Theorylytics

Smoke Screen

Used by Ash

Ability2
Energy35

Smoke Screen

Drops a smoke bomb that stuns enemies and obscures their vision, rendering Ash invisible for a short time.

Introduced in Vanilla (2012-10-25)

Ability stats

Strength
  • N/A
Duration
  • 3 / 6 / 9 / 12 s
Range
  • 10 m
Misc
  • Stagger on hit

Info

  • Ash’s defensive core — a smoke bomb that stuns nearby enemies and grants temporary invisibility.
  • Invisibility lets Ash reposition, set up finishers, or safely cast into Blade Storm marks.
  • The stun on cast creates a short opening even if you don’t need the full invisibility window.
  • Duration mods extend how long you stay hidden; range affects the initial smoke/stun footprint.

Augment

9

Smoke Shadow

Also cloaks nearby allies on cast and grants a large additive critical-chance bonus while that invisibility lasts.

Ash
Open augment →
Smoke Shadow

Also cloaks nearby allies on cast and grants a large additive critical-chance bonus while that invisibility lasts.

Max rank: 15 m ally range, 12 s ally cloak duration (Duration/Range scale), +150% crit chance while invisible from Smoke Shadow.

Open full augment page →

Cast Changes

  1. Upgrades a selfish survival button into a squad stealth + crit buff.
  2. Allies must be in range at cast time; afterward they can leave the radius and keep the cloak.
  3. Crit bonus is additive with Point Strike / Blood Rush-style mods, but only while invisible from this augment — other invis sources don’t grant it.
  4. Multiple Ash players’ Smoke Shadow crit bonuses can stack (up to very high values in full Ash meme squads).

Worth the Slot?

  1. Worth it for squads that benefit from free stealth multipliers and gun/melee crit (especially melee Blood Rush loops).
  2. Strong with Teleport Rush, which can refresh Smoke Screen duration — including ally Smoke Shadow cloaks — without regrouping every cast.
  3. Skip it for pure solo Ash if you need the mod slot for stretch/flow/strength and never play with allies who use the buff.

Tips & Tricks

  • Open tough rooms with Smoke Screen first, then Teleport / Blade Storm while enemies can’t target you.
  • Recast before invisibility drops if you’re mid-assassination chain — dying mid-combo costs more than the energy.
  • Pair with Teleport finishers: smoke → teleport → finisher is Ash’s safest loop.
  • Don’t treat it as a full team stealth tool unless Smoke Shadow is equipped — base cast is primarily for Ash.

Ability dossier · Smoke Screen

Verified 2026-07-22

Synergies

  • Smoke ScreenTeleport

    Approach and finisher without getting deleted on arrival.

  • Smoke ScreenBlade Storm

    Mark and clear while untargetable in Steel Path density.

  • Smoke Shadow + Teleport Rush

    Teleport finishers extend invis windows for Ash and cloaked allies.

  • Seeking Shuriken under smoke

    Strip safely, then Teleport into the softened target.

Mod Scaling

Strength

Base Smoke Screen does not scale with Strength. Smoke Shadow’s crit bonus is fixed (not Strength-scaled).

Duration

Primary stat — longer invis means fewer recasts and smoother assassination chains. Ally cloak duration also scales.

Range

Scales the initial smoke/stun radius and Smoke Shadow’s ally cloak radius. Mild priority unless you’re hard-supporting a clustered squad.

Efficiency

35 energy is Ash’s priciest base cast — Efficiency (or energy economy) matters if you recast on cooldown.

Priority

Duration → Efficiency → Range, dump Strength for base smoke. With Smoke Shadow support: same, but keep enough Range to hit allies on cast.

Mission Use Cases

MissionHow to Use It
Steel Path Survival / DefenseCast Smoke Screen before you mark with Blade Storm. Invisibility stops enemies from shooting you while you set up the clear.
Spy / Rescue / NightmareUse the invisibility window to walk past cameras or rush a vault. With Smoke Shadow, nearby teammates can stay cloaked with you.
Assassination / Index-Style FightsOpen with smoke, Teleport the important target, then leave before the room focuses you. Short and safe burst engages.
Mobile Defense / ExcavationRecast Smoke Screen when you have to cross open ground. It lets you reach the next objective without getting sniped or staggered off it.

Comparisons

  • VS

    Vs Loki Invisibility or Ivara sleep arrows — Smoke Screen lasts less time, but it also stuns nearby enemies on cast. Loki/Ivara are better pure stealth; Ash’s smoke is better as a short combat safety button.

  • VS

    Vs Shade or Huras pet cloak — Smoke Screen is on demand and works whenever you cast it. Pet cloaks can drop at bad times because they depend on AI range.

Other Ash abilities