Theorylytics
Glaive

Glaive

Melee / Generalist

Dating back to the time of the first Tenno, the Glaive is a uniquely deadly weapon. This multi-bladed disc is not only effective for melee combat; it can also be thrown like a boomerang to cut down enemies at a distance.

Role
Melee / Generalist
Polarities
MaduraiMaduraiNaramonNaramon
Exilus
Mastery
1
Disposition
1.3
Introduced
Update 7.9 (2013-04-26)

Stats

Ordnance Telemetry

MeleeMelee

Damage

105.0

Crit

12.0%

Crit Mult

2.0x

Status

12.0%

Damage Composition

105.0 total

Impact
15.8
Puncture
73.5
Slash
15.8
Attack Speed
1.0
Range
1.25
Combo
5.0s
Follow Through
0.7
Disposition1.3
MaduraiNaramon
  • Mastery1
  • IntroducedUpdate 7.9 (2013-04-26)
  • Market150 Platinum
  • Build Cost15,000 Credits
  • Build Time12h 0m
  • Rush35 Platinum

Weapon dossier

Verified 2026-07-23

Playstyle

Dating back to the time of the first Tenno, the Glaive is an uniquely deadly weapon. Built as a melee / generalist option for squad clear and mission pressure.

Signature

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

When to Pick

  • You want a Melee that fits a melee / generalist play pattern.
  • Your loadout needs what Glaive 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 15.8 · Slash 73.5 · Puncture 15.8

    Crit 12% / 2× · Status 12% · Fire Rate 1

  • Throw

    Impact 17.4 · Slash 81.2 · Puncture 17.4

    Thrown · Crit 14% / 2.1× · Status 14% · Fire Rate 1 · Projectile 20

  • Throw Bounce Explosion

    Blast 190

    AoE · Crit 14% / 2.1× · Status 14% · Fire Rate 1 · Falloff 0–4.8m (−40%)

  • Throw Recall Explosion

    Blast 380

    AoE · Crit 14% / 2.1× · Status 14% · Fire Rate 1 · Falloff 0–4.8m (−0%)

  • Charged Throw

    Impact 34.6 · Slash 161.7 · Puncture 34.6

    Thrown · Crit 16% / 2.2× · Status 16% · Fire Rate 0.83 · Projectile 35

  • Charged Throw Bounce Explosion

    Blast 378

    AoE · Crit 16% / 2.2× · Status 16% · Fire Rate 0.83 · Falloff 0–4.8m (−40%)

  • Charged Throw Recall Explosion

    Blast 756

    AoE · Crit 16% / 2.2× · Status 16% · Fire Rate 0.83 · Falloff 0–4.8m (−0%)

  • Slam Attack

    Impact 210

    AoE · Crit 12% / 2× · Status 10% · Fire Rate 1 · Falloff 0–5m (−50%)

  • Heavy Slam Attack

    Blast 315

    AoE · Crit 12% / 2× · Status 10% · Fire Rate 1 · Falloff 0–6m (−30%)

Attack Notes

  • Normal Attack: Impact 15.8, Slash 73.5, Puncture 15.8.
  • Throw (Thrown): Impact 17.4, Slash 81.2, Puncture 17.4.
  • Throw Bounce Explosion (AoE): Blast 190.0.

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 1.3.

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

  • Glaive PrimeVariant

    The primed version — stronger stats and usually better polarities.

    Upgrade path when relics/parts are available.

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 Glaive still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled.
Exterminate / Capture Speed RunsStrongUse Glaive 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 Glaive, then reposition.
Open World / Long SightlinesSituationalLong sightlines favor hitscan/sniper/bow patterns over short falloff or melee.
Solo Boss / Single-TargetSituationalFine if Glaive 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
15,000
Time
12h 0m
Rush
35 Plat
Total resources
Credits
15,000
Time
12h
Rush
35 Plat

Alternatives

Other options if Glaive isn’t the right fit.

  • Glaive Prime

    Prime upgrade in the same line as Glaive — Glaive Prime has higher damage (56%) and higher crit (83%). Compare polarities before Forma.

  • Ack & Brunt

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

  • Amanata

    Another Melee if you want more crit than Glaive (Amanata: 24.0%).