Understand Epitaph Prime
Useful when…
- Use charged shots for aimed hits where its listed 50% attack critical chance and 3× critical multiplier matter.
- Use uncharged shots when the 50% status chance or small blast radius is more useful than the charged shot’s critical profile.
- Consider it for Sevagoth Prime when taking advantage of the signature headshot bonus.
How do its firing modes differ?
The charged shot takes 0.4 seconds to charge and launches a fast projectile. Its attack entry lists 50% critical chance, a 3× critical multiplier, and 14% status chance; its damage is Impact, Puncture, and Slash. The uncharged direct hit is a slower projectile with 4% critical chance, a 1.8× multiplier, and 50% status chance. The same uncharged shot also has an AoE component: 30 Blast damage, with 80% reduction by 10 metres. These are separate attack components, so do not treat the charged and uncharged profiles as interchangeable.
When does the signature bonus apply?
The weapon is a Secondary pistol with a 1-round magazine and a 0.6-second reload. Its description grants additional headshot damage when wielded by Sevagoth Prime; the amount is not specified here. That conditional bonus makes deliberate headshots a sensible use for him, while other Warframes should judge the pistol by its two firing modes instead.
What should you compare it with?
The base Epitaph is also a charged wrist pistol: its description emphasizes a chilling, slowing uncharged shot and a high-critical charged shot that punches through barriers. Velox instead is described as a high-rate-of-fire sidearm with ammo efficiency and a rapid reload when emptied. Hystrix offers selectable elemental quills.
Limitations and tradeoffs
- Charged shots require a 0.4-second charge; uncharged shots trade critical performance for higher status chance.
- The uncharged AoE has a short listed range and substantial falloff.
- Sevagoth Prime’s extra headshot damage is conditional; no bonus amount is provided.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not apply the uncharged shot’s 50% status chance to the charged shot; its listed status chance is 14%.
- Do not assume the Sevagoth Prime headshot bonus applies to other Warframes.