Fireball
Used by Ember
Fireball
Release a fiery projectile that ignites enemies on contact.
Introduced in Vanilla (2012-10-25)
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
- Release a fiery projectile that ignites enemies on contact.
Info
- Fireball is Ember’s ability 1.
- Release a fiery projectile that ignites enemies on contact.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Immolation, Fire Blast — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Fireball Frenzy
Fireball Augment: Hold to cast will grant all allies within 15m an additional 100% Heat Damage to their attacks for 40s.
EmberFireball Augment: Hold to cast will grant all allies within 15m an additional 100% Heat Damage to their attacks for 40s.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Fireball with: Fireball Augment: Hold to cast will grant all allies within 15m an additional 100% Heat Damage to their attacks for 40s.
- 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 Ember.
- Skip it if the base Fireball already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Fireball when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Fireball with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Fireball still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 1, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Ember.
Ability dossier · Fireball
Synergies
- FireballImmolation
Use Fireball to set up Immolation, or follow Immolation with Fireball while enemies are vulnerable.
- FireballFire Blast
Use Fireball to set up Fire Blast, or follow Fire Blast with Fireball while enemies are vulnerable.
- FireballInferno
Use Fireball to set up Inferno, or follow Inferno with Fireball while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Strength matters if Fireball scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Fireball unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Range is usually dumpable on Fireball unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.
Efficiency
- Fireball 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 Fireball still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Fireball to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Fireball only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Fireball 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 — Fireball is tuned for Ember’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Immolation
Fire Blast
Inferno