Catalyze
Used by Lavos
Catalyze
Catalyst Probes erupt from Lavos and douse combatants in a fiery gel. Damage is doubled for each element afflicting an enemy. Hold to imbue the next ability cast with Heat.
Introduced in Update 29.6 (2020-12-18)
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
- Catalyst Probes erupt from Lavos and douse combatants in a fiery gel.
Info
- Catalyze is Lavos’s ability 4.
- Catalyst Probes erupt from Lavos and douse combatants in a fiery gel.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Ophidian Bite, Vial Rush — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Catalyze when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Catalyze with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Catalyze still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 4, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Lavos.
Ability dossier · Catalyze
Synergies
- CatalyzeOphidian Bite
Use Catalyze to set up Ophidian Bite, or follow Ophidian Bite with Catalyze while enemies are vulnerable.
- CatalyzeVial Rush
Use Catalyze to set up Vial Rush, or follow Vial Rush with Catalyze while enemies are vulnerable.
- CatalyzeTransmutation Probe
Use Catalyze to set up Transmutation Probe, or follow Transmutation Probe with Catalyze while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Improves Catalyze’s damage or effect potency where Strength is listed on the ability.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Catalyze unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Range is usually dumpable on Catalyze unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.
Efficiency
- Catalyze 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 Catalyze still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Catalyze to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Catalyze only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Catalyze 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 — Catalyze is tuned for Lavos’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Ophidian Bite
Vial Rush
Transmutation Probe