Shadows Of The Dead
Used by Nekros
Shadows Of The Dead
Summon shadow versions of vanquished enemies to fight alongside you for a short period.
Introduced in Update 10.0 (2013-09-13)
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
- Summon shadow versions of vanquished enemies to fight alongside you for a short period.
Info
- Shadows Of The Dead is Nekros’s ability 4.
- Summon shadow versions of vanquished enemies to fight alongside you for a short period.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Soul Punch, Terrify — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Shield Of Shadows
Shadows of the Dead Augment: Each Shadow within 50m take 6% of the Damage done to Nekros in his stead.
NekrosShadows of the Dead Augment: Each Shadow within 50m take 6% of the Damage done to Nekros in his stead.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Shadows Of The Dead with: Shadows of the Dead Augment: Each Shadow within 50m take 6% of the Damage done to Nekros in his stead.
- 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 Nekros.
- Skip it if the base Shadows Of The Dead already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Shadows Of The Dead when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Shadows Of The Dead with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Shadows Of The Dead still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 4, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Nekros.
Ability dossier · Shadows Of The Dead
Synergies
- Shadows Of The DeadSoul Punch
Use Shadows Of The Dead to set up Soul Punch, or follow Soul Punch with Shadows Of The Dead while enemies are vulnerable.
- Shadows Of The DeadTerrify
Use Shadows Of The Dead to set up Terrify, or follow Terrify with Shadows Of The Dead while enemies are vulnerable.
- Shadows Of The DeadDesecrate
Use Shadows Of The Dead to set up Desecrate, or follow Desecrate with Shadows Of The Dead while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Strength matters if Shadows Of The Dead scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Shadows Of The Dead unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Range is usually dumpable on Shadows Of The Dead unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.
Efficiency
- Shadows Of The Dead 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 Shadows Of The Dead still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Shadows Of The Dead to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Shadows Of The Dead only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Shadows Of The Dead 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 — Shadows Of The Dead is tuned for Nekros’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Soul Punch
Terrify
Desecrate