Theorylytics

Metronome

Used by Octavia

Ability3
Energy25

Metronome

Grants buffs to those who consistently perform actions in time to Octavia's music. Timed jumps offer the Vivace speed buff. Crouching on the beat grants cloaking with the Nocturne buff. Firing rhythmically bestows Opera multishot buff. Timed melee swings give the Forte damage buff.

Introduced in Update 20.0 (2017-03-24)

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
  • Grants buffs to those who consistently perform actions in time to Octavia's music.

Info

  • Metronome is Octavia’s ability 3.
  • Grants buffs to those who consistently perform actions in time to Octavia's music.
  • Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Mallet, Resonator — instead of casting it in isolation.
  • Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.

Tips & Tricks

  • Read the battlefield first — cast Metronome when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
  • Pair Metronome with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
  • On Steel Path, confirm whether Metronome still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
  • If you never press 3, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Octavia.

Ability dossier · Metronome

Verified 2026-07-22

Synergies

  • MetronomeMallet

    Use Metronome to set up Mallet, or follow Mallet with Metronome while enemies are vulnerable.

  • MetronomeResonator

    Use Metronome to set up Resonator, or follow Resonator with Metronome while enemies are vulnerable.

  • MetronomeAmp

    Use Metronome to set up Amp, or follow Amp with Metronome while enemies are vulnerable.

Mod Scaling

Strength

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

Duration

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

Range

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

Efficiency

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

Other Octavia abilities