A Prime Lavos build in Warframe

Lavos Prime is now available, and if you’re looking for a build to tackle the content in Warframe with this alchemist, this guide will provide a comprehensive setup including mods, subsumed abilities, Archon Shards, and weapon recommendations.

This guide is geared towards late-game Warframe, featuring mods and setups that may require completion of the Whispers in the Walls quest.

This build transforms Lavos into a potent weapons platform. While his abilities offer status effects and utility, this build amplifies the power of Galvanized mods and Condition Overload.

Here’s a mod setup for Lavos Prime:

Step 1: Aura: Corrosive Projection

Step 2: Exilus: Sure Footed

Step 3: Mods:

  • Catalyzing Shields.

  • Augur Reach.

  • Rolling Guard.

  • Fortitude.

  • Stretch.

  • Fast Deflection.

  • Vigilante Vigor.

  • Streamline.

Step 4: Arcanes:

  • Arcane Aegis.

  • The second Arcane slot is flexible, adapt it to your playstyle.

This configuration prioritizes shield-recharging mods and Catalyzing Shields to leverage shield gating. It remains effective even after shield gating nerfs.

Sufficient range and efficiency are necessary for ability synergy with Transmutation Probe, ensuring abilities connect with more enemies and can be cast frequently.

Best Subsume Abilities for Lavos Prime

For this build, replacing Vial Rush is recommended, as it can disrupt the build’s flow.

Wyrd Scythes

This ability functions as a Viral damage version of Catalyze, priming enemies with guaranteed elemental procs. As Vial Rush is removed, this serves as a viable alternative.

Lycath’s Hunt

If you prefer weapons with multiple elemental damage types, this is an excellent choice.

Nourish

Nourish is always a strong pick. It adds Viral damage to your weapons and provides occasional AoE bursts.

Best Archon Shards for Lavos Prime

Given Lavos’ role as a weapons platform and elementalist in this build, consider the following Archon Shard options. Customize them to match your preferred playstyle:

Step 1: Crimson: All embed bonuses.

Step 2: Amber: Casting Speed.

Step 3: Emerald: Increase max stacks of Corrosive Status by +2 (+3 Tauforged).

Step 4: Topaz: Increase Secondary Critical Chance by 1% (1.5% Tauforged) every time you kill an enemy affected by Heat status.

Step 5: Violet: Gain 30% (45% Tauforged) Primary Electricity Damage.

Best Weapons for Lavos Prime

These weapons excel at inflicting multiple status effects and benefit significantly from elemental damage stacking:

  • Acceltra (Prime).

  • Alternox.

  • Amprex.

  • Arca Plasmor (Tenet).

  • Astilla (Prime).

  • Basmu.

  • Bubonico.

  • Cedo (Prime).

  • Cinta.

  • Corinth (Prime).

  • Felarx.

  • Tenet Glaxion.

  • Fulmin (Prime).

  • Gotva Prime.

  • Higasa.

  • Ignis Wraith.

  • Lenz (Prisma).

  • Phage.

  • Phantasma (Prime).

  • Shedu.

  • Synapse.

  • Tenet Flux Rifle.

  • Torid.

  • Trumna (Prime).

  • Akarius (Prime).

  • Atomos.

  • Tenet Cycron.

  • Epitaph (Prime).

  • Grimoire.

  • Laetum.

  • Ocucor.

  • Plinx (Tenet).

  • Spectra Vandal.

  • Staticor.

  • Any melee weapon with a status chance above 20%.

Lavos Prime Build Playstyle

This Lavos Prime build demands strategic ability timing, positioning, and survivability.

Step 1: Manage Shield Gating. You can withstand a substantial amount of damage before Shield Gating fails.

Step 2: Use Rolling Guard. When your shield stops recharging, or your health bar turns gray, dodge roll immediately after the Shield Gate expires to trigger Rolling Guard’s invincibility, resetting the Shield Gating recharge loop.

Step 3: Cycle Abilities. Cycle your abilities to apply unique status effects, casting Transmutation Probe last to significantly reduce ability cooldowns in a crowd.

Step 4: Spread Status. Spreading status effects amplifies damage against enemies with Galvanized Savvy, Galvanized Shot, or Condition Overload.

This build balances survivability and elemental spreading, making it suitable for both solo and group play, leaning towards a support role.


By combining survivability with elemental manipulation, this build makes Lavos Prime a force to be reckoned with in any mission.