Imagine standing face‑to‑face with a punishing boss in the depths of The Vessel. Your health is low, modifiers are slotted, and the fight comes down to a single decision: how you built your Loadout. In MIO: Memories in Orbit, your build isn’t just a collection of buffs — it’s the core strategic system that defines how you play. With dozens of modifiers scattered across the ship, each offering unique effects and trade‑offs, the game’s Allocation Matrix forces you into meaningful decisions: survivability vs power, utility vs offense.
This guide breaks down all modifiers, explains how to unlock and equip them, and offers optimized builds for different playstyles — from meticulous explorers to aggressive damage dealers and high‑risk boss slayers.
📌 What Are Modifiers & the Allocation Matrix?
Modifiers are passive upgrades that change stats, grant effects like health regeneration, show enemy health bars, or boost damage under specific conditions. Each modifier has a slot cost and must fit within your current Allocation Matrix — the limited memory space available for equipping them.
💡 Key Concepts
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Slots Matter: Each modifier costs a certain number of slots; you must juggle space to build the loadout you want.
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Expand Capacity: You can increase total modifier slots by acquiring Mod Extensions (7 in the game, each adding 10 slots).
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Trade‑offs Are Real: Some powerful mods offer extra slots but with penalties — such as disabling healing or reducing enemy drops.
Modifiers are found throughout the Vessel, often in hard‑to‑reach spots or rewarded after exploration challenges — none are permanently missable, and all 42 can be obtained even after finishing the game for the Fully Modded trophy.
🛠️ Full Modifier List & Effects
Below is a comprehensive list of all 42 Modifiers you can find in MIO: Memories in Orbit, including their effects and general locations based on verified community guides:
| Modifier | Effect | Typical Location / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Afterimage | Creates a decoy when using Hairpin, explodes after delay. | Metropolis (near Torn Overseer) |
| Alexander’s Fate | You no longer lose Nacre on death. | Near Canopy Overseer |
| Analyser | Shows enemy health bars. | Reward from NPC Rad |
| Counter Measures | Dodging applies “targeted” to enemies. | Labs near Blood’s Sanctum |
| Defective Core | +Slots but disables protective core. | After all 12 Candles delivered |
| Defense Mechanism | Explodes when taking damage. | Feral Undergrowth |
| Defragmentation | Get energy shards when hit. | Mel’s Defective Mods (Old Cores + Nacre) |
| Effective Dismantlement | Enemies drop more Nacre. | Purchase from Mel |
| Energy Leecher | Restores energy when attacking. | Haven (below Bell Tower) |
| Enhanced Dodge | Larger perfect‑dodge timing window. | Poltergates area |
| Extra‑Coating Processor | Gain extra protection per 3 enemies defeated. | Vault area |
| Firefly | Sail creates static storm damage. | Haven chamber corner |
| Foolish Ideal | More damage when energy not full. | Metropolis Tremor House |
| Glitch Trail | Hairpin leaves damaging trail. | Near Haven |
| Gratitude | Passive protection heal when grounded. | Purchase after story event |
| High‑Risk Voucher | Buy extra protection at Nacre Basins. | Labs |
| Imperfect Focus | +Slots but harder dodge timing. | Ice blast area |
| Kinetic Thrust | Last combo hits do more damage. | Foundations glass chamber |
| Maintenance Hack | Healing at Basins is free. | Mel’s Scuffed Selection |
| Makeshift Recovery | Kill an enemy that hit you restores protection. | Near Bell Tower |
| Nacre Drought | +Slots but Nacre Basins dry up. | Bell Tower Station |
| Pain Conversion | Energy recharges when damaged. | Mel’s Defective Mods |
| Perfect State | Damage boost with full protection. | Xelato vendor in Haven |
| Portable Crystalliser | Converts drops to crystallised Nacre. | Mel’s Defective Mods |
| Protective Overlay | Grants extra protection layer. | West of The Spine |
| Reduced Latency | Faster recovery after being hit. | Mel’s Worn Out Gears & Parts |
| Resource Shortage | +Slots but fewer Nacre from enemies. | Haven gorge area |
| Sharpened Hairpin | Hairpin slices enemies. | Metropolis Hall of History |
| Splintering Dodge | Dodge creates an energy shard. | Labs saw section |
| Split Process | +Slots but slower energy recharge. | Labs |
| Sunsail | Increases glide speed, more energy use. | Observatory tunnels |
| The Hand’s Greed | Damage increases based on lost protection. | Haven container |
| The Heart’s Favourite | Faster energy on ground. | Mel’s Defective Mods |
| Thinner Frame | +Slots but -1 protection. | Mel’s Worn Out Gears & Parts |
| Wild Cat | Heavy strike after Hairpin use. | Pendulum’s Panorama |
This table covers most known locations from verified guides and will grow as locations become more precisely mapped by players.
