Embodiments of the invention are directed to a vertical resistive device. A non-limiting example of the vertical resistive device includes a conductive horizontal electrode, an opening extending through the horizontal electrode, a filament region positioned within the opening and communicatively coupled to a sidewall of the horizontal electrode, and a conductive vertical electrode positioned within the opening and communicatively coupled to the filament region. The vertical electrode includes a first conductive alloy material. Oxygen vacancy formation in the filament region is controlled by the first conductive alloy material of the vertical electrode. A room temperature resistivity of the first conductive alloy material is below about 5×10−8 ohm meters and controlled by at least one of the metals that form the first conductive alloy material.