Larva
Used by Nidus
Larva
Spawn an Infested pod that erupts with tendrils, latches onto nearby enemies and pulls them in. Enemies killed while held have a chance of generating a Mutation stack.
Introduced in Update 19.5 (2016-12-22)
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
- Spawn an Infested pod that erupts with tendrils, latches onto nearby enemies and pulls them in.
Info
- Larva is Nidus’s ability 2.
- Spawn an Infested pod that erupts with tendrils, latches onto nearby enemies and pulls them in.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Virulence, Parasitic Link — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Larva Burst
Larva Augment: Reactivate Larva to detonate and deal 600 Toxin Damage in a 8m radius. This damage and Status Effect stacks for every enem…
NidusLarva Augment: Reactivate Larva to detonate and deal 600 Toxin Damage in a 8m radius. This damage and Status Effect stacks for every enemy grabbed by the Larva.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Larva with: Larva Augment: Reactivate Larva to detonate and deal 600 Toxin Damage in a 8m radius.
- 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 Nidus.
- Skip it if the base Larva already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Larva when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Larva with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Larva still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 2, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Nidus.
Ability dossier · Larva
Synergies
- LarvaVirulence
Use Larva to set up Virulence, or follow Virulence with Larva while enemies are vulnerable.
- LarvaParasitic Link
Use Larva to set up Parasitic Link, or follow Parasitic Link with Larva while enemies are vulnerable.
- LarvaRavenous
Use Larva to set up Ravenous, or follow Ravenous with Larva while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Strength matters if Larva scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.
Duration
- Extends how long Larva’s effect lasts.
Range
- Increases Larva’s reach, radius, or targeting distance.
Efficiency
- Larva 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 Larva still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Larva to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Larva only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Larva 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 — Larva is tuned for Nidus’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Virulence
Parasitic Link
Ravenous