Theorylytics
Hystrix Prime

Hystrix Prime

Crit Secondary

Versatile weapons complement deadly hunters. Khora Prime’s signature pistol rotates through hot, cold, electric, and toxic quills. When equipped on Khora, Hystrix Prime has a chance to instantly reload after headshots.

Role
Crit Secondary
Polarities
MaduraiMaduraiMaduraiMadurai
Exilus
ExilusNaramonNaramon
Mastery
12
Disposition
1.0
Introduced
Update 31.7 (2022-07-16)

Stats

Ordnance Telemetry

PistolAutoAlarmingSecondary

Damage

46.0

Crit

28.0%

Crit Mult

2.2x

Status

20.0%

Damage Composition

46.0 total

Impact
2.8
Puncture
3.7
Slash
39.6
Fire Rate
7.0
Magazine
16
Reload
1.6s
Accuracy
14.3
Disposition1.0
MaduraiMaduraiExilus Naramon
  • Multishot1.0
  • Mastery12
  • IntroducedUpdate 31.7 (2022-07-16)
  • Build Cost15,000 Credits
  • Build Time12h 0m
  • Rush50 Platinum

Weapon dossier

Verified 2026-07-23

Playstyle

Versatile weapons complement deadly hunters. Built as a crit secondary option for squad clear and mission pressure.

Signature

Khora Prime’s signature weapon — expect a small bonus when used by that Warframe. Khora Prime

When to Pick

  • You want a Pistol that fits a crit secondary play pattern.
  • Your loadout needs what Hystrix 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

  • Poison Quill

    Impact 2.8 · Slash 3.7 · Puncture 39.6

    Projectile · Crit 28% / 2.2× · Status 20% · Fire Rate 7 · Projectile 80

  • Fire Quill

    Impact 2.8 · Slash 3.7 · Puncture 39.6

    Projectile · Crit 28% / 2.2× · Status 20% · Fire Rate 7 · Projectile 80

  • Electric Quill

    Impact 2.8 · Slash 3.7 · Puncture 39.6

    Projectile · Crit 28% / 2.2× · Status 20% · Fire Rate 7 · Projectile 80

  • Ice Quill

    Impact 2.8 · Slash 3.7 · Puncture 39.6

    Projectile · Crit 28% / 2.2× · Status 20% · Fire Rate 7 · Projectile 80

Attack Notes

  • Poison Quill (Projectile): Impact 2.8, Slash 3.7, Puncture 39.6.
  • Fire Quill (Projectile): Impact 2.8, Slash 3.7, Puncture 39.6.
  • Electric Quill (Projectile): Impact 2.8, Slash 3.7, Puncture 39.6.

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.

  • 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 1.0.

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

  • HystrixVariant

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

Acquisition

Blueprint / parts commonly listed from sources like Axi B7 Relic. Full drop rows are in How to Get below.

How to Get

SourceDrop rate
  • Axi B7 Relic11.00%
  • Axi G10 Relic11.00%
  • Axi K9 Relic11.00%
  • Neo C5 Relic11.00%
  • Neo K6 Relic11.00%

Crafting

Build
Credits
15,000
Time
12h 0m
Rush
50 Plat
Barrel×1Blueprint×1Orokin Cell×10Receiver×1
Total resources
Barrel×1Blueprint×1Orokin Cell×10Receiver×1
Credits
15,000
Time
12h
Rush
50 Plat

Alternatives

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

  • Hystrix

    Related variant in the same weapon line as Hystrix Prime — Hystrix has lower damage (22%) and lower crit (14%). Compare polarities before Forma.

  • Acrid

    Another Pistol if you want less crit than Hystrix Prime (Acrid: 5.0%).

  • Afuris Prime

    Another Pistol if you want less crit than Hystrix Prime (Afuris Prime: 16.0%).