Thermal Sunder
Used by Gauss
Thermal Sunder
Siphon kinetic energy from the area, charging the battery and inflicting Cold Status on nearby enemies. Hold reverses the process, draining the battery and inflicting Heat Status on nearby enemies.
Introduced in Update 25.7 (2019-08-29)
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
- Siphon kinetic energy from the area, charging the battery and inflicting Cold Status on nearby enemies.
Info
- Thermal Sunder is Gauss’s ability 3.
- Siphon kinetic energy from the area, charging the battery and inflicting Cold Status on nearby enemies.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Mach Rush, Kinetic Plating — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Thermal Transfer
Thermal Sunder Augment: Allies in range gain 75% bonus Elemental Damage for 30s.
GaussThermal Sunder Augment: Allies in range gain 75% bonus Elemental Damage for 30s.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Thermal Sunder with: Thermal Sunder Augment: Allies in range gain 75% bonus Elemental Damage for 30s.
- 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 Gauss.
- Skip it if the base Thermal Sunder already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Thermal Sunder when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Thermal Sunder with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Thermal Sunder still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 3, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Gauss.
Ability dossier · Thermal Sunder
Synergies
- Thermal SunderMach Rush
Use Thermal Sunder to set up Mach Rush, or follow Mach Rush with Thermal Sunder while enemies are vulnerable.
- Thermal SunderKinetic Plating
Use Thermal Sunder to set up Kinetic Plating, or follow Kinetic Plating with Thermal Sunder while enemies are vulnerable.
- Thermal SunderRedline
Use Thermal Sunder to set up Redline, or follow Redline with Thermal Sunder while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Strength matters if Thermal Sunder scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Thermal Sunder unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Increases Thermal Sunder’s reach, radius, or targeting distance.
Efficiency
- Thermal Sunder 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 Thermal Sunder still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Thermal Sunder to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Thermal Sunder only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Thermal Sunder 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 — Thermal Sunder is tuned for Gauss’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Mach Rush
Kinetic Plating
Redline