Psychic Bolts
Used by Nyx
Psychic Bolts
Nyx unleashes a volley of psychic bolts that track and strike nearby enemies with telekinetic precision. When enemies are slain, additional bolts scatter to new targets. Striking foes weakens their defenses and transfers a portion to Nyx.
Introduced in Update 6.0 (2013-01-29)
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
- Nyx unleashes a volley of psychic bolts that track and strike nearby enemies with telekinetic precision.
Info
- Psychic Bolts is Nyx’s ability 2.
- Nyx unleashes a volley of psychic bolts that track and strike nearby enemies with telekinetic precision.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Mind Control, Chaos — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Pacifying Bolts
Psychic Bolts Augment: Throw an additional 3 force bolts with guaranteed Radiation Status Effect. Enemies struck are confused for 10s.
NyxPsychic Bolts Augment: Throw an additional 3 force bolts with guaranteed Radiation Status Effect. Enemies struck are confused for 10s.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Psychic Bolts with: Psychic Bolts Augment: Throw an additional 3 force bolts with guaranteed Radiation Status Effect.
- 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 Nyx.
- Skip it if the base Psychic Bolts already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Psychic Bolts when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Psychic Bolts with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Psychic Bolts still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 2, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Nyx.
Ability dossier · Psychic Bolts
Synergies
- Psychic BoltsMind Control
Use Psychic Bolts to set up Mind Control, or follow Mind Control with Psychic Bolts while enemies are vulnerable.
- Psychic BoltsChaos
Use Psychic Bolts to set up Chaos, or follow Chaos with Psychic Bolts while enemies are vulnerable.
- Psychic BoltsAbsorb
Use Psychic Bolts to set up Absorb, or follow Absorb with Psychic Bolts while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Strength matters if Psychic Bolts scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Psychic Bolts unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Increases Psychic Bolts’s reach, radius, or targeting distance.
Efficiency
- Psychic Bolts 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 Psychic Bolts still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Psychic Bolts to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Psychic Bolts only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Psychic Bolts 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 — Psychic Bolts is tuned for Nyx’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Mind Control
Chaos
Absorb