Build it. Three arrows per shot at 35 percent crit and 30 percent status, with an alternate fire that flips the spread vertical, and it is permanently unvaulted. The weakness is the spread itself: it is a close and mid range bow, not a sniper.
Fires three arrows per shot in a horizontal spread, with an Alternate Fire mode for a vertical spread. Deals 50% bonus damage on headshots. On kill, bodies follow the arrow, damaging enemies and pinning corpses.
The Cernos Prime is a unique Prime bow that distinguishes itself with an innate multishot of three arrows per shot. It offers both horizontal and vertical spread firing modes, providing tactical flexibility in combat.
This weapon boasts a high critical chance and status chance, making it a versatile choice for various builds. Its primary damage type is Impact, and it benefits from a 50% bonus damage on headshots, encouraging precise aim.
Released alongside Valkyr Prime and Venka Prime, the Cernos Prime has undergone several reworks, notably increasing its status chance and charge speed, making it a more viable option in later game content.
How to get the Cernos Prime
- The Cernos Prime is dropping right now. Its relics are in the mission drop tables:
- Grip: Axi S8 (dropping now).
- String: Axi V10 (dropping now).
- Lower Limb: Lith C7 (dropping now; the rare slot in Lith C7).
- Blueprint: Neo V9 (dropping now).
- Upper Limb: Meso N11 (dropping now).
- Run the fissure tier that matches each relic, refine the rare part’s relic to Radiant, and pick the best of the four results with a squad.
- Build the parts, then the weapon: 12 hours each, or rush with platinum.
Check the Relic finder for live odds per refinement; the set price on this page is what the built set trades for on warframe.market.
Stats
| Class | Primary |
|---|---|
| Mastery Rank | 12 |
| Trigger | CHARGE |
| Noise | Silent |
| Fire Rate | 1 |
| Accuracy | 16.7 |
| Magazine | 1 |
| Reload | 0.65 s |
| Multishot | 3 |
| Critical Chance | 35% |
| Critical Multiplier | 2x |
| Status Chance | 30% |
| Set Price | 59p on warframe.market (48h average) |
| Riven Disposition | (1.25) |
| Damage | 184 total |
|---|---|
| Impact | 165.6 |
| Puncture | 9.2 |
| Slash | 9.2 |
The Cernos Prime has a high riven disposition of 1.25, allowing rivens to significantly boost its performance. This makes it a strong candidate for players looking to invest in a powerful custom mod.
Builds
Crit with Hunter Munitions: Point Strike and Vital Sense on the 35 percent base, Split Chamber on top of the innate three arrows, Malignant Force and Primed Cryo Rounds for Viral, Vile Acceleration because fire rate mods count double on bows.
Rifle
Rifle
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SET: PRIMARY
Rifle
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Rifle
| Mod | Why it’s here |
|---|---|
| Serration | +165% Damage |
| Split Chamber | +90% Multishot |
| Point Strike | +150% Critical Chance |
| Vital Sense | +120% Critical Damage |
| Hunter Munitions | +30% chance to apply on Critical |
| Vile Acceleration | +90% Fire Rate (x2 for Bows); -15% Damage |
| Malignant Force | +60% Toxin; +60% Status Chance |
| Primed Cryo Rounds | +165% Cold |
Primary Merciless is the pick: stacking damage on kills with faster reloads. Primary Deadhead if you land headshots. Primary Crux, from The Hex, is the cheap start.
Reviewed September 2026.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High critical chance and status chance.
- Innate multishot of three arrows per shot.
- Versatile horizontal and vertical firing modes.
- 50% bonus damage on headshots.
- Fire rate mods apply double their bonuses.
Cons
- Very wide spread can make precision difficult.
- Primarily deals Impact damage, which is less effective against armored targets.
- Ammo pickup is reduced due to an override.
The Cernos Prime offers a unique bow experience with its spread shot mechanics and versatile firing modes. While its wide spread can be a challenge, its high critical and status chances, combined with innate multishot, allow for powerful hybrid builds. Players who enjoy bows with distinct playstyles will find the Cernos Prime a rewarding weapon to master.