Theorylytics
Shaku

Shaku

Status Melee / Conditioner

With these blazing fast nunchaku, the enemy will never know what hit them.

Role
Status Melee / Conditioner
Polarities
None
Exilus
Mastery
10
Disposition
1.35
Introduced
Update 18.1 (2015-12-16)

Stats

Ordnance Telemetry

MeleeMelee

Damage

180.0

Crit

18.0%

Crit Mult

2.0x

Status

34.0%

Damage Composition

180.0 total

Impact
180.0
Puncture
0.0
Slash
0.0
Attack Speed
1.17
Range
2.21
Combo
5.0s
Follow Through
0.5
Disposition1.35
None
  • Mastery10
  • IntroducedUpdate 18.1 (2015-12-16)
  • Market180 Platinum
  • Build Cost20,000 Credits
  • Build Time12h 0m
  • Rush35 Platinum

Weapon dossier

Verified 2026-07-23

Playstyle

With these blazing fast nunchaku, the enemy will never know what hit them. Built as a status melee / conditioner option for squad clear and mission pressure.

Signature

Shaku 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 Shaku 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 180

    Crit 18% / 2× · Status 34% · Fire Rate 1.17

  • Slam Attack

    Impact 360

    AoE · Crit 18% / 2× · Status 35% · Fire Rate 1.17 · Falloff 0–6m (−50%)

  • Heavy Slam Attack

    Blast 540

    AoE · Crit 18% / 2× · Status 35% · Fire Rate 1.17 · Falloff 0–7m (−30%)

Attack Notes

  • Normal Attack: Impact 180.0.
  • Slam Attack (AoE): Impact 360.0.
  • Heavy Slam Attack (AoE): Blast 540.0.

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 Shaku still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled.
Exterminate / Capture Speed RunsStrongUse Shaku 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 Shaku, then reposition.
Open World / Long SightlinesSituationalLong sightlines favor hitscan/sniper/bow patterns over short falloff or melee.
Solo Boss / Single-TargetSituationalFine if Shaku 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
20,000
Time
12h 0m
Rush
35 Plat
Total resources
Credits
20,000
Time
12h
Rush
35 Plat

Alternatives

Other options if Shaku isn’t the right fit.

  • Ack & Brunt

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

  • Amanata

    Another Melee if you want less status than Shaku (Amanata: 24.0%).