Defeating Hiss Guards using the Spin weapon form in Control can be one of the most satisfying ways to clear out enemy encounters. Spin is a rapid-fire alternate form of the Service Weapon that functions much like a submachine gun, delivering a high volume of bullets in a short burst. While some players may prefer more precise forms like Pierce or Charge, Spin is especially effective for close to mid-range combat, making it ideal for clearing rooms filled with Hiss-infected enemies. To complete objectives or challenges that require killing Hiss Guards specifically with Spin, players need to approach each combat situation strategically while understanding both enemy behavior and weapon efficiency.
Understanding the Spin Weapon Form
What Is Spin?
Spin is one of several alternate forms of the Service Weapon. It’s unlocked fairly early in the game and can be upgraded to increase accuracy, rate of fire, and ammo efficiency. Unlike Grip, which is more balanced, or Pierce, which acts like a powerful sniper, Spin fires rapidly and can shred enemies at close range.
Its high fire rate makes it especially deadly against unarmored or lightly armored targets, like standard Hiss Guards. However, it can also be upgraded to handle more resilient enemies if equipped with the right mods.
How to Unlock Spin
You can unlock Spin at a Control Point by accessing the Astral Constructs menu. To construct Spin, you’ll need a combination of Source energy and specific materials like House Memory or Ritual Impulse. Once constructed, you can switch to Spin using the weapon wheel by holding the weapon switch button and selecting it.
Who Are the Hiss Guards?
Enemy Profile
Hiss Guards are among the most common enemies in Control. They typically carry standard firearms and behave like traditional human soldiers, though they are possessed by the Hiss. These enemies usually work in squads and use cover during firefights. While they are not the most dangerous foes in the game, their accuracy and numbers can overwhelm unprepared players.
There are stronger variants of the Hiss Guard later in the game, such as those with shields or elemental abilities. However, the standard type is your best target for completing Spin-specific challenges due to their relative fragility and frequent appearances.
Best Strategies for Killing Hiss Guards with Spin
Engage at Close Range
Spin performs best at short to medium range. It loses accuracy the farther you are from the target, so try to close the distance between you and the Hiss Guard before opening fire. Use cover to move in, or dash directly if you’re confident in your health and timing.
Use Mods to Enhance Spin
Weapon Mods can drastically improve Spin’s performance. Equip mods that enhance:
- Rate of Fire: Increases how fast Spin shoots, allowing quicker kills.
- Ammo Efficiency: Reduces how quickly you run out of energy, allowing longer sustained fire.
- Damage Boost: Helps you take down enemies with fewer bullets, especially useful against armored Hiss Guards.
Combine these mods with Personal Mods that increase your health or energy recovery to stay in combat longer.
Target Weak Points
Like many enemies in Control, Hiss Guards have critical weak points the head. While Spin is not a precision weapon, aiming slightly above center mass increases your chance of landing critical hits, especially at close range where recoil is less of an issue.
Use Abilities in Tandem
While the goal is to kill enemies using Spin, don’t ignore Jesse’s other abilities. Use Launch to stagger groups, or Shield to block incoming fire as you close in. Once the enemies are disoriented, follow up with Spin to finish them off. Combining Spin with Levitate also gives you the advantage of shooting from above, a tactic that can confuse grounded enemies like Hiss Guards.
Ideal Locations to Farm Hiss Guards
Main Story Missions
Several missions provide large-scale combat encounters where Hiss Guards appear in large numbers. Examples include:
- Welcome to the Oldest House: The early part of the game where Spin is first introduced includes many basic enemy types.
- Directorial Override: Features multiple control point fights against Hiss Guards in tight corridors.
- Old Boys’ Club: The mission to restart the NSC Power Plant is packed with combat opportunities.
Bureau Alerts and Side Missions
Optional content like Bureau Alerts or countermeasures often ask you to kill specific enemy types. Accept one that involves Hiss Guards and then equip Spin before jumping into the fight. Side missions like A Good Defense and What a Mess often spawn lower-tier enemies in high numbers, making them great for farming kills with specific weapon forms.
Control Points with Respawning Enemies
Certain areas in the Oldest House are hotspots for enemy respawns. The Central Executive, NSC Coolant Pumps, and the Maintenance Sector often trigger combat events when you fast travel there. If you’re farming kills, visit these locations repeatedly and focus your attacks with Spin.
Handling Difficult Situations
Hiss Guards with Shields
Later in the game, Hiss Guards may come equipped with energy shields that block bullets. In these cases, you can use Launch to break the shield first, then finish them off with Spin. Alternatively, try mods that increase Spin’s damage against shielded enemies if available.
Crowd Control Tactics
If you’re fighting multiple enemies and need to ensure the kills count specifically for Spin, avoid using area-of-effect attacks like Launch unless necessary. Keep your focus on finishing Hiss Guards with the Spin weapon alone to make sure the challenge tracks correctly.
Tracking Progress and Completing Objectives
In-Game Countermeasure Objectives
When you’re assigned a task to kill a certain number of Hiss Guards using Spin, you can track your progress by opening the missions tab. If you don’t see your kills being counted, double-check that Spin is selected as your active weapon form when the enemy dies.
Repeating as Needed
You can always return to earlier missions or revisit high-traffic combat zones to grind more kills. If you’re close to finishing an objective and want to avoid harder enemies, just stick to the earlier parts of the game where Hiss Guards are plentiful and easy to eliminate.
Mastering the Spin weapon form in Control is not only useful for specific challenges like killing Hiss Guards, but also a valuable combat skill for managing tight, chaotic battles in the Oldest House. With its rapid-fire capabilities and upgrade potential, Spin becomes a powerful tool for eliminating weaker enemies quickly. By choosing the right locations, enhancing Spin with mods, and understanding enemy behavior, you can complete your objective efficiently and enjoy the high-octane thrill that comes with shredding through waves of enemies. Keep practicing, upgrade wisely, and embrace the power of Spin as you fight through the paranormal chaos of the Bureau.