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Outer Worlds: How to Use Tactical Time Dilation

outer worlds, tactical time dilation

Outer Worlds’ Tactical Time Dilation is kinda like the VATS system from Fallout, except without the goofy animations, and you have way more control over what you’re actually shooting. In fact, it’s more akin to a slowdown mode than anything else, which helps with accuracy. Here’s how to use Tactical Time Dilation in The Outer Worlds.

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How to Use Tactical Time Dilation in The Outer Worlds

Early on in the game, as you’re getting your bearings and getting used to the controls, you’ll be introduced to the Tactical Time Dilation mechanic.

All you have to do is tap the L1 button (or LB if you’re on Xbox One) to activate it. Once activated, time will slow down, allowing you to aim at your opponents more accurately, and line up your shots for critical damage if possible.

You’ll also need to keep an eye on the purple gauge in the top left corner, right below your health bar. When Tactical Time Dilation is activated, that gauge will deplete gradually, and the mode will end once it’s completely empty.

If you look closely at the purple gauge, you’ll also notice a white line towards the left end of the gauge. The gauge will fill up slowly over time, and once it reaches the white line, that means you can activate Tactical Time Dilation again, though the active duration will be much shorter.

It’s worth noting that the gauge actually depletes very slowly, giving you plenty of time to aim and even reload your weapons. It only depletes quickly when you’re actually shooting or attacking, allowing you to get about five or six shots off with a full bar before you need to let it recharge again.

As you level up in The Outer Worlds, you’ll be able to invest in perks that increase the gauge itself, or even reduce the cooldown time.

Time needed: 1 minute

To sum up, here’s how to use Tactical Time Dilation in The Outer Worlds:

  1. Press L1/LB to activate it.

  2. In this mode, time will slow down, allowing you to aim at your enemies more accurately and get off some good shots.

  3. The purple gauge in the top left corner of the screen, right beneath your health bar, indicates the duration of the mode.

That’s all you need to know about how to activate Tactical Time Dilation mode in The Outer Worlds. Be sure to search for Twinfinite or check our Outer Worlds guide wiki for more tips and information on the game.

About the author

Zhiqing Wan

Zhiqing is the Reviews Editor for Twinfinite, and a History graduate from Singapore. She's been in the games media industry for nine years, trawling through showfloors, conferences, and spending a ridiculous amount of time making in-depth spreadsheets for min-max-y RPGs. When she's not singing the praises of Amazon's Kindle as the greatest technological invention of the past two decades, you can probably find her in a FromSoft rabbit hole.

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