Theorylytics

Tempest Barrage

Used by Hydroid

Ability1
Energy25

Tempest Barrage

Summon a tempest to rain down upon a target area.

Introduced in Update 13.0 (2014-04-09)

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
  • Summon a tempest to rain down upon a target area.

Info

  • Tempest Barrage is Hydroid’s ability 1.
  • Summon a tempest to rain down upon a target area.
  • Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Tidal Surge, Plunder — 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

Viral Tempest

Tempest Barrage Augment: Each projectile has a 100% chance of inflicting a Viral Status Effect.

Hydroid
Open augment →
Viral Tempest

Tempest Barrage Augment: Each projectile has a 100% chance of inflicting a Viral Status Effect.

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

Open full augment page →

Cast Changes

  1. Modifies Tempest Barrage with: Tempest Barrage Augment: Each projectile has a 100% chance of inflicting a Viral Status Effect.
  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 Hydroid.
  2. Skip it if the base Tempest Barrage already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.

Tips & Tricks

  • Read the battlefield first — cast Tempest Barrage when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
  • Pair Tempest Barrage with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
  • On Steel Path, confirm whether Tempest Barrage still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
  • If you never press 1, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Hydroid.

Ability dossier · Tempest Barrage

Verified 2026-07-22

Synergies

  • Tempest BarrageTidal Surge

    Use Tempest Barrage to set up Tidal Surge, or follow Tidal Surge with Tempest Barrage while enemies are vulnerable.

  • Tempest BarragePlunder

    Use Tempest Barrage to set up Plunder, or follow Plunder with Tempest Barrage while enemies are vulnerable.

  • Tempest BarrageTentacle Swarm

    Use Tempest Barrage to set up Tentacle Swarm, or follow Tentacle Swarm with Tempest Barrage while enemies are vulnerable.

Mod Scaling

Strength

Strength matters if Tempest Barrage scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.

Duration

Duration is low priority on Tempest Barrage unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.

Range

Increases Tempest Barrage’s reach, radius, or targeting distance.

Efficiency

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

Other Hydroid abilities