Theorylytics
Hirudo

Hirudo

Crit Melee / Combo Scaler

Rip into the enemy with fists of razor sharp cartilage. Steals health with each critical hit.

Role
Crit Melee / Combo Scaler
Polarities
MaduraiMadurai
Exilus
Mastery
7
Disposition
1.15
Introduced
Update 19.5 (2016-12-22)

Stats

Ordnance Telemetry

MeleeMelee

Damage

130.0

Crit

30.0%

Crit Mult

3.0x

Status

11.0%

Damage Composition

130.0 total

Impact
19.5
Puncture
6.5
Slash
104.0
Attack Speed
1.0
Range
1.25
Combo
5.0s
Follow Through
0.9
Disposition1.15
Madurai
  • Mastery7
  • IntroducedUpdate 19.5 (2016-12-22)
  • Market150 Platinum
  • Build Cost30,000 Credits
  • Build Time12h 0m
  • Rush35 Platinum

Weapon dossier

Verified 2026-07-23

Playstyle

Rip into the enemy with fists of razor sharp cartilage. Built as a crit melee / combo scaler option for squad clear and mission pressure.

Signature

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

When to Pick

  • You want a Melee that fits a crit melee / combo scaler play pattern.
  • Your loadout needs what Hirudo 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 19.5 · Slash 6.5 · Puncture 104

    Crit 30% / 3× · Status 11% · Fire Rate 1

  • Slam Attack

    Impact 260

    AoE · Crit 30% / 3× · Status 10% · Fire Rate 1 · Falloff 0–7m (−50%)

  • Heavy Slam Attack

    Blast 390

    AoE · Crit 30% / 3× · Status 10% · Fire Rate 1 · Falloff 0–8m (−30%)

Attack Notes

  • Normal Attack: Impact 19.5, Slash 6.5, Puncture 104.0.
  • Slam Attack (AoE): Impact 260.0.
  • Heavy Slam Attack (AoE): Blast 390.0.

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 1.15.

    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 Hirudo still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled.
Exterminate / Capture Speed RunsStrongUse Hirudo 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 Hirudo, then reposition.
Open World / Long SightlinesSituationalLong sightlines favor hitscan/sniper/bow patterns over short falloff or melee.
Solo Boss / Single-TargetSituationalFine if Hirudo 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
12h 0m
Rush
35 Plat
Total resources
Credits
30,000
Time
12h
Rush
35 Plat

Alternatives

Other options if Hirudo isn’t the right fit.

  • Ack & Brunt

    Another Melee if you want less crit than Hirudo (Ack & Brunt: 20.0%).

  • Amanata

    Another Melee if you want more status than Hirudo (Amanata: 24.0%).