Quantic Dream's branching drama puts you in control of three androids, Kara, Connor and Markus, in a Detroit set in 2038. There is no combat build and no gear here: scenes are decided by timed dialogue, quick-time inputs and a flowchart that records every branch you did not open. The PlayStation 4 version arrived on 25 May 2018 and the Steam release followed on 18 June 2020.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scene reconstruction | S | Every Connor investigation chapter | Connor tags clues at a crime scene, then scrubs a blue hologram back and forth to replay events. |
| Preconstruction preview | A | Chases, jumps and combat quick-time chains | The blue path overlay that shows an action before Connor or Markus commits to it. |
| Stress percentage management | A | Hostage negotiations and high tension standoffs | Some scenes show a live stress number, and the wrong line pushes it up several points at once. |
| Timed dialogue ring | B | Scenes where every spoken option is worse than saying nothing | Options sit on a countdown ring, and letting it expire counts as a recorded choice rather than a failure. |
| Relationship and public opinion meters | B | Unlocking late chapter branches and survival checks | Connor tracks a relationship with Hank, Kara with Alice and Luther, and Markus moves a citywide public opinion bar. |
S-Tier: Scene reconstruction
Connor tags clues at a crime scene, then scrubs a blue hologram back and forth to replay events. Missing a clue closes dialogue options later in the same chapter without ever telling you.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Every Connor investigation chapter |
| Key Mechanic | Per chapter flowchart with locked branches |
| Recommended Build | Connor |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Scene reconstruction: Pairs naturally with Connor thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Preconstruction preview
The blue path overlay that shows an action before Connor or Markus commits to it. Reading it properly is the difference between a clean takedown and a failed chase.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Chases, jumps and combat quick-time chains |
| Key Mechanic | Timed dialogue and quick-time inputs |
| Recommended Build | Kara |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Preconstruction preview: Pairs naturally with Kara thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Stress percentage management
Some scenes show a live stress number, and the wrong line pushes it up several points at once. Daniel on the rooftop in The Hostage is the clearest teaching example.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Hostage negotiations and high tension standoffs |
| Key Mechanic | Connor's reconstruction and preconstruction |
| Recommended Build | Markus |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Stress percentage management: Pairs naturally with Markus thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Timed dialogue ring
Options sit on a countdown ring, and letting it expire counts as a recorded choice rather than a failure. Silence is sometimes the branch you actually want.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Scenes where every spoken option is worse than saying nothing |
| Key Mechanic | Stress percentages in tense scenes |
| Recommended Build | Machine and mission first play |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Timed dialogue ring: Pairs naturally with Machine and mission first play thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Relationship and public opinion meters
Connor tracks a relationship with Hank, Kara with Alice and Luther, and Markus moves a citywide public opinion bar. These meters gate whole scenes in the final third.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Unlocking late chapter branches and survival checks |
| Key Mechanic | Chapter select creates a new timeline |
| Recommended Build | Deviant and empathy first play |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Relationship and public opinion meters: Pairs naturally with Deviant and empathy first play thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Jericho
- Preconstruction preview → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Stress percentage management → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Scene reconstruction → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying. One strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- Finish one full playthrough without a guide before touching chapter select. The flowchart is far more interesting when you can see which branches you personally closed.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Detroit: Become Human Guides
- Detroit: Become Human Detroit: Become Human Overview
- Detroit: Become Human Best Builds
- Detroit: Become Human Tier List
- Detroit: Become Human Walkthrough
- Detroit: Become Human Beginner's Guide
- Detroit: Become Human Tips & Tricks
- Detroit: Become Human Combat Guide
- Detroit: Become Human Boss Guide
- Detroit: Become Human Maps & Locations
- Detroit: Become Human Crafting Guide
- Detroit: Become Human Classes & Characters
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