Ophidian Bite
Used by Lavos
Ophidian Bite
Lash out with a toxic serpentine strike, consuming the target to heal Lavos. Hold to imbue all abilities with Toxin.
Introduced in Update 29.6 (2020-12-18)
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
- Lash out with a toxic serpentine strike, consuming the target to heal Lavos.
Info
- Ophidian Bite is Lavos’s ability 1.
- Lash out with a toxic serpentine strike, consuming the target to heal Lavos.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Vial Rush, Transmutation Probe — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Swift Bite
Ophidian Bite Augment: Reduce Ability Cooldowns by 4s when at least 4 enemies are hit. Ophidian Bite is granted 30% additional Ability Ra…
LavosOphidian Bite Augment: Reduce Ability Cooldowns by 4s when at least 4 enemies are hit. Ophidian Bite is granted 30% additional Ability Range.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Ophidian Bite with: Ophidian Bite Augment: Reduce Ability Cooldowns by 4s when at least 4 enemies are hit.
- 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 Lavos.
- Skip it if the base Ophidian Bite already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Ophidian Bite when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Ophidian Bite with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Ophidian Bite still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 1, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Lavos.
Ability dossier · Ophidian Bite
Synergies
- Ophidian BiteVial Rush
Use Ophidian Bite to set up Vial Rush, or follow Vial Rush with Ophidian Bite while enemies are vulnerable.
- Ophidian BiteTransmutation Probe
Use Ophidian Bite to set up Transmutation Probe, or follow Transmutation Probe with Ophidian Bite while enemies are vulnerable.
- Ophidian BiteCatalyze
Use Ophidian Bite to set up Catalyze, or follow Catalyze with Ophidian Bite while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Strength matters if Ophidian Bite scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Ophidian Bite unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Range is usually dumpable on Ophidian Bite unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.
Efficiency
- Ophidian Bite 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 Ophidian Bite still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Ophidian Bite to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Ophidian Bite only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Ophidian Bite 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 — Ophidian Bite is tuned for Lavos’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Vial Rush
Transmutation Probe
Catalyze