Theorylytics
Machete

Machete

Melee / Generalist

A ferocious Melee Weapon crafted by the Grineer and carried by their elite melee forces.

Role
Melee / Generalist
Polarities
None
Exilus
Mastery
1
Disposition
1.45
Introduced
Update 8.0 (2013-05-23)

Stats

Ordnance Telemetry

MeleeMelee

Damage

120.0

Crit

10.0%

Crit Mult

1.5x

Status

15.0%

Damage Composition

120.0 total

Impact
18.0
Puncture
84.0
Slash
18.0
Attack Speed
0.92
Range
2.5
Combo
5.0s
Follow Through
0.7
Disposition1.45
None
  • Mastery1
  • IntroducedUpdate 8.0 (2013-05-23)
  • Build Cost15,000 Credits
  • Build Time12h 0m
  • Rush25 Platinum

Weapon dossier

Verified 2026-07-23

Playstyle

A ferocious Melee Weapon crafted by the Grineer and carried by their elite melee forces. Built as a melee / generalist option for squad clear and mission pressure.

Signature

Machete 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 Machete 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 18 · Slash 84 · Puncture 18

    Crit 10% / 1.5× · Status 15% · Fire Rate 0.92

  • Slam Attack

    Impact 240

    AoE · Crit 10% / 1.5× · Status 10% · Fire Rate 0.92 · Falloff 0–8m (−50%)

  • Heavy Slam Attack

    Blast 360

    AoE · Crit 10% / 1.5× · Status 10% · Fire Rate 0.92 · Falloff 0–9m (−30%)

Attack Notes

  • Normal Attack: Impact 18.0, Slash 84.0, Puncture 18.0.
  • Slam Attack (AoE): Impact 240.0.
  • Heavy Slam Attack (AoE): Blast 360.0.

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 1.45.

    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 Machete still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled.
Exterminate / Capture Speed RunsStrongUse Machete 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 Machete, then reposition.
Open World / Long SightlinesSituationalLong sightlines favor hitscan/sniper/bow patterns over short falloff or melee.
Solo Boss / Single-TargetSituationalFine if Machete has strong single-target multipliers; otherwise bring a dedicated boss weapon.

Acquisition

Blueprint / parts commonly listed from sources like Cephalon Simaris, Unlock through Daily Tribute. Full drop rows are in How to Get below.

How to Get

SourceDrop rate
  • Cephalon Simaris, Unlock through Daily Tribute100.00%

Crafting

Build
Credits
15,000
Time
12h 0m
Rush
25 Plat
Total resources
Credits
15,000
Time
12h
Rush
25 Plat

Alternatives

Other options if Machete isn’t the right fit.

  • Machete Wraith

    Related variant in the same weapon line as Machete — Machete Wraith has higher damage (76%) and higher crit (90%). Compare polarities before Forma.

  • Prisma Machete

    Related variant in the same weapon line as Machete — Prisma Machete has higher damage (61%) and higher crit (50%). Compare polarities before Forma.

  • Ack & Brunt

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