit]
Hold for a continuous Light Speed run.
- Prerequisites: Level 4 Good Karma (Paragon) or Level 4 Evil Karma (Most Wanted)
- Cost: 4 Shards
Neon Beam[edit]
Press to fire a long range neon attack.
- Unlocked: During Go Fetch
Rapid Refire[edit]
Fire Neon Beams at a faster rate.
- Prerequisites: Neon Beam, Level 3 Evil Karma (Bio-terrorist)
- Cost: ?? Shards
Laser Insight[edit]
Zoom (
) to spot weak points on enemies. Shoot blue weak points to Subdue them for Good Karma, or red weak points to Execute them for Evil Karma.
- Unlocked: During Light It Up
Laser Focus[edit]
Briefly slows down time while Zooming (). Useful for targeting enemy weak spots for Good Karma, or just shooting them in the head for Evil Karma.
- Prerequisites: Laser Insight, Level 2 Good Karma (Guardian)
- Cost: ?? Shards
Speed Loader[edit]
Light Speed () instantly recharges Laser Focus ().
- Prerequisites: Laser Focus, Level 3 Good Karma (Champion)
- Cost: 5 Shards
Extended Focus[edit]
Slows down time for longer while Zooming ().
- Prerequisites: Laser Focus, Level 4 Good Karma (Paragon)
- Cost: ?? Shards
Stasis Bubble[edit]
Press to throw an expanding bubble of Neon energy. Enemies caught in this stasis field will be frozen in time, unable to move or fight. This makes it easier to target their weak spots to earn Good Karma, or just shoot them in the head to earn Evil Karma.
- Unlocked: During Light It Up
Extended Bubble[edit]
Increase the duration of Stasis Bubbles ().
- Prerequisites: Stasis Bubble, Level 2 Good Karma (Guardian)
- Cost: ?? Shards
Enhanced Stasis[edit]
Enemies trapped in a Stasis Bubble () can be subdued with a single Neon Beam ().
- Prerequisites: Stasis Bubble, Level 3 Good Karma (Champion)
- Cost: 6 Shards
Deadly Stasis[edit]
Enemies killed while trapped in a Stasis Bubble () will be obliterated, earning Evil Karma.
- Prerequisites: Stasis Bubble, Level 3 Evil Karma (Bio-terrorist)
- Cost: 8 Shards
Phosphor Beam[edit]
Press and Hold to charge and fire an intense beam of searing light. Useful for destroying enemy equipment and vehicles, but requires Heavy Ammo.
- Unlocked: During Light It Up
Radiant Sweep[edit]
With a full Karmic Streak, press to knock enemies into the air and devastate them with raw Neon energy.
- Unlocked: During Light It Up
Video[edit]
Summon powerful weapons and allies to confuse and destroy enemies.
- Unlocked: At the end of Heaven's Hellfire
Drain Video[edit]
Press and hold the to drain televisions, computer screens, or any other video source.
- Unlocked: During Zero to Hero
Quick Drain[edit]
Drain from Video Sources in half the time.
- Prerequisite: Drain Video
- Cost: 1 Shard
Shroud of Invisibility[edit]
Press to dissolve into faint pixels, becoming nearly invisible to enemies.
- Unlocked: During Zero to Hero
Enhanced Invisibility[edit]
Sneak up on an enemy and Subdue them () without becoming visible again.
- Prerequisites: Shroud of Invisibility, Level 3 Good Karma (Champion)
- Cost: 5 Shards
Extended Invisibility[edit]
Increase the duration of Shroud of Invisibility ().
- Prerequisites: Shroud of Invisibility, Level 4 Good Karma (Paragon)
- Cost: 3 Shards
Summon Wingman[edit]
Summon a denizen of Heaven's Hellfire as a distraction.
- Prerequisite: Shroud of Invisibility
- Cost: 3 Shards
Demon Twins[edit]
Summon two demons at once to attack enemies.
- Prerequisites: Summon Wingman, Level 3 Evil Karma (Bio-terrorist)
- Cost: 4 Shards
Unholy Trinity[edit]
Summon three demons at once for an overwhelming force.
