Ice Wave
Used by Frost
Ice Wave
Sends a wave of razor sharp, crystalized ice toward an enemy, dealing heavy damage.
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
- Sends a wave of razor sharp, crystalized ice toward an enemy, dealing heavy damage.
Info
- Ice Wave is Frost’s ability 2.
- Sends a wave of razor sharp, crystalized ice toward an enemy, dealing heavy damage.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Freeze, 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
Ice Wave Impedance
Ice Wave Augment: Create a frozen trail for 12 seconds. Enemies that touch it are inflicted with Cold Status every second.
FrostIce Wave Augment: Create a frozen trail for 12 seconds. Enemies that touch it are inflicted with Cold Status every second.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Ice Wave with: Ice Wave Augment: Create a frozen trail for 12 seconds.
- 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 Ice Wave already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Ice Wave when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Ice Wave with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Ice Wave still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 2, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Frost.
Ability dossier · Ice Wave
Synergies
- Ice WaveFreeze
Use Ice Wave to set up Freeze, or follow Freeze with Ice Wave while enemies are vulnerable.
- Ice WaveSnow Globe
Use Ice Wave to set up Snow Globe, or follow Snow Globe with Ice Wave while enemies are vulnerable.
- Ice WaveAvalanche
Use Ice Wave to set up Avalanche, or follow Avalanche with Ice Wave while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Improves Ice Wave’s damage or effect potency where Strength is listed on the ability.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Ice Wave unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Range is usually dumpable on Ice Wave unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.
Efficiency
- Ice Wave 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 Ice Wave still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Ice Wave to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Ice Wave only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Ice Wave 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 — Ice Wave is tuned for Frost’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Freeze
Snow Globe
Avalanche