Theorylytics
Zhuge Prime

Zhuge Prime

Status Primary / Primer

Tenno artistry. Ancient craft. A weapon of surgical precision and devastating effect. Each bolt fired by Zhuge Prime explodes shortly after embedding.

Role
Status Primary / Primer
Polarities
MaduraiMaduraiMaduraiMaduraiMaduraiMadurai
Exilus
ExilusMaduraiMadurai
Mastery
14
Disposition
1.15
Introduced
Update 25.3 (2019-07-06)

Stats

Ordnance Telemetry

RifleAutoSilentPrimary

Damage

50.0

Crit

26.0%

Crit Mult

2.0x

Status

30.0%

Damage Composition

50.0 total

Impact
10.0
Puncture
17.5
Slash
22.5
Fire Rate
5.5
Magazine
30
Reload
3.0s
Accuracy
40.0
Disposition1.15
MaduraiMaduraiMaduraiExilus Madurai
  • Multishot1.0
  • Mastery14
  • IntroducedUpdate 25.3 (2019-07-06)
  • Build Cost15,000 Credits
  • Build Time12h 0m
  • Rush50 Platinum

Weapon dossier

Verified 2026-07-23

Playstyle

Tenno artistry. Built as a status primary / primer option for squad clear and mission pressure.

Signature

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

When to Pick

  • You want a Rifle that fits a status primary / primer play pattern.
  • Your loadout needs what Zhuge 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

  • Arrow Impact

    Impact 10 · Slash 17.5 · Puncture 22.5

    Projectile · Crit 26% / 2× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 5.5 · Projectile 80

  • Arrow Explosion

    Impact 11.2 · Slash 24.8 · Puncture 4

    AoE · Crit 26% / 2× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 5.5 · Falloff 0–2.6m (−30%)

Attack Notes

  • Arrow Impact (Projectile): Impact 10.0, Slash 17.5, Puncture 22.5.
  • Arrow Explosion (AoE): Impact 11.2, Slash 24.8, Puncture 4.0.

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.

  • 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 1.15.

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

  • ZhugeVariant

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

Acquisition

Blueprint / parts commonly listed from sources like Axi A6 Relic. Full drop rows are in How to Get below.

How to Get

SourceDrop rate
  • Axi A6 Relic11.00%
  • Axi T4 Relic11.00%
  • Axi T9 Relic11.00%
  • Axi Z1 Relic11.00%
  • Lith L1 Relic11.00%
  • Lith T5 Relic11.00%
  • Meso P2 Relic11.00%
  • Neo G2 Relic11.00%

Crafting

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

Alternatives

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

  • Zhuge

    Related variant in the same weapon line as Zhuge Prime — Zhuge has higher damage (100%) and lower crit (23%). Compare polarities before Forma.

  • Acceltra

    Another Rifle if you want less status than Zhuge Prime (Acceltra: 6.0%).

  • Acceltra Prime

    Another Rifle if you want less status than Zhuge Prime (Acceltra Prime: 18.0%).