Freeze
Used by Frost
Freeze
A frigid energy blast that freezes targets in their tracks.
Introduced in Update 6.0 (2013-01-29)
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
- A frigid energy blast that freezes targets in their tracks.
Info
- Freeze is Frost’s ability 1.
- A frigid energy blast that freezes targets in their tracks.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Ice Wave, Snow Globe — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Biting Frost
Frost gains +200% Critical Chance and +100% Critical Damage against frozen enemies.
FrostFrost gains +200% Critical Chance and +100% Critical Damage against frozen enemies.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Freeze with: Frost gains +200% Critical Chance and +100% Critical Damage against frozen enemies.
- 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 Frost.
- Skip it if the base Freeze already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Freeze when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Freeze with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Freeze still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 1, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Frost.
Ability dossier · Freeze
Synergies
- FreezeIce Wave
Use Freeze to set up Ice Wave, or follow Ice Wave with Freeze while enemies are vulnerable.
- FreezeSnow Globe
Use Freeze to set up Snow Globe, or follow Snow Globe with Freeze while enemies are vulnerable.
- FreezeAvalanche
Use Freeze to set up Avalanche, or follow Avalanche with Freeze while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Strength matters if Freeze scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Freeze unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Range is usually dumpable on Freeze unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.
Efficiency
- Freeze 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 Freeze still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Freeze to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Freeze only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Freeze 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 — Freeze is tuned for Frost’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Ice Wave
Snow Globe
Avalanche