Builds & Loadouts
The Allocation Matrix system in MIO: Memories in Orbit requires strategic decision-making when selecting modifiers. Each modifier consumes memory slots, forcing you to balance combat effectiveness, survivability, and utility. This guide provides recommended builds for different playstyles and situations.
Remember: You can swap modifiers at any Network Gate. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your playstyle. Mod Extensions increase your total capacity (7 extensions × 10 slots each = 70 additional slots).
Understanding the Allocation Matrix
How It Works
- • Each modifier consumes a specific number of memory slots
- • Your total capacity is limited and can be expanded with Mod Extensions
- • You must choose between combat modifiers, defensive modifiers, mobility modifiers, and utility modifiers
- • UI elements (like the minimap) also consume slots, creating strategic trade-offs
- • Modifiers can be equipped or unequipped at Network Gates
Strategic Tip: You may need to disable UI elements to free up memory slots for combat abilities. This creates meaningful decision-making throughout the game.
Early Game Build (Survivability Focus)
During the early game, prioritize modifiers that increase survivability and quality-of-life effects. You'll have limited slots, so focus on essentials that help you learn the game mechanics.
Recommended Modifiers
- • Protective Overlay (20 slots): Adds +1 health layer - essential for surviving early encounters
- • Enemy Health Display: Shows enemy health bars - helps you learn attack patterns and enemy durability
- • Regeneration Modifiers: Any modifiers that provide health regeneration or defensive bonuses
- • Basic Mobility: Focus on core movement abilities before adding combat modifiers
Early Game Strategy: Don't worry about maximizing damage output yet. Focus on staying alive, learning enemy patterns, and exploring The Vessel safely.
Combat Build (High Damage Output)
This build maximizes damage output for faster boss kills and efficient enemy clearing. Best used when you're comfortable with combat mechanics and dodge timing.
Core Modifiers
- • Sharpened Hairpin (15 slots): Increases attack damage - essential for DPS builds
- • Kinetic Thrust (10 slots): Dash attack bonus damage - pairs excellently with Sharpened Hairpin
- • Protective Overlay (20 slots): Still recommended for survivability - don't sacrifice all defense
- • High-Voltage Discharge (20 slots): Chain lightning effect - great for clearing groups of enemies
Combat Build Strategy
This build focuses on maximizing damage per second (DPS) while maintaining enough survivability to avoid one-hit kills. Pair Sharpened Hairpin with Kinetic Thrust for maximum effectiveness.
Best For: Boss fights, challenging combat encounters, players comfortable with dodge timing.
Evasion Build (Defensive Counterattacks)
This build emphasizes defensive play with counterattack capabilities. Perfect for players who prefer dodging and waiting for openings.
Core Modifiers
- • Enhanced Dodge: Improves dodge mechanics and invincibility frames
- • Splintering Dodge (18 slots): Dodge creates damaging shards - defensive counterattack capability
- • Protective Overlay (20 slots): Extra health layer for safety
- • Defense Mechanism (14 slots): Reduces projectile damage
Evasion Build Strategy
Combine Enhanced Dodge with Splintering Dodge to create a defensive build that punishes enemies when you dodge through their attacks. This build rewards precise timing and patience.
Best For: Players who prefer defensive playstyles, difficult boss encounters, learning attack patterns.
Exploration Build (Mobility & Utility)
This build prioritizes movement abilities and utility modifiers to make exploration and backtracking more efficient. Ideal for 100% completion runs.
Core Modifiers
- • Afterimage (8 slots): Leave trail when using Hairpin - helps with navigation
- • Mobility Enhancements: Any modifiers that improve movement speed, jump height, or traversal
- • Portable Map: Unlock early by finding Shii in Severed Spine and donating 2,500 Nacre total
- • Energy Regeneration: Modifiers that improve energy management for gliding and grappling
Exploration Build Strategy
Focus on modifiers that make backtracking easier and help you reach previously inaccessible areas. This build sacrifices some combat effectiveness for exploration efficiency.
Best For: Collectible hunting, 100% completion, exploring hidden areas, backtracking with new abilities.
Boss Rush Build (Maximum Effectiveness)
This build is optimized specifically for boss encounters, combining high damage output with essential survivability. Protective Overlay is mandatory for difficult bosses.
Core Modifiers
- • Protective Overlay (20 slots): Mandatory - provides essential extra health layer
- • Sharpened Hairpin (15 slots): Maximum damage output
- • Kinetic Thrust (10 slots): Dash attack bonus for combo damage
- • Enemy Health Display: See boss health to track progress and plan attacks
- • Enhanced Dodge: Improved invincibility frames for dodging boss attacks
⚠️ Important: Protective Overlay is essential for difficult bosses. Don't attempt challenging boss encounters without this modifier equipped.
Energy Build (Aerial Combat Focus)
This build focuses on energy management and aerial combat capabilities, perfect for players who enjoy staying airborne and chaining attacks.
Core Modifiers
- • Energy Regeneration Modifiers: Improve energy recovery rate
- • High-Voltage Discharge (20 slots): Chain lightning effect works well with energy-focused builds
- • Aerial Combat Enhancements: Modifiers that improve jump resets and aerial attacks
- • Gliding Improvements: Extend gliding duration and effectiveness
Energy Build Strategy
Stack energy-focused modifiers to maximize your time in the air. Remember that hitting enemies resets your double jump, allowing you to stay airborne indefinitely in platforming sections and combat encounters.
Best For: Aerial combat enthusiasts, platforming challenges, players who master jump reset mechanics.
Balanced Build (All-Rounder)
A well-rounded build that balances combat, defense, and utility. Perfect for general gameplay when you're not sure what to expect.
Core Modifiers
- • Protective Overlay (20 slots): Essential survivability
- • Sharpened Hairpin (15 slots): Moderate damage boost
- • Enemy Health Display: Quality-of-life utility
- • Basic Mobility Modifiers: Core movement improvements
- • Regeneration: Passive health recovery if slots allow
Balanced Build Strategy
This build provides a solid foundation for all types of encounters. Adjust individual modifiers based on the challenges you're facing.
Best For: First playthrough, general exploration, players who want flexibility.
Expanding Your Capacity
Mod Extensions are crucial for unlocking more build possibilities. There are 7 Mod Extensions in the game, each adding 10 slots to your Allocation Matrix capacity.
How to Get Mod Extensions
- • Extension 1: Look for a pipe high above you and climb inside. The item waits in the room at the top.
- • Extension 2: Find a large mushroom and look for a hidden path on top. Follow the path and complete the platforming section.
- • Extensions 3 & 4: Available from Mel's shop as soon as it opens.
- • Extension 5: Available from Mel's shop after rescuing Sin.
- • Extensions 6 & 7: Available from Mel's shop after rescuing Tan.
💡 Tip: All Mod Extensions can be obtained at any time, even after completing the story. None are missable, and you can get them in any order once they become available.
Build Optimization Tips
General Tips
- • Swap Builds Frequently: Change your build at Network Gates based on upcoming challenges
- • Don't Overcommit: Leave some slots free for flexibility or UI elements
- • Prioritize Survivability Early: Focus on staying alive before maximizing damage
- • Experiment: Try different modifier combinations to find what works for your playstyle
- • Read Modifier Descriptions: Understand what each modifier does before equipping it
Remember: Many modifiers are difficult to find and require significant slot investment. Plan your build carefully and don't hesitate to swap modifiers when facing different challenges.
Related Guides
Learn more about modifiers and how to optimize your build: