Possession is more than just the first Vigor you acquire in BioShock Infinite—it’s the game’s introduction to how the powers you wield can change the way battles unfold. You’ll pick up this ability during the 1912 Columbia Raffle and Fair, near the end of the fairgrounds. It’s practically impossible to miss, as progression in the story requires you to collect it. But just because it’s a mandatory pick-up doesn’t mean it’s a throwaway power. In fact, Possession is one of the most valuable Vigors in the early game, and potentially across the entire playthrough depending on how you use and upgrade it.
What Possession Does – Turning Enemies Into Allies
The core mechanic of Possession is simple but incredibly impactful: it allows you to turn machines—and later, with an upgrade, humans—into temporary allies. The first time you use it, you’re guided through possessing a vending machine to open your path forward. It’s a clever way for the game to demonstrate how this Vigor functions without throwing you straight into combat.
What makes this power so memorable isn’t just its utility, but its unsettling flair. When you possess a human enemy, they not only fight for you briefly—they also commit suicide once the effect wears off. It’s disturbing, tragic, and brutally effective. That single mechanic turns the tide of battle in your favor instantly, creating confusion among enemies while giving you breathing room.
Strategic Usage in Combat – Your First Ally in the Chaos
In practical gameplay, Possession is an excellent opener during a fight. If you walk into a room full of enemies, casting Possession on a turret or one of the soldiers can draw fire away from you and allow you to reposition, scavenge for ammo, or simply take enemies down while they’re distracted.
It’s especially useful in tighter spaces or when cover is limited. Possessing a turret or enemy can buy you enough time to find a better angle or even turn the tables completely. Just remember—when the effect ends, machines revert to hostility, and human allies end their own lives. That makes Possession something of a tactical timer—you’re never completely safe, just briefly empowered.
Upgrades – What to Prioritize
The first upgrade for Possession is available shortly after things go south in Columbia. This crucial upgrade allows you to possess humans, expanding your combat options dramatically. Without this, Possession only works on machines, which limits its usefulness during early skirmishes. Human enemies are far more numerous in the first few hours, making this upgrade borderline essential.
The second upgrade reduces the amount of Salts needed to cast Possession. Initially, the Vigor costs a whopping 50% of your Salt meter, which is among the highest costs in the game. That makes it difficult to use more than once or twice in a drawn-out encounter. Reducing that cost gives you far more flexibility and makes this Vigor sustainable over longer periods, especially in higher difficulty settings.
Vigor Combos – Maximizing Damage with Possession
While Possession is strong on its own, the game’s Vigor system truly shines when you start experimenting with combos. Two standout combinations involving Possession are:
- Possession + Devil’s Kiss – Possess a human, then throw a Devil’s Kiss to ignite them. The result is chaos: a flaming enemy may charge toward others or detonate near a group, causing area-of-effect fire damage. It’s not just gruesome—it’s strategically potent.
- Possession + Shock Jockey – After possessing a human, hit them with Shock Jockey. Like the fire combo, this chains electricity to nearby enemies when your possessed ally gets close or dies. It’s a quick way to stun groups and keep the upper hand in battle.
These combos are more than flashy—they’re vital on harder modes, especially 1999 Mode, where enemies are relentless and every tool matters. While you might not need them on your first run through on medium, mastering these combos will dramatically change your experience.
Tips and Cautions – Don’t Get Caught Off Guard
A few things to keep in mind while using Possession:
- Machines don’t die when the effect wears off. Unlike human targets, turrets and other automatons simply go back to attacking you once the possession ends. Always be ready to disable or destroy them afterward.
- Positioning matters. Possessed enemies can be unpredictable. Use them to draw attention away from you, but don’t rely on them to win fights solo.
- Salts are precious. Until you get the upgrade that lowers the cost, Possession can burn through your resources fast. Use it wisely.
Final Thoughts – A Vigor That Stays Relevant
Possession starts as a tutorial Vigor, but it sticks with you as a core combat utility throughout the game. Whether you’re manipulating machines, sending enemies to their doom, or triggering deadly chain reactions with Vigor combos, there’s always a place for Possession in your strategy.
Invest in its upgrades, learn the combos, and use it smartly—it’s one of those powers that rewards creativity and timing. Especially in tougher game modes, Possession might just be the difference between a failed fight and a flawless victory.
Stay sharp, spend your Salts wisely, and remember: not all allies are friends forever in Columbia.
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