Tornado
Used by Zephyr
Tornado
Create deadly tornadoes that seek out and engulf enemies. Tornadoes deal the elemental Damage Type they absorb the most. Shoot engulfed enemies to inflict extra damage. Hold for stationary tornadoes or tap for wandering ones.
Introduced in Update 12.0 (2014-02-05)
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
- Create deadly tornadoes that seek out and engulf enemies.
Info
- Tornado is Zephyr’s ability 4.
- Create deadly tornadoes that seek out and engulf enemies.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Tail Wind, Airburst — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Funnel Clouds
Tornado Augment: Creates 8 additional tornadoes. All tornadoes are 50% their original size and won't pick up enemies.
ZephyrTornado Augment: Creates 8 additional tornadoes. All tornadoes are 50% their original size and won't pick up enemies.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Tornado with: Tornado Augment: Creates 8 additional tornadoes.
- 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 Zephyr.
- Skip it if the base Tornado already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Tornado when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Tornado with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Tornado still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 4, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Zephyr.
Ability dossier · Tornado
Synergies
- TornadoTail Wind
Use Tornado to set up Tail Wind, or follow Tail Wind with Tornado while enemies are vulnerable.
- TornadoAirburst
Use Tornado to set up Airburst, or follow Airburst with Tornado while enemies are vulnerable.
- TornadoTurbulence
Use Tornado to set up Turbulence, or follow Turbulence with Tornado while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Improves Tornado’s damage or effect potency where Strength is listed on the ability.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Tornado unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Range is usually dumpable on Tornado unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.
Efficiency
- Tornado 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 Tornado still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Tornado to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Tornado only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Tornado 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 — Tornado is tuned for Zephyr’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Tail Wind
Airburst
Turbulence