Iron Skin
Used by Rhino
Iron Skin
Rhino hardens his skin, insulating himself from all damage and gaining Overguard.
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
- Rhino hardens his skin, insulating himself from all damage and gaining Overguard.
Info
- Iron Skin is Rhino’s ability 2.
- Rhino hardens his skin, insulating himself from all damage and gaining Overguard.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Rhino Charge, Roar — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Iron Shrapnel
Iron Skin Augment: Recasting Iron Skin will cause it to detonate, dealing 100% of its remaining Health as Puncture Damage, and knocking d…
RhinoIron Skin Augment: Recasting Iron Skin will cause it to detonate, dealing 100% of its remaining Health as Puncture Damage, and knocking down enemies.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Iron Skin with: Iron Skin Augment: Recasting Iron Skin will cause it to detonate, dealing 100% of its remaining Health as Puncture Damage, and knocking down 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 Rhino.
- Skip it if the base Iron Skin already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Iron Skin when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Iron Skin with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Iron Skin still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 2, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Rhino.
Ability dossier · Iron Skin
Synergies
- Iron SkinRhino Charge
Use Iron Skin to set up Rhino Charge, or follow Rhino Charge with Iron Skin while enemies are vulnerable.
- Iron SkinRoar
Use Iron Skin to set up Roar, or follow Roar with Iron Skin while enemies are vulnerable.
- Iron SkinRhino Stomp
Use Iron Skin to set up Rhino Stomp, or follow Rhino Stomp with Iron Skin while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Improves Iron Skin’s damage or effect potency where Strength is listed on the ability.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Iron Skin unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Range is usually dumpable on Iron Skin unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.
Efficiency
- Iron Skin 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 Iron Skin still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Iron Skin to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Iron Skin only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Iron Skin 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 — Iron Skin is tuned for Rhino’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Rhino Charge
Roar
Rhino Stomp