Theorylytics
Despair

Despair

Secondary / Flexible

Used by The Stalker, Despair throwing blades have a mono-filament edge, sharp enough to penetrate a Warframe.

Role
Secondary / Flexible
Polarities
MaduraiMaduraiMaduraiMadurai
Exilus
ExilusNaramonNaramon
Mastery
4
Disposition
1.3
Introduced
Update 8.0 (2013-05-23)

Stats

Ordnance Telemetry

ThrowingAutoSilentSecondary

Damage

58.0

Crit

16.0%

Crit Mult

1.6x

Status

16.0%

Damage Composition

58.0 total

Impact
2.9
Puncture
8.7
Slash
46.4
Fire Rate
3.33
Magazine
10
Reload
0.75s
Accuracy
100.0
Disposition1.3
MaduraiMaduraiExilus Naramon
  • Multishot1.0
  • Mastery4
  • IntroducedUpdate 8.0 (2013-05-23)
  • Build Cost15,000 Credits
  • Build Time12h 0m
  • Rush50 Platinum

Weapon dossier

Verified 2026-07-23

Playstyle

Used by The Stalker, Despair throwing blades have a mono-filament edge, sharp enough to penetrate a Warframe. Built as a secondary / flexible option for squad clear and mission pressure.

Signature

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

When to Pick

  • You want a Throwing that fits a secondary / flexible play pattern.
  • Your loadout needs what Despair 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 2.9 · Slash 8.7 · Puncture 46.4

    Projectile · Crit 16% / 1.6× · Status 16% · Fire Rate 3.33 · Projectile 70

  • Incarnon Form

    Impact 3 · Slash 9 · Puncture 48

    Projectile · Crit 30% / 3× · Status 20% · Fire Rate 3 · Projectile 0

  • Incarnon Form Radial Attack

    Heat 160

    AoE · Crit 30% / 3× · Status 30% · Fire Rate 3 · Falloff 0–4m (−20%)

Attack Notes

  • Normal Attack (Projectile): Impact 2.9, Slash 8.7, Puncture 46.4.
  • Incarnon Form (Projectile): Impact 3.0, Slash 9.0, Puncture 48.0.
  • Incarnon Form Radial Attack (AoE): Heat 160.0.

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.

  • 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.

  • Secondary 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 1.3.

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

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

Acquisition

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

How to Get

SourceDrop rate
  • Hunhow5.87%
  • Protector Stalker5.87%
  • Shadow Stalker5.87%
  • Stalker5.87%

Crafting

Build
Credits
15,000
Time
12h 0m
Rush
50 Plat
Total resources
Credits
15,000
Time
12h
Rush
50 Plat

Alternatives

Other options if Despair isn’t the right fit.

  • Aegrit

    Another Throwing if you want more crit than Despair (Aegrit: 37.0%).

  • Cantare

    Another Throwing option if Despair’s handling or acquisition doesn’t fit your farm.