Theorylytics
Cernos Prime

Cernos Prime

Bow / Projectile Precision

A noble bow to hunt hellish beasts.

Role
Bow / Projectile Precision
Polarities
MaduraiMaduraiMaduraiMadurai
Exilus
ExilusNaramonNaramon
Mastery
12
Disposition
1.25
Introduced
Hotfix 19.0.7 (2016-11-22)

Stats

Ordnance Telemetry

BowChargeSilentPrimary

Damage

184.0

Crit

35.0%

Crit Mult

2.0x

Status

30.0%

Damage Composition

184.0 total

Impact
165.6
Puncture
9.2
Slash
9.2
Fire Rate
1.0
Magazine
1
Reload
0.65s
Accuracy
16.7
Disposition1.25
MaduraiMaduraiExilus Naramon
  • Multishot3.0
  • Mastery12
  • IntroducedHotfix 19.0.7 (2016-11-22)
  • Build Cost15,000 Credits
  • Build Time12h 0m
  • Rush50 Platinum

Weapon dossier

Verified 2026-07-23

Playstyle

A noble bow to hunt hellish beasts. Built as a bow / projectile precision option for squad clear and mission pressure.

Signature

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

When to Pick

  • You want a Bow that fits a bow / projectile precision play pattern.
  • Your loadout needs what Cernos 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

  • Uncharged Horizontal/Vertical Shot

    Impact 82.8 · Slash 4.6 · Puncture 4.6

    Projectile · Crit 35% / 2× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 1 · Projectile 70

  • Charged Horizontal/Vertical Shot

    Impact 165.6 · Slash 9.2 · Puncture 9.2

    Projectile · Crit 35% / 2× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 1 · Projectile 95

Attack Notes

  • Uncharged Horizontal/Vertical Shot (Projectile): Impact 82.8, Slash 4.6, Puncture 4.6.
  • Charged Horizontal/Vertical Shot (Projectile): Impact 165.6, Slash 9.2, Puncture 9.2.

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.

  • Exilus Weapon AdapterSlot

    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.

  • Primary 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 1.25.

    Chase clean desirable stats; skip awkward negatives on low-disposition weapons.

  • CernosVariant

    The standard version of this weapon — easier to farm, softer stats.

    Use when you don’t want to chase Prime relics yet.

Mod Scaling

Multishot

Usually the highest value damage slot — more projectiles, more procs, more clear.

Critical

Stack crit chance/damage when the weapon’s crit stats justify a crit suite.

Elemental

Faction/elemental lines for Steel Path; Viral+Heat is a safe default on many guns.

Fire Rate

Fire rate raises DPS but burns ammo — pair with reload/ammo economy when needed.

Priority

Multishot → Crit (if crit-viable) → Elemental → QoL ammo/reload.

Mission Usefulness

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

Acquisition

Blueprint / parts commonly listed from sources like Axi B1 Relic. Full drop rows are in How to Get below.

How to Get

SourceDrop rate
  • Axi B1 Relic11.00%
  • Axi V4 Relic11.00%
  • Lith A2 Relic11.00%
  • Lith Z1 Relic11.00%
  • Neo S13 Relic11.00%
  • Neo V7 Relic11.00%
  • Neo V9 Relic11.00%

Crafting

Build
Credits
15,000
Time
12h 0m
Rush
50 Plat
Blueprint×1Grip×1Lower Limb×1String×1Upper Limb×1
Total resources
Blueprint×1Grip×1Lower Limb×1String×1Upper Limb×1
Credits
15,000
Time
12h
Rush
50 Plat

Alternatives

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

  • Cernos

    Related variant in the same weapon line as Cernos Prime — Cernos has higher damage (107%) and lower status (40%). Compare polarities before Forma.

  • Cinta

    Another Bow if you want less crit than Cernos Prime (Cinta: 20.0%).

  • Daikyu

    Another Bow if you want more status than Cernos Prime (Daikyu: 46.0%).