Theorylytics
Pangolin Prime

Pangolin Prime

Crit Melee / Combo Scaler

A classic Tenno blade, beautifully reimagined.

Role
Crit Melee / Combo Scaler
Polarities
MaduraiMaduraiMaduraiMadurai
Exilus
Mastery
14
Disposition
1.05
Introduced
Hotfix 27.3.6 (2020-03-31)

Stats

Ordnance Telemetry

MeleeMelee

Damage

248.0

Crit

26.0%

Crit Mult

2.2x

Status

30.0%

Damage Composition

248.0 total

Impact
12.4
Puncture
198.4
Slash
37.2
Attack Speed
0.92
Range
2.5
Combo
5.0s
Follow Through
0.6
Disposition1.05
MaduraiMadurai
  • Mastery14
  • IntroducedHotfix 27.3.6 (2020-03-31)
  • Build Cost15,000 Credits
  • Build Time12h 0m
  • Rush50 Platinum

Weapon dossier

Verified 2026-07-23

Playstyle

A classic Tenno blade, beautifully reimagined. Built as a crit melee / combo scaler option for squad clear and mission pressure.

Signature

Pangolin Prime 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 Pangolin Prime 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 12.4 · Slash 198.4 · Puncture 37.2

    Crit 26% / 2.2× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 0.92

  • Slam Attack

    Impact 496

    AoE · Crit 26% / 2.2× · Status 10% · Fire Rate 0.92 · Falloff 0–8m (−50%)

  • Heavy Slam Attack

    Blast 744

    AoE · Crit 26% / 2.2× · Status 10% · Fire Rate 0.92 · Falloff 0–8m (−30%)

Attack Notes

  • Normal Attack: Impact 12.4, Slash 198.4, Puncture 37.2.
  • Slam Attack (AoE): Impact 496.0.
  • Heavy Slam Attack (AoE): Blast 744.0.

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.

    Prime polarities help, but 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 1.05.

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

Acquisition

Blueprint / parts commonly listed from sources like Axi P4 Relic. Full drop rows are in How to Get below.

How to Get

SourceDrop rate
  • Axi P4 Relic2.00%
  • Lith P5 Relic2.00%
  • Meso P3 Relic2.00%
  • Neo P1 Relic2.00%
  • Neo P3 Relic2.00%
  • Neo P5 Relic2.00%

Crafting

Build
Credits
15,000
Time
12h 0m
Rush
50 Plat
Blade×1Blueprint×1Handle×1Orokin Cell×15
Total resources
Blade×1Blueprint×1Handle×1Orokin Cell×15
Credits
15,000
Time
12h
Rush
50 Plat

Alternatives

Other options if Pangolin Prime isn’t the right fit.

  • Ack & Brunt

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

  • Amanata

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