Airburst
Used by Zephyr
Airburst
Launch a burst of massively dense air. Hold to send enemies flying, tap to pull them toward the burst. Damage increases per enemy hit.
Introduced in Update 12.0 (2014-02-05)
Ability stats
- See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
- See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
- See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
- Launch a burst of massively dense air.
Info
- Airburst is Zephyr’s ability 2.
- Launch a burst of massively dense air.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Tail Wind, Turbulence — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Airburst Rounds
Airburst Augment: Each enemy hit by Airburst increases secondary damage by 40% for 14s.
ZephyrAirburst Augment: Each enemy hit by Airburst increases secondary damage by 40% for 14s.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Airburst with: Airburst Augment: Each enemy hit by Airburst increases secondary damage by 40% for 14s.
- Rank up the augment to unlock the full effect values.
- Costs a mod slot (and capacity) — only equip it when the change matters for your loop.
Worth the Slot?
- Worth it when the augment’s change is central to how you play Zephyr.
- Skip it if the base Airburst already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Airburst when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Airburst with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Airburst still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 2, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Zephyr.
Ability dossier · Airburst
Synergies
- AirburstTail Wind
Use Airburst to set up Tail Wind, or follow Tail Wind with Airburst while enemies are vulnerable.
- AirburstTurbulence
Use Airburst to set up Turbulence, or follow Turbulence with Airburst while enemies are vulnerable.
- AirburstTornado
Use Airburst to set up Tornado, or follow Tornado with Airburst while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Improves Airburst’s damage or effect potency where Strength is listed on the ability.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Airburst unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Range is usually dumpable on Airburst unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.
Efficiency
- Airburst costs energy each cast — Efficiency (or strong regen) keeps the loop comfortable on long missions.
Priority
Stack the stats that actually move this ability’s needle, then Efficiency for uptime.
Mission Use Cases
| Mission | How to Use It |
|---|---|
| Steel Path Survival / Defense / Disruption | Test whether Airburst still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Airburst to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Airburst only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Airburst is loud or forces combat, save it for after the vault; if it’s stealth-friendly, use it to stay safe. |
Comparisons
- VS
Vs similar tools on other frames — Airburst is tuned for Zephyr’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Tail Wind
Turbulence
Tornado