Build it for the Incarnon, not for the base gun. The base Cestra spools up into a fast but weak Corpus pistol; the Incarnon Genesis adapter turns it into a real status sidearm with a 1.52 disposition that makes any Riven strong.
Requires a spool-up of 6 shots before optimal fire rate is achieved. Fire rate starts at 60% of the listed value, and increases by 8% per shot. It takes an Incarnon Genesis adapter from the Steel Path Circuit, which is where most of its 2026 power comes from.
The Cestra is a Corpus-built sidearm, introduced in Update 11. It is a scaled-down version of the Supra, sharing its spool-up mechanic.
This weapon deals primarily Puncture damage and boasts very high accuracy, though this is offset by projectile travel time and significant recoil when fully spooled.
The Cestra requires a brief spooling period before reaching its maximum fire rate, starting at 60% and increasing by 8% per shot over 6 shots. It also has poor ammo economy.
How to get the Cestra
- Purchase the blueprint from the Market for 20,000 credits.
- Acquire from completing the Jupiter to Europa Junction.
- Purchase the built version for 175 platinum from the Market (comes with an installed catalyst).
- Obtain the Cestra Incarnon Genesis from The Steel Path Circuit after completing The Duviri Paradox and Angels of the Zariman, and unlocking The Steel Path.
The Cestra is a requisite weapon for crafting the Dual Cestra.
Stats
| Class | Secondary |
|---|---|
| Mastery Rank | 4 |
| Trigger | AUTO |
| Noise | Alarming |
| Fire Rate | 8.33 |
| Accuracy | 33.3 |
| Magazine | 60 |
| Reload | 2 s |
| Critical Chance | 6% |
| Critical Multiplier | 1.6x |
| Status Chance | 20% |
| Riven Disposition | (1.52) |
| Damage | 26 total |
|---|---|
| Impact | 5.2 |
| Puncture | 20.8 |
The Cestra has a very high riven disposition of 1.52, which can significantly boost its stats to compensate for its low base critical chance and critical damage.
Builds
Status: Galvanized Shot turns stacked procs into direct damage, three dual-stat elementals give it Viral plus Heat, and multishot from Barrel Diffusion, Lethal Torrent and Galvanized Diffusion multiplies the procs. The Incarnon form supplies the damage.
Pistol
Pistol
Pistol
Pistol
Pistol
Pistol
Pistol
Pistol| Mod | Why it’s here |
|---|---|
| Hornet Strike | +220% Damage |
| Barrel Diffusion | +120% Multishot |
| Lethal Torrent | +60% Fire Rate; +60% Multishot |
| Galvanized Diffusion | +110% Multishot; On Kill: +30% Multishot for 20s. Stacks up to 4x. |
| Galvanized Shot | +80% Status Chance; On Kill: +40% Direct Damage per Status Type affecting the target for 14s. Stacks up to 3x. |
| Pistol Pestilence | +60% Toxin; +60% Status Chance |
| Frostbite | +60% Cold; +60% Status Chance |
| Scorch | +60% Heat; +60% Status Chance |
Secondary Merciless is the pick: stacking damage on kills with faster reloads. Secondary Encumber for a status build (a chance at a second random proc), Secondary Deadhead if you land headshots.
Reviewed September 2026.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very high accuracy
- High fire rate once spooled up
- High status chance
- Has an Incarnon Genesis form
- Very high Riven disposition
Cons
- Projectile travel time
- Requires a spool-up period
- Poor ammo economy
- High recoil when fully spooled
The Cestra is an early-game Corpus secondary with a unique spool-up mechanic. While its Incarnon form offers a significant power boost, the base weapon struggles with low critical stats, projectile travel time, and ammo consumption. It can be a fun weapon to experiment with, especially with a strong Riven, but it requires dedicated modding to overcome its inherent weaknesses.