Theorylytics
Knell

Knell

Secondary / Flexible

Ring the death knell. Headshots briefly turn this scoped pistol into a rapid-fire, Critical Damage fiend that uses no ammo. When used by Harrow, Knell has a 2-round mag.

Role
Secondary / Flexible
Polarities
None
Exilus
ExilusMaduraiMadurai
Mastery
10
Disposition
1.25
Introduced
Update 21.0 (2017-06-29)

Stats

Ordnance Telemetry

PistolAutoAlarmingSecondary

Damage

150.0

Crit

20.0%

Crit Mult

1.5x

Status

5.0%

Damage Composition

150.0 total

Impact
63.0
Puncture
18.0
Slash
69.0
Fire Rate
4.0
Magazine
1
Reload
2.0s
Accuracy
32.0
Disposition1.25
NoneExilus Madurai
  • Multishot1.0
  • Mastery10
  • IntroducedUpdate 21.0 (2017-06-29)
  • Market190 Platinum
  • Build Cost15,000 Credits
  • Build Time12h 0m
  • Rush35 Platinum

Weapon dossier

Verified 2026-07-23

Playstyle

Ring the death knell. Built as a secondary / flexible option for squad clear and mission pressure.

Signature

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

When to Pick

  • You want a Pistol that fits a secondary / flexible play pattern.
  • Your loadout needs what Knell 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 63 · Slash 18 · Puncture 69

    Hit-Scan · Crit 20% / 1.5× · Status 5% · Fire Rate 4

Attack Notes

  • Normal Attack (Hit-Scan): Impact 63.0, Slash 18.0, Puncture 69.0.

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 1.25.

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

  • Knell PrimeVariant

    The primed version — stronger stats and usually better polarities.

    Upgrade path when relics/parts are available.

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 Knell still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled.
Exterminate / Capture Speed RunsStrongUse Knell 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 Knell, then reposition.
Open World / Long SightlinesSituationalLong sightlines favor hitscan/sniper/bow patterns over short falloff or melee.
Solo Boss / Single-TargetSituationalFine if Knell 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
15,000
Time
12h 0m
Rush
35 Plat
Total resources
Credits
15,000
Time
12h
Rush
35 Plat

Alternatives

Other options if Knell isn’t the right fit.

  • Knell Prime

    Prime upgrade in the same line as Knell — Knell Prime has higher damage (20%) and higher crit (100%). Compare polarities before Forma.

  • Acrid

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

  • Afuris Prime

    Another Pistol if you want more status than Knell (Afuris Prime: 30.0%).