- Prerequisites: Demon Twins, Level 4 Evil Karma (Most Wanted)
- Cost: ?? Shards
Video Surge[edit]
Press to swoop across the city. Flies over obstacles and directly up walls. Dash into Satellite Dishes to launch high into the air.
- Unlocked: During Zero to Hero
Airwave[edit]
Hold while in the air to glide forward and gain speed, then pull back on the to swoop up.
- Cost: 4 Shards
Double Air Surge[edit]
Air Surge () up to two times without touching the ground.
- Cost: 4 Shards
Signal Boost[edit]
Press during a Video Surge () to jump high into the air.
- Cost: 2 Shards
Hovering Fire[edit]
Automatically Hover while Zooming ().
- Prerequisites: Video Surge, Level 3 Good Karma (Champion)
- Cost: 4 Shards
Bloodthirsty Blades[edit]
Press to mark a target and summon three Bloodthirsty Blades. Useful for destroying enemy equipment and vehicles, but requires Heavy Ammo.
- Unlocked: During Zero to Hero
Blade Flurry[edit]
Press to launch a larger number of Bloodthirsty Blades.
- Prerequisites: Bloodthirsty Blades, Level 2 Evil Karma (Criminal)
- Cost: 3 Shards
Blade Storm[edit]
Press to launch the maximum number of Bloodthirsty Blades.
- Prerequisites: Blade Flurry, Level 4 Evil Karma (Most Wanted)
- Cost: ?? Shards
Video Torrent[edit]
Press and Hold to fire a withering stream of damage.
- Unlocked: During Zero to Hero
Narrow Band[edit]
Increases the accuracy and range of Video Torrent.
- Prerequisites: Video Torrent, Level 2 Evil Karma (Criminal)
- Cost: 3 Shards
Extended Torrent[edit]
Fire Video Torrent for longer in a continuous burst.
- Prerequisites: Video Torrent, Level 3 Evil Karma (Bio-terrorist)
- Cost: 4 Shards
Hellfire Swarm[edit]
With a full Karmic Streak, press to call down an ethereal horde.
- Unlocked: During Zero to Hero
Concrete[edit]
Shrug off enemy fire and roll over them with unstoppable force.
- Unlocked: During Expose/Kill Augustine
Drain Concrete[edit]
Press and hold the to drain defeated enemies for Concrete Energy.
- Unlocked: During Expose/Kill Augustine
Concrete Shrapnel[edit]
Press to fire a medium range Concrete attack.
- Unlocked: During Expose/Kill Augustine
Extended Shrapnel[edit]
Fire Concrete Shrapnel for longer in a continuous burst.
- Prerequisite: Concrete Shrapnel
- Cost: 3 Shards
Strength of Stone[edit]
Take 10% less damage while using Concrete.
- Cost: 2 Shards
Strength of Granite[edit]
Take 20% less damage while using Concrete.
- Prerequisite: Strength of Stone
- Cost: 2 Shards
Concrete Thrusters[edit]
Press for a thrust-powered leap or hold while airborne for sustained vertical lift.
- Unlocked: During Expose/Kill Augustine
Double Lift[edit]
Release and press again for a second round of lift.
- Prerequisite: Concrete Thrusters
- Cost: 3 Shards
Triple Lift[edit]
Release and press again for a third round of lift.
- Prerequisite: Double Lift
- Cost: 3 Shards
Boulder Dash[edit]
Press to charge forward in concrete armor.
- Unlocked: During Expose/Kill Augustine
Extended Dash[edit]
Increase the distance of Boulder Dash.
- Prerequisite: Boulder Dash
- Cost: 3 Shards
Endless Dash[edit]
Hold for a continuous Boulder Dash.
- Prerequisite: Extended Dash
- Cost: 5 Shards
Concrete Barrage[edit]
Press to launch a barrage of concrete slabs. Useful for destroying enemy equipment and vehicles, but requires Heavy Ammo.
- Unlocked: During Expose/Kill Augustine
Wide Barrage[edit]
Press R1 to launch an even wider barrage of concrete.
- Prerequisite: Concrete Barrage
- Cost: 3 Shards