Once Human Combat Deviations Guide

Combat Deviations are the pet-as-weapon layer that the December 2025 (Version 2.2.4) patch overhauled. After that update, Combat Deviations synchronize with your Meta to grant two active abilities: a Battle Skill and an Ultimate. This page explains the system, lists notable ability examples, and covers scenario rules that can limit or disable these abilities mid-loadout. Pair it with the Deviants guide for capture mechanics and the Deviant tier list for which pets earn a securement slot.

The December 2023 guide noted that Combat/Control Deviations are aggressive but will follow instructions once secured. The 2026 version of that promise is the Battle Skill / Ultimate split — your pet is not just a heal bot; it is a second ability bar.

How synchronization works

Synchronization is the process of linking a Combat Deviation to your Meta. After the Version 2.2.4 update, synchronization unlocks:

• Battle Skill — a short-cooldown active ability triggered in combat (examples: Zapamander sprint, By-the-Wind wall).
• Ultimate — a longer-cooldown high-impact ability (examples: Mitsuko tracking, Mini Wonder black hole, Pyro burst).

The specific abilities depend on which Combat Deviation you synchronize with. Not all Deviations have both types; some grant only a Battle Skill or only an Ultimate until further progression.

Synchronization consumes a Securement slot. Combat pets travel with you; territory pets stay home and print resources. If you are allocating Securement slots, a Combat Deviation with both ability types earns priority over a pet that only heals.

Combat Deviations major upgrade guide — Battle Skills and Ultimates

Battle Skills

Battle Skills are fast-cycling abilities tied to specific Combat Deviations. After the December 2023 patch notes, the roster of known Battle Skills includes:

• Zapamander sprint — mobility boost for repositioning in combat.
• By-the-Wind wall — a defensive barrier or CC ability.
• Other combat-role specific skills mapped to individual Deviation types.

Battle Skills are subject to scenario rules. In Deviation: SCP, where pets are your primary damage source, Battle Skills may have reduced cooldowns or enhanced effects. In regular Manibus, they function as supplemental abilities that do not replace your weapon’s damage output.

Ultimate abilities

Ultimates are the heavy-hitting abilities with longer cooldowns. The notable examples from Version 2.2.4 and subsequent 2026 updates:

• Mitsuko tracking — locates and marks targets for the team.
• Mini Wonder black hole — high-damage zone denial.
• Pyro burst — area damage with burn application.

These abilities matter most in Prime War and high-difficulty silos where a well-timed Ultimate can shorten a boss window or prevent a wipe.

Scenario limitations

Not every scenario treats Combat Deviation abilities equally:

• Deviation: SCP — Pets are primary damage. Abilities here may have enhanced effects or shorter cooldowns to compensate for reduced weapon output.
• Manibus and general PvE — Combat Deviation abilities function as supplemental tools. Weapon damage is still primary.
• PvP scenarios (Evolution’s Call, Prismverse’s Clash) — Some abilities are disabled or have increased cooldowns to prevent PvP domination by Deviation-locked players.
• RaidZone — Mental Pollution mechanics interact with Deviation ability usage. High-intensity ability chains can accelerate Mentality drain.

Check the current scenario rules before you build a loadout around a specific ability. A Meta who spec’d into Mitsuko tracking in Manibus and then queued Prismverse will have a different experience.

Which Combat Deviations to synchronize

Priority for Securement slots after the 2026 overhaul:

1. Deviations with both Battle Skill and Ultimate — maximum ability coverage.
2. Deviations with a relevant Ultimate for your content — Mitsuko tracking for group PvE, Mini Wonder for burst windows.
3. Deviations with utility Battle Skills — mobility and defensive abilities for learning players.

Festering Gel remains the survival pick for solo and group PvE. Its heal is a Battle Skill equivalent in practical terms, which is why it stays S-tier on the Deviant tier list even after the ability split.

Deviation Fusion and Combat pets

The Deviation Fusion system arriving 24 September 2026 lets you remix surplus Combat Deviants to hunt for better ability rolls. If you have duplicate Mitsuko or Mini Wonder copies, fusion is the path to stronger variants without re-capturing.

Do not fusion your only copy of a Deviation that has both ability types. Fusion is for surplus; secure your S-tier pets first.

How this page changes

Combat Deviation abilities are updated with each major patch. Version 2.2.4 introduced the Battle Skill / Ultimate split. Subsequent updates added new abilities and adjusted scenario rules. Check patch notes for ability changes and new Deviation synchronization options.