🧩 How to Equip & Manage Modifiers
To equip modifiers, visit a Modifier Centre at any Network Gate Overseer and select which ones to use. Your current slot count is shown in the Allocation Matrix — dark slots are available, gold means used, and grey slots are locked.
🔄 Increasing Modifier Slots
Modifier slots start small but can be expanded using Mod Extensions — each adds +10 slots. There are 7 total Mod Extensions, all findable even after the main story. Some are hidden in platforming areas, others are purchasable after rescuing NPCs.
| Mod Extension # | How to Get |
|---|---|
| #1 | Hidden above piping platform |
| #2 | Through a secret platforming route |
| #3–#7 | Purchasable from Mel after rescue quests |
Maximising your slot capacity lets you tailor builds more precisely without crippling trade‑offs.
⚙️ Best Modifier Builds for Every Playstyle
🧭 Build 1: The Untouchable Explorer
This build prioritises survival, economy, and ease of exploration.
| Modifier | Key Effect | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Hack | Free healing at Nacre Basins | Saves Nacre and keeps you exploring longer. |
| Alexander’s Fate | No Nacre lost on death | Removes penalty anxiety. |
| Gratitude | Passive protection heal | Natural sustain. |
| Portable Crystaliser | Converts Nacre to crystals | Better economy for upgrades. |
| Analyser | Shows enemy health bars | Helps plan engagements. |
✔ Playstyle Tip: Ideal early on when learning enemy placements or collecting modifiers.
💥 Build 2: The Aggressive Brawler
Designed for fast clear times and aggressive combat flow.
| Modifier | Key Effect | Strategic Use |
|---|---|---|
| Kinetic Thrust | More damage on combo finish | High burst potential. |
| The Hand’s Greed | Bonus damage when protection is low | Encourages offensive play. |
| Wild Cat | Heavy strike post‑Hairpin | Mobility converts to offense. |
| Energy Leecher | Recover energy from hits | More ability uptime. |
| Makeshift Recovery | Regain protection after enemy hits | Sustain while aggressive. |
✔ Playstyle Tip: Keep the offense rolling — this build thrives in open areas and standard encounters.
🧠 Build 3: The Boss Slayer (High‑Risk, High‑Reward)
A glass‑cannon build focused on endgame boss fights.
| Modifier | Key Effect | Strategic Sacrifice |
|---|---|---|
| Nacre Overload | Damage scales with Nacre | Massive damage but high risk. |
| Perfect State | Big damage boost with full protection | Needs precise play. |
| Defective Core | More slots at cost of protection | Max space but no safety buffer. |
| Foolish Ideal | Damage when energy is not full | Encourages ability cycling. |
| Enhanced Dodge | Wider perfect dodge timing | Your one survival concession. |
✔ Playstyle Tip: Best used once patterns are memorized — explore safe builds first. Effective against bosses like Ati if combined with defensive mods.
🔥 Advanced Synergies & Pro Tips
🪙 Economy Synergy
Combine Effective Dismantlement and Portable Crystaliser to fuel high‑cost builds, especially boss‑focused ones.
🛡️ Defensive Offense
Use Defense Mechanism with Pain Conversion to turn hits into energy and retaliatory bursts of damage.
🧠 Slot Management
Sometimes buying Mod Extensions or sacrificing UI mods (like Self‑Awareness which shows health/energy) gives more space for impactful modifiers.
❓ FAQs (Featured Snippet Targets)
Q: How many modifiers are in MIO?
A: There are 42 Modifiers total — all obtainable and tied to exploration or shops.
Q: How do I expand modifier slots?
A: Find 7 Mod Extensions scattered through the Vessel (platforming sections and shop purchases).
Q: Are all modifiers required for trophies?
A: Yes — finding all modifiers earns the Fully Modded trophy.
🎯 Conclusion — Craft Your Legacy
The Allocation Matrix system in MIO: Memories in Orbit pushes you to make meaningful trade‑offs and tailor your experience. Whether exploring every nook, blitzing through enemies, or slicing through bosses with pinpoint builds, choice and strategy define your success.
What’s your favorite modifier combo? Have you conquered a tough boss with a crazy loadout? Share your discoveries and help other explorers refine their builds!!
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