CONTROL Resonant Power Core — Charge the Central Checkpoint
Quick answer: During Welcome to Manhattan, Dylan must relay a fading electrical charge through five Power Cores to restore the Central Checkpoint. Melee the sparking orange core to pick up the charge (~20 seconds), sprint to the next core, hit it, and repeat in order. Baker’s map on the checkpoint table marks the route. Unofficial companion — route from launch Welcome to Manhattan guides.
This puzzle sits early in Welcome to Manhattan — after it, follow zone order so Shift and Reach unlock before harder Resonants.
Before you start
- Clear the plaza Hiss so you’re not interrupted mid-relay.
- Read the Power Core Servicing note / Baker’s sketch by the checkpoint workbench — the five cubes are a sequence, not separate optional puzzles.
- Scout the next hop before grabbing a charge when the path is vertical (rooftop leg).
All five Power Core stations (in order)
| # | Where | How to get there |
|---|---|---|
| Start → 1 | Central pillar (Hiss plaza) | Take charge from the sparking core by the maintenance notes; run to the core leaning against the pillar where you fought. |
| 2 | Loading dock courtyard | From the pillar, road right → left under the white unionization banner → immediate left down the ramp. Open garage has Baker’s body (Zoe radio beat) + a material chest — grab while charge is stored. |
| 3 | Rooftop north of the alley | From core 2, face the ramp, continue the alley with Hiss Spikes, climb green awnings to the roof. Clear flyers first if needed. File on the AC unit nearby. |
| 4 | FBC outpost | Cross rooftops into the concrete compound (green shipping containers, rangers). Core sits on the yellow-taped platform. |
| 5 | Checkpoint gates | Exit to the main road, hang right, sprint — longest timed leg. Hitting this core starts a multi-wave Hiss fight. |
Fight after the final core
Expect waves. Prioritize Hiss Colliders (grunts keep respawning until they’re down), then deal with Hiss Focused beam units from cover. Use secondary Aberrant Falter → Executions for heals and damage spikes. When the street is clear, use the glowing green control panels to lower the elevator toward the Watchtower.
Tips if the timer keeps failing
- Don’t fight mid-carry — store the charge in a core, clear, then continue.
- Enable Automatic Rush in Gameplay options so sprint is one tap.
- The charge resets when you hit the next core successfully; dying mid-run usually means restarting from the last powered core.
- Later areas reuse Power Core relays (e.g. Watchtower basement boxes) — same melee-and-run rules.