Theorylytics
Pathocyst

Pathocyst

Status Melee / Conditioner

Each strike of this infested glaive infects its target with viral pathogens. Occasionally, it discharges the spores of rabid, enemy-seeking maggots, either in-flight or on contact with the enemy.

Role
Status Melee / Conditioner
Polarities
MaduraiMaduraiVazarinVazarin
Exilus
Mastery
9
Disposition
1.35
Introduced
Hotfix 25.7.7 (2019-09-26)

Stats

Ordnance Telemetry

MeleeMelee

Damage

262.0

Crit

15.0%

Crit Mult

2.1x

Status

30.0%

Damage Composition

262.0 total

Impact
57.0
Puncture
61.0
Slash
55.0
Attack Speed
0.67
Range
1.3
Combo
5.0s
Follow Through
0.7
Disposition1.35
MaduraiVazarin
  • Mastery9
  • IntroducedHotfix 25.7.7 (2019-09-26)
  • Build Cost30,000 Credits
  • Build Time24h 0m
  • Rush25 Platinum

Weapon dossier

Verified 2026-07-23

Playstyle

Each strike of this infested glaive infects its target with viral pathogens. Built as a status melee / conditioner option for squad clear and mission pressure.

Signature

Pathocyst 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 Pathocyst 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 57 · Slash 61 · Puncture 55 · Viral 89

    Crit 15% / 2.1× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 0.67

  • Throw

    Impact 49 · Slash 78 · Puncture 43 · Viral 118

    Thrown · Crit 17% / 2.3× · Status 33% · Fire Rate 0.67 · Projectile 30

  • Throw Bounce Explosion

    Viral 393

    AoE · Crit 17% / 2.3× · Status 33% · Fire Rate 0.67 · Falloff 0–4.9m (−50%)

  • Throw Recall Explosion

    Viral 786

    AoE · Crit 17% / 2.3× · Status 33% · Fire Rate 0.67 · Falloff 0–4.9m (−0%)

  • Charged Throw

    Impact 127 · Slash 135 · Puncture 121 · Viral 193

    Thrown · Crit 21% / 2.5× · Status 35% · Fire Rate 0.83 · Projectile 30

  • Charged Throw Bounce Explosion

    Viral 786

    AoE · Crit 21% / 2.5× · Status 35% · Fire Rate 0.83 · Falloff 0–4.9m (−50%)

  • Charged Throw Recall Explosion

    Viral 1572

    AoE · Crit 21% / 2.5× · Status 35% · Fire Rate 0.83 · Falloff 0–4.9m (−0%)

  • Slam Attack

    Viral 524

    AoE · Crit 15% / 2.1× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 0.67 · Falloff 0–5m (−50%)

  • Heavy Slam Attack

    Viral 786

    AoE · Crit 15% / 2.1× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 0.67 · Falloff 0–6m (−30%)

Attack Notes

  • Normal Attack: Impact 57.0, Slash 61.0, Puncture 55.0.
  • Throw (Thrown): Impact 49.0, Slash 78.0, Puncture 43.0.
  • Throw Bounce Explosion (AoE): Viral 393.0.

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 1.35.

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

Acquisition

Blueprint / parts commonly listed from sources like Zealoid Prelate. Full drop rows are in How to Get below.

How to Get

SourceDrop rate
  • Zealoid Prelate33.33%

Crafting

Build
Credits
30,000
Time
24h 0m
Rush
25 Plat
Blade×2Blueprint×1Neurodes×5Subcortex×1
Total resources
Blade×2Blueprint×1Neurodes×5Subcortex×1
Credits
30,000
Time
1d
Rush
25 Plat

Alternatives

Other options if Pathocyst isn’t the right fit.

  • Ack & Brunt

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

  • Amanata

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