Sandstorm
Used by Inaros
Sandstorm
Become a sandstorm. Inaros devours enemies pulled into his whirlwind, healing himself.
Introduced in Update 18.5 (2016-03-04)
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
- Become a sandstorm.
Info
- Sandstorm is Inaros’s ability 2.
- Become a sandstorm.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Desiccation, Scarab Shell — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Elemental Sandstorm
Sandstorm Augment: Sandstorm gains 50% Ability Range and has a 100% chance of inflicting Status Effects based on the Damage Types on the…
InarosSandstorm Augment: Sandstorm gains 50% Ability Range and has a 100% chance of inflicting Status Effects based on the Damage Types on the equipped Melee Weapon.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Sandstorm with: Sandstorm Augment: Sandstorm gains 50% Ability Range and has a 100% chance of inflicting Status Effects based on the Damage Types on the equipped Melee Weapon.
- 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 Inaros.
- Skip it if the base Sandstorm already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Sandstorm when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Sandstorm with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Sandstorm still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 2, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Inaros.
Ability dossier · Sandstorm
Synergies
- SandstormDesiccation
Use Sandstorm to set up Desiccation, or follow Desiccation with Sandstorm while enemies are vulnerable.
- SandstormScarab Shell
Use Sandstorm to set up Scarab Shell, or follow Scarab Shell with Sandstorm while enemies are vulnerable.
- SandstormScarab Swarm
Use Sandstorm to set up Scarab Swarm, or follow Scarab Swarm with Sandstorm while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Strength matters if Sandstorm scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Sandstorm unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Range is usually dumpable on Sandstorm unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.
Efficiency
- Sandstorm 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 Sandstorm still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Sandstorm to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Sandstorm only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Sandstorm 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 — Sandstorm is tuned for Inaros’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Desiccation
Scarab Shell
Scarab Swarm