Soul Punch
Used by Nekros
Soul Punch
A blow so powerful, it turns the enemy's very soul into a deadly projectile, damaging all in its path. Enemies that survive the blow are Marked for Harvest and become one of Nekros' Shadows of the Dead if killed while marked.
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
- A blow so powerful, it turns the enemy's very soul into a deadly projectile, damaging all in its path.
Info
- Soul Punch is Nekros’s ability 1.
- A blow so powerful, it turns the enemy's very soul into a deadly projectile, damaging all in its path.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Terrify, Desecrate — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Discharge Strike
Soul Punch Augment: Depletes up to 25 Energy from the target.
NekrosSoul Punch Augment: Depletes up to 25 Energy from the target.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Soul Punch with: Soul Punch Augment: Depletes up to 25 Energy from the target.
- 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 Soul Punch already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Soul Punch when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Soul Punch with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Soul Punch still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 1, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Nekros.
Ability dossier · Soul Punch
Synergies
- Soul PunchTerrify
Use Soul Punch to set up Terrify, or follow Terrify with Soul Punch while enemies are vulnerable.
- Soul PunchDesecrate
Use Soul Punch to set up Desecrate, or follow Desecrate with Soul Punch while enemies are vulnerable.
- Soul PunchShadows Of The Dead
Use Soul Punch to set up Shadows Of The Dead, or follow Shadows Of The Dead with Soul Punch while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Strength matters if Soul Punch scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.
Duration
- Extends how long Soul Punch’s effect lasts.
Range
- Range is usually dumpable on Soul Punch unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.
Efficiency
- Soul Punch 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 Soul Punch still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Soul Punch to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Soul Punch only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Soul Punch 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 — Soul Punch is tuned for Nekros’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Terrify
Desecrate
Shadows Of The Dead