Theorylytics

Slash Dash

Used by Excalibur Umbra

Ability1
Energy25

Slash Dash

Slash and dash through enemies alongside a radial specter. The powerful Exalted Blade’s slashes inflict Slash Status.

Introduced in Update 23.0 (2018-06-15)

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
  • Slash and dash through enemies alongside a radial specter.

Info

  • Slash Dash is Excalibur Umbra’s ability 1.
  • Slash and dash through enemies alongside a radial specter.
  • Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Radial Howl, Radial Javelin — 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

Warrior's Rest

Passive Augment: Umbra's Ability Strength increases by +15% but he no longer fights independently alongside his Operator.

Excalibur Umbra
Open augment →
Warrior's Rest

Passive Augment: Umbra's Ability Strength increases by +15% but he no longer fights independently alongside his Operator.

Max rank drain ~7; see rank table on the augment page.

Open full augment page →

Cast Changes

  1. Modifies Slash Dash with: Passive Augment: Umbra's Ability Strength increases by +15% but he no longer fights independently alongside his Operator.
  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 Excalibur Umbra.
  2. Skip it if the base Slash Dash already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.

Tips & Tricks

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

Ability dossier · Slash Dash

Verified 2026-07-22

Synergies

  • Slash DashRadial Howl

    Use Slash Dash to set up Radial Howl, or follow Radial Howl with Slash Dash while enemies are vulnerable.

  • Slash DashRadial Javelin

    Use Slash Dash to set up Radial Javelin, or follow Radial Javelin with Slash Dash while enemies are vulnerable.

  • Slash DashExalted Blade

    Use Slash Dash to set up Exalted Blade, or follow Exalted Blade with Slash Dash while enemies are vulnerable.

Mod Scaling

Strength

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

Duration

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

Range

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

Efficiency

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

Other Excalibur Umbra abilities