Banshee is the sound character in Warframe. Many players think that she needs a buff, but that is because they don't understand how to work her properly. Banshee can be extremely powerful when built correctly. Her abilities all focus on sound waves and cause massive damage in certain circumstances.
Banshee has the potential to be both a DPS character and a stealth character. Players should keep this in mind when using Banshee to maximize their potential. Banshee can also take up the role of support if built correctly. First, players just need to understand how she operates.
How To Obtain Banshee
To obtain Banshee, players will first need to get access to a dojo. Dojos are where clans operate in the game. Think of them as a private sector that only clan members can access. Dojos can be upgraded with research labs that allow them to research new Warframes and weapons. Players can either join a clan or start their own.
Once they have access to the Tenno Research Lab, they can research the blueprints for Banshee's various parts. If a player doesn't want to go through all the hassle of waiting on research and taking the time to join or start a clan, they can always purchase Banshee from the market for 225 platinum.
Sonic Boom
Banshee's first ability, Sonic Boom, is not utilized by many players but is useful for clearing enemies. This ability sends out a wave of sonic force that damages enemies and sends them flying. The greater the range and strength of this ability, the farther the enemies will fly. It can knock over most enemies in the game and makes them vulnerable to attack as they try to scramble back to their feet.
This ability can be augmented with the Sonic Fracture card which makes it decrease the armor of enemies it hits.
Sonar
Used mostly in stealth missions, Banshee's second ability, Sonar, uses acoustic location to track enemies. This ability also exposes the weak spots of each enemy to everyone in the squad. Of course, this ability also adds bonus damage when attacking an enemy's weak spot.
This ability can be augmented with the Resonance card. This card allows Sonar to be reactivated for 100% of the remaining duration if an enemy is killed using its weak spot. This card can keep Banshee's Sonar ability active for an incredibly long amount of time if enemies are constantly killed.
Silence
Silence is an ability that was created for stealth missions. This ability stuns enemies and limits their perception and tactical response to gunfire. This ability basically makes it so enemies cannot detect Banshee even when using loud weapons like the Soma.
While this ability is active, Banshee can also perform finishers that are more lethal. The augment, Savage Silence, increases the finisher damage by 300% while Silence is active.
Sound Quake
Sound Quake, Banshee's most powerful ability for attacking, sends sonic shockwaves rippling through the ground in a radius around her. These shockwaves topple foes who get hit by them and also deal substantial damage. This ability is extremely viable in defense missions thanks to its knockback. It can quickly stagger lock foes into submission.
Using the augment card Resonating Quake will make the ability 20 times more powerful and weaken as it expands outward. This card also makes the area of effect gradually grow over time while also consuming more energy.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Banshee's greatest strength is her ability to aid allies and remain stealthy. She is great for spy missions thanks to her ability to silence her movements. Banshee's passive ability silences all of her weapons, making it so that she can easily dispatch enemies without them being alerted.
Her main weakness is taking out large groups of enemies. While she has an ability that stuns and harms foes, it should only be used during certain circumstances.
How To Build Banshee
Banshee can be built as a defensive character if a player focuses on her Sound Quake ability. Maximizing Banshee's energy will help prolong the effects of Sound Quake and allow it to last longer. Using a build that maximizes the efficiency of this ability is helpful during defense missions to keep enemies at bay and prevent them from reaching the objective.
Players looking to get a more well-rounded Banshee build can focus on her Silence and Sonar abilities. Increasing duration, strength, and range will further the capabilities of these two abilities. Focusing on these abilities will require a combination of both ranged and melee attacks to help take enemies down.