Virulence
Used by Nidus
Virulence
Rupture the ground with a damaging fungal growth that steals energy from each enemy it strikes. For every five enemies hit, the Infestation mutates, multiplying its destructive force.
Introduced in Update 19.5 (2016-12-22)
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
- Rupture the ground with a damaging fungal growth that steals energy from each enemy it strikes.
Info
- Virulence is Nidus’s ability 1.
- Rupture the ground with a damaging fungal growth that steals energy from each enemy it strikes.
- Use it with the rest of the kit — especially Larva, Parasitic Link — instead of casting it in isolation.
- Ability Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency each matter differently; check Mod Scaling below before dumping all four.
Augment
Abundant Mutation
Passive Augment: Nidus gains an additional 300 max stacks of Mutation. Undying has a 30s cooldown.
NidusPassive Augment: Nidus gains an additional 300 max stacks of Mutation. Undying has a 30s cooldown.
Max rank drain ~9; see rank table on the augment page.
Cast Changes
- Modifies Virulence with: Passive Augment: Nidus gains an additional 300 max stacks of Mutation.
- 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 Nidus.
- Skip it if the base Virulence already does what you need and you’d rather keep the slot for survivability or strength.
Tips & Tricks
- Read the battlefield first — cast Virulence when it actually solves the room, not on cooldown habit.
- Pair Virulence with movement and energy economy so you’re not stranded after a big spend.
- On Steel Path, confirm whether Virulence still carries without strip, Viral, or a squad buff.
- If you never press 1, it’s the first Helminth candidate on Nidus.
Ability dossier · Virulence
Synergies
- VirulenceLarva
Use Virulence to set up Larva, or follow Larva with Virulence while enemies are vulnerable.
- VirulenceParasitic Link
Use Virulence to set up Parasitic Link, or follow Parasitic Link with Virulence while enemies are vulnerable.
- VirulenceRavenous
Use Virulence to set up Ravenous, or follow Ravenous with Virulence while enemies are vulnerable.
Mod Scaling
Strength
- Strength matters if Virulence scales effect power; otherwise dump it for other stats.
Duration
- Duration is low priority on Virulence unless an augment or lingering effect needs it.
Range
- Range is usually dumpable on Virulence unless you feel the hitbox is too tight.
Efficiency
- Virulence 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 Virulence still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled. |
| Mobile Defense / Excavation | Use Virulence to control or delete the swarm on the objective, then reposition. |
| Exterminate / Capture Speed Runs | Cast Virulence only when it saves time — skip it on empty tiles. |
| Spy / Rescue / Quiet Routes | If Virulence 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 — Virulence is tuned for Nidus’s loop — don’t judge it as a standalone subsume without the rest of the kit.
Larva
Parasitic Link
Ravenous