Sound Quake
Used by Banshee
Sound Quake
Channeling all of her acoustic energy into the environment, Banshee uses ultrasonic reverberations to violently shake the ground.
Introduced in Update 7.0 (2013-03-18)
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
- Channeling all of her acoustic energy into the environment, Banshee uses ultrasonic reverberations to violently shake the ground.
Info
- Sound Quake is Banshee’s ability 4.
- Channeling all of her acoustic energy into the environment, Banshee uses ultrasonic reverberations to violently shake the ground.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Sonic Boom, Sonar — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Resonating Quake
Sound Quake Augment: Forgoes channeling to create a shockwave that deals 20x Damage at the epicenter, gradually weakening as it expands out.
BansheeSound Quake Augment: Forgoes channeling to create a shockwave that deals 20x Damage at the epicenter, gradually weakening as it expands out.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Sound Quake with: Sound Quake Augment: Forgoes channeling to create a shockwave that deals 20x Damage at the epicenter, gradually weakening as it expands out.
- 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 Banshee.
- Skip it if the base Sound Quake already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Sound Quake when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Sound Quake with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Sound Quake still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 4, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Banshee.
Ability dossier · Sound Quake
Synergies
- Sound QuakeSonic Boom
Use Sound Quake to set up Sonic Boom, or follow Sonic Boom with Sound Quake while enemies are vulnerable.
- Sound QuakeSonar
Use Sound Quake to set up Sonar, or follow Sonar with Sound Quake while enemies are vulnerable.
- Sound QuakeSilence
Use Sound Quake to set up Silence, or follow Silence with Sound Quake while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Strength matters if Sound Quake scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Sound Quake unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Range is usually dumpable on Sound Quake unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.
Efficiency
- Sound Quake 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 Sound Quake still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Sound Quake to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Sound Quake only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Sound Quake 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 — Sound Quake is tuned for Banshee’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Sonic Boom
Sonar
Silence