Updated: April 21, 2026 
Starting Pragmata without knowing what to upgrade first is rough. You'll die more, struggle more, and wonder why the game feels so hard. However, if you pick the right upgrades early, everything clicks into place. In this guide, you’ll find the best upgrades to get first in Pragmata.
How Upgrades Work in Pragmata
You upgrade Hugh and Diana using two main resources: Upgrade Components and Lunafilament (plus the rarer Pure Lunum). You'll find these by exploring levels, opening chests, and finishing Training Simulations from Cabin. Never skip the simulations, because they're one of the best ways to stock up early.
Every upgrade you buy serves one of two goals: staying alive longer or killing things faster. The best early picks do both.
The Best Upgrades To Get First in Pragmata
Here are the best upgrades in Pragmata to help smooth your adventure:
1. Thrusters
This is the single most important upgrade in the game, because dodging is how you survive in Pragmata. Thrusters reduce how much your dodge gauge drains, so you can keep moving without running out of steam.
It also matters for exploration. Higher Thruster levels let you reach certain areas and upgrade sources that you simply can't get to otherwise.
2. Mod Slots
Mod Slots let you equip more Mods at the same time, and Mods give you real, noticeable perks, more health, better hacking, and more damage. Max it out, and you can run six Mods simultaneously. That's six buffs working for you at all times.
It sounds simple, but it's one of the biggest power jumps in the game. Get this early to help you complete Sector 1 and Sector 2 in the game.
3. Primary Unit (Grip Gun)
Early game, your guns carry you more than hacking does. The Grip Gun is your most reliable damage source in the first few hours because it doesn't need any setup to work. Hacking becomes dominant later on, but at the start, pumping upgrades into your Primary Unit makes fights much more manageable while you're still learning the systems.
4. Shockwave Gun
Once you have your basics covered, the Shockwave Gun becomes your best burst damage tool. It hits extremely hard at close range and absolutely melts bosses and tanky enemies. It's worth putting consistent upgrades into this weapon as you go because it stays relevant throughout the game.
5. Node Slots (Hacking Power)
This is the upgrade that turns hacking from useful to completely broken. More Node Slots means you can apply more effects at once, which can include: stuns, debuffs, damage boosts, and freezes.
Chain hacks together, and you start dealing huge damage while barely using ammo. Mid to late game, hacking becomes your main damage source, and Node Slots are what make that happen. Focus on Open Time upgrades here, too, because when you have more time on the hack screen, it means you will get easier kills.
6. Critical Shot
Whenever an enemy gets low on health, a purple node appears. Hack through it, and the robot gets stunned, giving you a free kill shot. It sounds small, but it saves you so much time and health in fights. Higher upgrade levels make the node appear even sooner, which is even better.
7. Hacking Gauge
When your Hacking Gauge fills up, you unlock Deletion Protocol, a special move that stuns and exposes all nearby enemies at once. This upgrade speeds up how fast the gauge builds, so you can use Deletion Protocol way more often. Pair it with the Deletion Protocol upgrade itself to make the stun last longer and hit harder.
6. Fast Moves
One perfect dodge slows down time around you, and it's actually very practical. You get breathing room to shoot or reposition without taking a hit. The dodge timing in Pragmata is generous, so even if you're not a pro at it, you'll trigger this pretty regularly.
7. Freeze Node Upgrade
The Freeze Node completely stops enemies in their tracks. In a game where you're constantly switching between hacking, shooting, and dodging, having something that pauses the chaos for a moment is incredibly useful. Upgrading it extends the freeze time, giving you even more room to breathe.
When to Upgrade?
Here's the recommended order based on where you are in the game:
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Early Game | Thrusters → Primary Unit (Grip Gun) → Shockwave Gun |
| Mid Game | Node Slots → Mod Slots → Critical Shot |
| Late Game | Hacking Gauge → Deletion Protocol → Build-specific Mods |
The Best Build in Pragmata
Once you have enough Mod Slots, this is the perk combo that makes damage feel strong:
| Perk | Effect | Why It's Good |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle Eye | +15% damage while airborne | Easy to activate mid-fight |
| Close Quarters | +10% damage near enemies | Perfect for the Shockwave Gun |
| Untapped Potential | +10% damage after hacking | Always active if you hack regularly |
| Precision Shot | +10% damage during slowdown | Syncs with perfect dodge |
| Last Resort | Huge damage on the last bullet | Insane with shotguns and Charge Piercer |
The reason this build is so strong is that all five buffs can be active at the same time. When you pull off a perfect dodge, jump, hack, then fire at close range, you're triggering every single one of those bonuses in one combo.
Best Utility Upgrades in Pragmata
- Bot Scan — reveals an enemy's weak spot. You only need to check each robot type once, but that first time matters. Always scan new enemies.
- Object Scan — shows nearby items and collectibles. One level, huge payoff for completionists who want all the trophies in the game.
- Stasis Net / Decoy — Both of these work even on bosses. Stasis Net freezes targets in place, and Decoy pulls enemy attention away from you. Keep at least one of these upgraded.
Stick to these best upgrades in Pragmata, and you'll go from barely surviving to completely dominating fights as you go deeper into the Sectors. Start with Thrusters and Primary Unit, build into hacking mid-game, and once your Mod Slots are maxed out, run that five-perk damage combo and watch enemies disappear! For more guides, check out our Pragmata Wiki.
