Build it. Knell Prime excels at single-target damage through its unique headshot buff, granting unlimited ammo and scaling criticals. Its primary weakness is the need for consistent weak point hits to maintain its damage output.
Landing a successful Weak Point hit grants the “Death Knell” buff, additively increasing the modded critical multiplier by 0.5x and modded status chance by 20% and stacks up to 3 times, and also increases Ammo Efficiency by 100%. The buff lasts 2 seconds and can be refreshed on subsequent Weak Points.
Knell Prime is the Primed variant of the Knell pistol, offering enhanced Damage, Critical Chance, Critical Multiplier, and Status Chance. It was released alongside Harrow Prime and Scourge Prime.
This weapon’s core mechanic revolves around its ‘Death Knell’ buff, activated by landing weak point hits. This buff provides significant increases to critical multiplier, status chance, and grants unlimited ammo, making it a potent single-target damage dealer.
The weapon primarily deals Puncture damage and is precise at long range due to its scope feature. It can only load one shot at a time, though this is increased to two when used by Harrow or Harrow Prime.
How to get the Knell Prime
- The Knell Prime is vaulted: its relics no longer drop in missions. Open relics you already own, buy them for Aya when Prime Resurgence lists it, or buy the parts for platinum.
- Blueprint: Lith B11, Lith S14, Meso N12, Meso S13, Meso V7 and 3 more (vaulted relics).
- Barrel: Lith K11, Meso K5, Neo K4, Axi K10, Axi K11 and 2 more (vaulted relics; the rare slot in Lith K11, Meso K5).
- Receiver: Lith G6, Lith K10, Meso A3, Meso H4, Meso K4 and 3 more (vaulted relics; the rare slot in Lith K10, Meso K6).
- 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 | Secondary |
|---|---|
| Mastery Rank | 14 |
| Trigger | AUTO |
| Noise | Alarming |
| Fire Rate | 5 |
| Accuracy | 32 |
| Magazine | 1 |
| Reload | 2 s |
| Critical Chance | 40% |
| Critical Multiplier | 2x |
| Status Chance | 10% |
| Set Price | 40p on warframe.market (48h average) |
| Riven Disposition | (0.85) |
| Damage | 180 total |
|---|---|
| Impact | 75.6 |
| Puncture | 82.8 |
| Slash | 21.6 |
Knell Prime has a low riven disposition of 0.85, indicating that Riven mods will provide smaller stat boosts compared to weapons with higher dispositions. This is due to its strong base performance and unique buff mechanic.
Builds
Given its high critical chance and multiplier potential from Death Knell, a critical-focused build is optimal. Multishot is crucial for quickly stacking Death Knell and maximizing damage per shot. Adding viral damage will further enhance its effectiveness against high-health targets.
Pistol
Pistol
Pistol
Pistol
Pistol
Pistol
Pistol
Pistol| Mod | Why it’s here |
|---|---|
| Hornet Strike | +220% Damage |
| Primed Pistol Gambit | +187% Critical Chance |
| Primed Target Cracker | +110% Critical Damage |
| Lethal Torrent | +60% Fire Rate; +60% Multishot |
| Barrel Diffusion | +120% Multishot |
| Pistol Pestilence | +60% Toxin; +60% Status Chance |
| Frostbite | +60% Cold; +60% Status Chance |
| Galvanized Diffusion | +110% Multishot; On Kill: +30% Multishot for 20s. Stacks up to 4x. |
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
- High critical potential with Death Knell buff.
- Unlimited ammo while Death Knell is active.
- Excellent single-target damage.
- Precise at long range with scope.
- Can quickly stack Death Knell with multishot.
Cons
- Requires consistent weak point hits to maintain damage.
- Small magazine size (1 shot, 2 with Harrow).
- Buff duration is short (2 seconds).
- Low base status chance without the buff.
Knell Prime is a powerful secondary weapon for players who can consistently land weak point hits. Its unique Death Knell buff transforms it into a rapid-fire, high-crit machine, making it excellent for taking down high-priority targets. While it demands precision, the reward is substantial damage output and infinite ammunition.