Theorylytics

Metamorphosis

Used by Equinox

Ability1
Energy25

Metamorphosis

Switch forms, temporarily gaining bonus Shields and Armor in Night-Form, or bonus Damage and Speed in Day-Form.

Introduced in Update 17.0 (2015-07-31)

Ability stats

Strength
  • See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
Duration
  • See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
Range
  • See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
Misc
  • Switch forms, temporarily gaining bonus Shields and Armor in Night-Form, or bonus Damage and Speed in Day-Form.

Info

  • Metamorphosis is Equinox’s ability 1.
  • Switch forms, temporarily gaining bonus Shields and Armor in Night-Form, or bonus Damage and Speed in Day-Form.
  • Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Rest & Rage, Pacify & Provoke — instead of casting it in isolation.
  • Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.

Augment

9

Duality

Metamorphosis Augment: Equinox's other half breaks free for 10s, dealing 300% Damage.

Equinox
Open augment →
Duality

Metamorphosis Augment: Equinox's other half breaks free for 10s, dealing 300% Damage.

Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.

Open full augment page →

Cast Changes

  1. Modifies Metamorphosis with: Metamorphosis Augment: Equinox's other half breaks free for 10s, dealing 300% Damage.
  2. Rank up the augment to unlock the full effect values.
  3. Costs a mod slot (and capacity) — only equip it when the change matters for your loop.

Worth the Slot?

  1. Worth it when the augment’s change is central to how you play Equinox.
  2. Skip it if the base Metamorphosis already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.

Tips & Tricks

  • Read the battlefield first — cast Metamorphosis when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
  • Pair Metamorphosis with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
  • On Steel Path, confirm whether Metamorphosis still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
  • If you never press 1, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Equinox.

Ability dossier · Metamorphosis

Verified 2026-07-22

Synergies

  • MetamorphosisRest & Rage

    Use Metamorphosis to set up Rest & Rage, or follow Rest & Rage with Metamorphosis while enemies are vulnerable.

  • MetamorphosisPacify & Provoke

    Use Metamorphosis to set up Pacify & Provoke, or follow Pacify & Provoke with Metamorphosis while enemies are vulnerable.

  • MetamorphosisMend & Maim

    Use Metamorphosis to set up Mend & Maim, or follow Mend & Maim with Metamorphosis while enemies are vulnerable.

Mod Scaling

Strength

Improves Metamorphosis’s damage or effect potency where Strength is listed on the ability.

Duration

Duration is low priority on Metamorphosis unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.

Range

Range is usually dumpable on Metamorphosis unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.

Efficiency

Metamorphosis 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

MissionHow to Use It
Steel Path Survival / Defense / DisruptionTest whether Metamorphosis still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled.
Mobile Defense / ExcavationUse Metamorphosis to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition.
Exterminate / Capture Speed RunsCast Metamorphosis only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles.
Spy / Rescue / Quiet RoutesIf Metamorphosis 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 — Metamorphosis is tuned for Equinox’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.

Other Equinox abilities