How to Mod

Build for the abilities you use

There is no universal "just stack Strength" build. A nuke frame, a gun platform, a support, and a tank all want different mixes of Strength, Duration, Range, and Efficiency. Read the kit first: which abilities do you press every fight, and which stats make those abilities good?

• Spam / energy hungry: Efficiency first (and Duration if you need uptime on buffs or channels). Strength comes after you can cast freely.
• Scales with Strength: Strength first, then enough Efficiency and Duration so you are not dry mid-fight.
• CC / zones / auras: Range and Duration often matter more than raw Strength.
• Weapon platform: survivability, utility, and buffs that help your guns. Take Strength only where the buff actually scales with it.

The four ability stats

• Strength - how hard abilities hit, how strong buffs are, and similar numbers. Not every ability scales with it. Check the ability.
• Duration - how long buffs, debuffs, CC, and channeled effects last. Dumping Duration on a frame that needs uptime is a classic self-own.
• Range - how far abilities reach and how large zones are. Too little feels broken. Too much can be wasted capacity.
• Efficiency - energy cost reduction. Soft caps around 175%. Past that, more Efficiency does nothing useful.

Aura, Exilus, and extras

• Aura: squad effect plus capacity. Matching polarity can add capacity, so pick something useful for the content and your budget.
• Exilus: utility slot (movement, drag, stealth angle, QoL). Needs an Exilus Adapter. Keep core power mods in the main eight when they belong there.
• Augments / Helminth: changing the kit can change which stats you need. Rebuild after you swap, not before.
• Archon Shards: use them to patch gaps after the mod grid is honest (more Duration, Strength, energy, etc.).

Stay alive

Dead frames deal zero damage. Armor, Adaptation-style layers, shield tools, and healing are not "noob mods." They are what let a fancy Strength build stay in the fight. On the flip side, a pure tank with no energy economy may never cast. Balance for the content you run.