Understand Viral Tempest
Useful when…
- Adding Viral Status chances to Tempest Barrage projectiles.
- Using a standard Hydroid mod slot for the augment when that ability effect fits the build.
Effect and ranks
At rank 0, each Tempest Barrage projectile has a 60% chance to inflict a Viral Status Effect. The chance is 80% at rank 2 and 100% at rank 3. This applies per projectile, not as a statement about a guaranteed status result from every other Hydroid ability.
Slot and ranking
Viral Tempest is a Rare standard Hydroid mod with Zenurik polarity, 6 base drain, and maximum rank 3. The example cost for rank 2 to 3 is 120 Endo and 5,796 Credits. Ranking raises the per-projectile chance from 60% to 100%; weigh that improvement against the slot and upgrade cost.
Other Hydroid augments address different abilities
Pilfering Swarm concerns additional drops from enemies held by Tentacle Swarm; Tidal Impunity clears Status Effects and grants immunity through Tidal Surge; Rousing Plunder adds Corrosive Damage and Armor to Plunder and heals nearby allies. These serve different ability purposes, so they are not direct substitutes for Tempest Barrage's Viral Status chance.
Limitations and tradeoffs
- It uses a standard mod slot and has 6 base drain.
- Its effect applies to Tempest Barrage projectiles specifically.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the augment applies to all of Hydroid's abilities.
- Reading 100% per projectile as a guarantee that every target is affected.