Theorylytics
Pandero

Pandero

Crit Secondary

Octavia's pistol hammers foes with single shots or a rapid volley of bullets. When wielded by Octavia, alt-fire Headshot Kills increase Reload Speed.

Role
Crit Secondary
Polarities
None
Exilus
ExilusMaduraiMadurai
Mastery
8
Disposition
1.2
Introduced
Update 20.0 (2017-03-24)

Stats

Ordnance Telemetry

PistolSemiAlarmingSecondary

Damage

72.0

Crit

30.0%

Crit Mult

2.8x

Status

10.0%

Damage Composition

72.0 total

Impact
18.0
Puncture
36.0
Slash
18.0
Fire Rate
3.0
Magazine
8
Reload
1.0s
Accuracy
16.0
Disposition1.2
NoneExilus Madurai
  • Multishot1.0
  • Mastery8
  • IntroducedUpdate 20.0 (2017-03-24)
  • Market190 Platinum
  • Build Cost20,000 Credits
  • Build Time12h 0m
  • Rush35 Platinum

Weapon dossier

Verified 2026-07-23

Playstyle

Octavia's pistol hammers foes with single shots or a rapid volley of bullets. Built as a crit secondary option for squad clear and mission pressure.

Signature

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

When to Pick

  • You want a Pistol that fits a crit secondary play pattern.
  • Your loadout needs what Pandero 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 18 · Slash 36 · Puncture 18

    Hit-Scan · Crit 30% / 2.8× · Status 10% · Fire Rate 3

  • Alt-Fire

    Impact 18 · Slash 36 · Puncture 18

    Hit-Scan · Crit 30% / 2.8× · Status 10% · Fire Rate 4.17

Attack Notes

  • Normal Attack (Hit-Scan): Impact 18.0, Slash 36.0, Puncture 18.0.
  • Alt-Fire (Hit-Scan): Impact 18.0, Slash 36.0, Puncture 18.0.

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 1.2.

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

  • Pandero 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 Pandero still clears or enables clear when enemies are dense and overlevelled.
Exterminate / Capture Speed RunsStrongUse Pandero 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 Pandero, then reposition.
Open World / Long SightlinesSituationalLong sightlines favor hitscan/sniper/bow patterns over short falloff or melee.
Solo Boss / Single-TargetSituationalFine if Pandero 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
20,000
Time
12h 0m
Rush
35 Plat
Total resources
Credits
20,000
Time
12h
Rush
35 Plat

Alternatives

Other options if Pandero isn’t the right fit.

  • Pandero Prime

    Prime upgrade in the same line as Pandero — Pandero Prime has higher damage (44%) and higher status (140%). Compare polarities before Forma.

  • Acrid

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

  • Afuris Prime

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