Theorylytics
Cerata

Cerata

Status Melee / Conditioner

Twisted and tortured from exposure to the Infestation, this glaive becomes an absolute predator in the hands of the right Tenno.

Role
Status Melee / Conditioner
Polarities
MaduraiMaduraiVazarinVazarin
Exilus
Mastery
7
Disposition
1.25
Introduced
Update 17.9 (2015-10-28)

Stats

Ordnance Telemetry

MeleeMelee

Damage

183.0

Crit

15.0%

Crit Mult

2.0x

Status

30.0%

Damage Composition

183.0 total

Impact
19.0
Puncture
52.0
Slash
36.0
Attack Speed
1.0
Range
1.25
Combo
5.0s
Follow Through
0.7
Disposition1.25
MaduraiVazarin
  • Mastery7
  • IntroducedUpdate 17.9 (2015-10-28)
  • Market150 Platinum
  • Build Cost30,000 Credits
  • Build Time24h 0m
  • Rush35 Platinum

Weapon dossier

Verified 2026-07-23

Playstyle

Twisted and tortured from exposure to the Infestation, this glaive becomes an absolute predator in the hands of the right Tenno. Built as a status melee / conditioner option for squad clear and mission pressure.

Signature

Cerata is not a signature weapon — any frame can use it without a signature passive.

When to Pick

  • You want a Melee that fits a status melee / conditioner play pattern.
  • Your loadout needs what Cerata does well — check Mission Usefulness below before investing Forma.
  • You’re ready to Catalyze / Forma it if you plan to main it on Steel Path.

Attack Modes

  • Normal Attack

    Impact 19 · Slash 52 · Puncture 36 · Toxin 76

    Crit 15% / 2× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 1

  • Throw

    Impact 33 · Slash 52 · Puncture 39 · Toxin 77

    Thrown · Crit 19% / 2.1× · Status 33% · Fire Rate 1 · Projectile 35

  • Throw Bounce Explosion

    Toxin 333

    AoE · Crit 19% / 2.1× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 1 · Falloff 0–4.8m (−30%)

  • Throw Recall Explosion

    Toxin 666

    AoE · Crit 19% / 2.1× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 1 · Falloff 0–4.8m (−0%)

  • Charged Throw

    Impact 46 · Slash 114 · Puncture 80 · Toxin 162

    Thrown · Crit 21% / 2.3× · Status 34% · Fire Rate 0.83 · Projectile 45

  • Charged Throw Bounce Explosion

    Toxin 666

    AoE · Crit 21% / 2.3× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 0.83 · Falloff 0–4.8m (−30%)

  • Charged Throw Recall Explosion

    Toxin 1318

    AoE · Crit 21% / 2.3× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 0.83 · Falloff 0–4.8m (−0%)

  • Slam Attack

    Toxin 366

    AoE · Crit 15% / 2× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 1 · Falloff 0–5m (−50%)

  • Heavy Slam Attack

    Toxin 549

    AoE · Crit 15% / 2× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 1 · Falloff 0–6m (−30%)

Attack Notes

  • Normal Attack: Impact 19.0, Slash 52.0, Puncture 36.0.
  • Throw (Thrown): Impact 33.0, Slash 52.0, Puncture 39.0.
  • Throw Bounce Explosion (AoE): Toxin 333.0.

Upgrades

Permanent investments on this weapon copy — separate from the Prime variant.

  • Orokin CatalystCapacity

    Doubles mod capacity so endgame builds fit.

    Usually the first permanent upgrade on a weapon you plan to main.

  • FormaPolarity

    Adds or changes polarities so matching mods cost half capacity.

    expect multiple Forma for a hungry config.

  • Stance / Exilus (as applicable)Slot

    Unlocks utility options (Exilus on guns; melee focuses on stance polarity + utility mods).

    Install when you need ammo, handling, or QoL without sacrificing damage slots.

  • Melee Arcane AdapterArcane

    Lets you install a weapon arcane for a strong passive bonus.

    Worth it once the base mod config is already solid.

  • Riven ModRiven

    Unique rolled mod. Disposition 1.25.

    Chase clean desirable stats; skip awkward negatives on low-disposition weapons.

Mod Scaling

Multishot

Melee doesn’t use multishot — invest in range, combo, and attack speed instead.

Critical

Blood Rush + crit damage is the classic crit melee route when base crit is workable.

Elemental

Viral/Heat or Corrosive/Heat dual-stats after your damage and conditioner mods.

Fire Rate

Attack speed (Berserker Fury / Primed Fury) keeps combo stacks rising.

Priority

Damage/CO → Blood Rush / Weeping Wounds → Crit Damage → Elemental → Range/Speed QoL.

Mission Usefulness

Mission / ContextRatingWhy
Steel Path Survival / Defense / DisruptionStrongTest whether Cerata still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled.
Exterminate / Capture Speed RunsStrongUse Cerata when its fire pattern matches fast tile clears — skip if it feels awkward on empty lanes.
Mobile Defense / ExcavationStrongHold objectives by deleting approach packs with Cerata, then reposition.
Open World / Long SightlinesSituationalLong sightlines favor hitscan/sniper/bow patterns over short falloff or melee.
Solo Boss / Single-TargetSituationalFine if Cerata has strong single-target multipliers; otherwise bring a dedicated boss weapon.

Acquisition

Check the How to Get table for blueprint / part drop sources.

Crafting

Build
Credits
30,000
Time
24h 0m
Rush
35 Plat
Blueprint×1Cryotic×2,500Forma×1Mutagen Mass×4Plastids×1,200
Total resources
Blueprint×1Cryotic×2,500Forma×1Mutagen Mass×4Plastids×1,200
Credits
30,000
Time
1d
Rush
35 Plat

Alternatives

Other options if Cerata isn’t the right fit.

  • Ack & Brunt

    Another Melee if you want less status than Cerata (Ack & Brunt: 10.0%).

  • Amanata

    Another Melee option if Cerata’s handling or acquisition doesn’t fit your farm.