Tentacle Swarm
Used by Hydroid
Tentacle Swarm
Summon a creature from the depths. Its watery tentacles emerge from nearby surfaces to wreak havoc.
Introduced in Update 13.0 (2014-04-09)
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
- Summon a creature from the depths.
Info
- Tentacle Swarm is Hydroid’s ability 4.
- Summon a creature from the depths.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Tempest Barrage, Tidal Surge — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Pilfering Swarm
Tentacle Swarm Augment: Enemies held by tentacles have a 100% chance at additional drops.
HydroidTentacle Swarm Augment: Enemies held by tentacles have a 100% chance at additional drops.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Tentacle Swarm with: Tentacle Swarm Augment: Enemies held by tentacles have a 100% chance at additional drops.
- 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 Hydroid.
- Skip it if the base Tentacle Swarm already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Tentacle Swarm when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Tentacle Swarm with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Tentacle Swarm still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 4, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Hydroid.
Ability dossier · Tentacle Swarm
Synergies
- Tentacle SwarmTempest Barrage
Use Tentacle Swarm to set up Tempest Barrage, or follow Tempest Barrage with Tentacle Swarm while enemies are vulnerable.
- Tentacle SwarmTidal Surge
Use Tentacle Swarm to set up Tidal Surge, or follow Tidal Surge with Tentacle Swarm while enemies are vulnerable.
- Tentacle SwarmPlunder
Use Tentacle Swarm to set up Plunder, or follow Plunder with Tentacle Swarm while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Strength matters if Tentacle Swarm scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Tentacle Swarm unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Increases Tentacle Swarm’s reach, radius, or targeting distance.
Efficiency
- Tentacle Swarm 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 Tentacle Swarm still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Tentacle Swarm to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Tentacle Swarm only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Tentacle Swarm 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 — Tentacle Swarm is tuned for Hydroid’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Tempest Barrage
Tidal Surge
Plunder