[quote=@ZAVAZggg]
Is it possible to somehow shortchange the Abyss? Like by weakening or removing powers before dying in order to keep the clone from using them while the original could potentially regain them over time?
[/quote]

I should have made this clear that you aren't stuck under powered. The Abyssal version of you starts at like 100 while the Redeemer version starts at like 50 or 70 or whatever. You start lower but can go up.

As for shortchanging the Abyss, no. It takes you at your height and uses that as its puppet.