Theorylytics

Parasitic Link

Used by Nidus

Ability3
Energy25

Parasitic Link

Bind to a target with parasitic link. When cast on an ally, both the host and Nidus have their Ability Strength and Weapon Damage increased. Linked enemies take some of the damage inflicted on Nidus.

Introduced in Update 19.5 (2016-12-22)

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
  • Bind to a target with parasitic link.

Info

  • Parasitic Link is Nidus’s ability 3.
  • Bind to a target with parasitic link.
  • Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Virulence, Larva — 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

Parasitic Vitality

Parasitic Link Augment: Nidus and any ally he's bound to gain 4% Max Health per Mutation during Parasitic Link.

Nidus
Open augment →
Parasitic Vitality

Parasitic Link Augment: Nidus and any ally he's bound to gain 4% Max Health per Mutation during Parasitic Link.

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

Open full augment page →

Cast Changes

  1. Modifies Parasitic Link with: Parasitic Link Augment: Nidus and any ally he's bound to gain 4% Max Health per Mutation during Parasitic Link.
  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 Nidus.
  2. Skip it if the base Parasitic Link already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.

Tips & Tricks

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

Ability dossier · Parasitic Link

Verified 2026-07-22

Synergies

  • Parasitic LinkVirulence

    Use Parasitic Link to set up Virulence, or follow Virulence with Parasitic Link while enemies are vulnerable.

  • Parasitic LinkLarva

    Use Parasitic Link to set up Larva, or follow Larva with Parasitic Link while enemies are vulnerable.

  • Parasitic LinkRavenous

    Use Parasitic Link to set up Ravenous, or follow Ravenous with Parasitic Link while enemies are vulnerable.

Mod Scaling

Strength

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

Duration

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

Range

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

Efficiency

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

Other Nidus abilities