Disclosed are adaptive communication assisted protection and control. Local intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) associated with local switching devices and having unique IDs may transmit switch status and unique IDs to an area IED. The area IED may calculate topology using switch status, and provide control information to local IEDs using the topology. The area IED may communicate the unique ID of the local IED calculated to be immediately upstream of each local IED and, upon detection of a fault, the local IEDs may send blocking signals that include the received unique ID of the IED immediately upstream therefrom. The area IED may communicate control commands that include the unique IDs and control commands for the local IEDs to take the control action. Upon matching of the unique ID in the control command with its own unique ID, the local IEDs may take the control action and transmit remaining actions.