Theorylytics

Balefire

Used by Hildryn

Ability1
Energy25

Balefire

Charge and launch devastating bolts of electricity.

Introduced in Update 24.4 (2019-03-08)

Ability stats

Strength
  • See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
Duration
  • See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
Range
  • See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
Misc
  • Charge and launch devastating bolts of electricity.

Info

  • Balefire is Hildryn’s ability 1.
  • Charge and launch devastating bolts of electricity.
  • Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Pillage, Haven — instead of casting it in isolation.
  • Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.

Augment

9

Balefire Surge

Balefire Augment: Fully charged direct hits restore 250 Shield to Hildryn. Impact with Nullifier Shields will destroy them and restore 75…

Hildryn
Open augment →
Balefire Surge

Balefire Augment: Fully charged direct hits restore 250 Shield to Hildryn. Impact with Nullifier Shields will destroy them and restore 750 Shield.

Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.

Open full augment page →

Cast Changes

  1. Modifies Balefire with: Balefire Augment: Fully charged direct hits restore 250 Shield to Hildryn.
  2. Rank up the augment to unlock the full effect values.
  3. Costs a mod slot (and capacity) — only equip it when the change matters for your loop.

Worth the Slot?

  1. Worth it when the augment’s change is central to how you play Hildryn.
  2. Skip it if the base Balefire already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.

Tips & Tricks

  • Read the battlefield first — cast Balefire when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
  • Pair Balefire with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
  • On Steel Path, confirm whether Balefire still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
  • If you never press 1, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Hildryn.

Ability dossier · Balefire

Verified 2026-07-22

Synergies

  • BalefirePillage

    Use Balefire to set up Pillage, or follow Pillage with Balefire while enemies are vulnerable.

  • BalefireHaven

    Use Balefire to set up Haven, or follow Haven with Balefire while enemies are vulnerable.

  • BalefireAegis Storm

    Use Balefire to set up Aegis Storm, or follow Aegis Storm with Balefire while enemies are vulnerable.

Mod Scaling

Strength

Strength matters if Balefire scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.

Duration

Duration is low priority on Balefire unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.

Range

Range is usually dumpable on Balefire unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.

Efficiency

Balefire 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

MissionHow to Use It
Steel Path Survival / Defense / DisruptionTest whether Balefire still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled.
Mobile Defense / ExcavationUse Balefire to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition.
Exterminate / Capture Speed RunsCast Balefire only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles.
Spy / Rescue / Quiet RoutesIf Balefire 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 — Balefire is tuned for Hildryn’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.

Other Hildryn abilities