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Best Skills to Get First
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 comes with a host of new abilities, combat moves, traversal mechanics, and some neat new spider-gadgets. All of these are improved by leveling up and putting points into one of three skill trees. That’s right, this time around you’ll be putting skill points in Spider-Man’s skill tree, the other Spider-Man’s skill tree, and a shared Spider-MEN skill tree. Here are the best skills you should unlock first in Spider-Man 2.
Of course, as you progress, you’ll get comfortable in your own playstyle and you’ll start to figure out which skills will work best for you so you’ll know what to prioritize. Also, while grabbing the skills you want first is always recommended, don’t stress about skill point shortage, as the Marvel's Spider-Man 2 will give you enough points to eventually max out all three skill trees when you hit the level cap.
Best Skills to Get First in Spider-Man 2
We've organized the skills and combat abilities to get first below, but you can watch the video above for the same information!
Traversal Skills
Alongside the expanded world of Marvel’s New York with the Queens and Brooklyn burroughs, some of the most exciting additions to the game come in the form of enhanced traversal options - though you’ll need to invest in them first.
- Slingshot Launch
- Loop de Loop
- Corner Tether
- Spider-Jump
- Spider-Dash
- Aerial Escapades upgrade
Via the shared tree between Miles and Peter, you’ll want to head down the middle path as soon as possible. Starting with Slingshot Launch, then Loop de Loop, followed by Corner Tether, the Spider-Jump and Spider-Dash, and finally the Aerial Escapades upgrade, you’ll make your navigation of the city so much more dynamic, fluid, and even more entertaining.
The biggest standout of the bunch for us is Slingshot Launch. This allows Spider-Man to slingshot launch anywhere without the need for a Super Slingshot launch pad, though of course, not as far. Loop De Loop gives Spider-Man the ability to do a full loop from his dive swing, propelling him forward quickly. Corner Turn makes cornering buildings incredibly stylish.
Finally, Spider-Jump and Spider-Dash are excellent ways of gaining instant height and forward momentum respectively, and immediately deploying your Web Wings after a Spider-Dash is one of the fastest ways to get around in the game, with the Aerial Escapades skill allowing you to use those abilities much more often!
These shared skills make combat smoother for both Miles and Peter.
Combo Resupply
Your gadgetry is vital in keeping combat flowing smoothly and preventing you from being overwhelmed. As such, a key skill to unlock super early is the ‘Combo Resupply’ ability which is early in the shared skill tree. This adds a chance for a free gadget shot to become available at the end of a basic 4-hit melee combo.
This means that every time you execute a basic string of attacks, you’ll have a chance at obtaining a free use of any of your currently unlocked gadgets. You’ll want to watch for this indicator, though, as you’ll only have a limited amount of time to use the gadget before it disappears and returns to its normal usage cost.
Web Whip
The ‘Web Whip’ ability in the shared skill tree is also particularly valuable as you’ll be able to hold △ and then tap R1 against an enemy with any weapon and you’ll rip it out of their hands and slam it back at them as a projectile. This doubles up as a way of dealing damage, while also removing ranged or more dangerous melee threats from the equation.
Bounce Up and Air Swap
Another duo of abilities to consider is ‘Bounce Up’ and ‘Air Swap’ on the shared skill tree, which allows you to rebound a floating enemy back into the air, and spring/dodge behind an airborne enemy, both of which add a large amount of flexibility to your air Combos, and make staying in the air for longer much more viable. Keeping your enemy in the air pairs well with some of the damage and focus suit tech this time around, as a lot of those upgrades depend on your fighting mid-air. For example, Air Marshal in the damage section increases your damage while mid-air, and Aerial Focus, which admittedly is at the end of the focus section but it’s still important to keep in mind, increases your focus regeneration while performing air attacks.
Gadget Resupply
A little further down the shared skill tree is ‘Gadget Resupply’ which resupplies a gadget shot upon using a Finisher. This one skill becomes ridiculously powerful if you are being effective in combat in using gadgets and managing/reserving Focus to perform Finishers on the right enemies at the right time. By doing so you`’ll have essentially a constant flow of Gadgets to use and Finishers to deal out with little to no delay between the two.
Combat Abilities
New to Spider-Man 2 are the dual dials on the HUD that act as hotkeys that let you activate various abilities, each unique to Miles and to Peter. While you’ll begin the game with a only a couple, you’ll need to invest your Skill Points to unlock the rest. This will give you as many options within combat as possible, which can be invaluable as you encounter tougher enemies further into the game. Here are a few standouts.
Peter's Combat Abilities
Spider Rush (L1 + Triangle)
For Peter, we highly recommend grabbing Spider Rush, as it propels you forward, damaging all of the enemies in your path. Spend another point on Tornado, and Spider Rush will even pull in enemies that may have been out of range in the flurry.
Spider Shock (L1 + Circle)
Another great one is Spider Shock. While Miles may have Chain Lightning, Peter’s Spider Shock sees his mechanical spider legs shoot his foes with electrical web lines, which also leaves them vulnerable to attacks. Upgrade Spider Shock to have it hit more enemies.
Miles' Combat Abilities
Miles’ skill tree is a bit more straightforward than Peter’s as he’s still only rocking his awesome Venom Powers. No, not that Venom. The sparky venom.
Venom Dash (L1 + Triangle)
To even begin this skill tree, you’ll need to grab Venom Dash, which sees Miles sash toward an enemy and throw them with a burst of the venom shock. A great early upgrade you can add to this is Venom Double Dash. No, not that Double Dash. This skill essentially gives you a free venom dash by just pressing the buttons again once the first move is done. It’s a no brainer.
Venom Jump (L1 + X)
And finally, Venom Jump rules as it will lift your enemies into the air and stun them. A stunned enemy is the best enemy. And don’t worry if there isn’t a huge group around, if you grab the Venom Jump Mastery skill, it’ll recharge the ability to 50% after use if the jump only grabbed one enemy.
Spoiler Skills
Peter’s Other Form
Part way through the main story, Peter will get the Symbiote suit, giving him even more alien ways to win in fights.
Symbiote Strike (L1 + Triangle)
Symbiote Strike will lunge towards enemies, grouping them up and then flinging them into the air. We must also point out, this is one of the coolest looking combat abilities in the game.
Symbiote Yank(L1 + X)
And finally rounding Peter off is Symbiote Yank, which sees the symbiote reach out and grab enemies, pulling them towards you and slamming them down on the ground. Excellent for crowd control and grouping enemies up.