Theorylytics

Splinter Storm

Used by Gara

Ability2
Energy25

Splinter Storm

Gara's armor splinters into a maelstrom of shattered glass. Allies who contact the cloud are fortified against damage.

Introduced in Update 22.0 (2017-10-12)

Ability stats

Strength
  • See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
Duration
  • See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
Range
  • See in-game / wiki ability card for rank values
Misc
  • Gara's armor splinters into a maelstrom of shattered glass.

Info

  • Splinter Storm is Gara’s ability 2.
  • Gara's armor splinters into a maelstrom of shattered glass.
  • Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Shattered Lash, Spectrorage — instead of casting it in isolation.
  • Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.

Augment

9

Mending Splinters

Splinter Storm Augment: For each target affected, Splinter Storm heals 15 Health/s.

Gara
Open augment →
Mending Splinters

Splinter Storm Augment: For each target affected, Splinter Storm heals 15 Health/s.

Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.

Open full augment page →

Cast Changes

  1. Modifies Splinter Storm with: Splinter Storm Augment: For each target affected, Splinter Storm heals 15 Health/s.
  2. Rank up the augment to unlock the full effect values.
  3. Costs a mod slot (and capacity) — only equip it when the change matters for your loop.

Worth the Slot?

  1. Worth it when the augment’s change is central to how you play Gara.
  2. Skip it if the base Splinter Storm already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.

Tips & Tricks

  • Read the battlefield first — cast Splinter Storm when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
  • Pair Splinter Storm with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
  • On Steel Path, confirm whether Splinter Storm still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
  • If you never press 2, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Gara.

Ability dossier · Splinter Storm

Verified 2026-07-22

Synergies

  • Splinter StormShattered Lash

    Use Splinter Storm to set up Shattered Lash, or follow Shattered Lash with Splinter Storm while enemies are vulnerable.

  • Splinter StormSpectrorage

    Use Splinter Storm to set up Spectrorage, or follow Spectrorage with Splinter Storm while enemies are vulnerable.

  • Splinter StormMass Vitrify

    Use Splinter Storm to set up Mass Vitrify, or follow Mass Vitrify with Splinter Storm while enemies are vulnerable.

Mod Scaling

Strength

Improves Splinter Storm’s damage or effect potency where Strength is listed on the ability.

Duration

Duration is low priority on Splinter Storm unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.

Range

Range is usually dumpable on Splinter Storm unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.

Efficiency

Splinter Storm 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

MissionHow to Use It
Steel Path Survival / Defense / DisruptionTest whether Splinter Storm still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled.
Mobile Defense / ExcavationUse Splinter Storm to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition.
Exterminate / Capture Speed RunsCast Splinter Storm only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles.
Spy / Rescue / Quiet RoutesIf Splinter Storm 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 — Splinter Storm is tuned for Gara’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.

Other Gara abilities