Does Excalibur Umbra Use Ammo? The Definitive Guide
No, Excalibur Umbra does not consume ammo when using equipped weapons. He can unleash a torrent of bullets, lasers, or any other projectile without depleting your precious ammo reserves. Similarly, when casting his abilities, Umbra does not consume energy. This makes him a powerful and self-sufficient Warframe, able to handle a wide range of combat situations.
Excalibur Umbra: The Sentient Warrior
Excalibur Umbra is more than just another Warframe; he’s a unique and powerful entity with a compelling backstory revealed in “The Sacrifice” quest. Unlike other Warframes, Umbra possesses a degree of sentience, allowing him to act independently when the player is in Operator mode. He will fight, use abilities, and defend himself, making him a valuable ally even when you’re not directly controlling him. This independent behavior mimics that of a Specter or Wukong’s Celestial Twin, providing consistent support. Understanding his unique attributes is crucial to maximizing his potential.
Unleashing Umbra’s Potential
Umbra’s design philosophy is centered around aggressive melee combat, particularly with his signature Nikana, the Skiajati. While he can utilize any weapon you equip, he will automatically switch to his melee weapon when enemies get within 3 meters. This encourages a close-quarters playstyle and synergizes well with his passive abilities and mods. To truly unlock his potential, understanding how he interacts with mods, weapons, and even his own sentience is key.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Excalibur Umbra
Here are some of the most common questions regarding Excalibur Umbra, answered in detail to help you master this exceptional Warframe:
1. Is Excalibur Umbra Better Than Excalibur Prime?
In terms of base stats, Excalibur Umbra and Excalibur Prime are identical. However, Umbra comes pre-equipped with Umbral polarities, which significantly impact modding potential. These polarities allow for the efficient use of Umbral mods, which offer substantial stat boosts. While Prime has access to golden trim and exclusivity as a Founder’s item, many consider Umbra a direct upgrade due to his inherent modding advantages.
2. Can Excalibur Umbra Use Excalibur Skins?
Yes, Excalibur Umbra can use most Excalibur skins. This allows you to customize his appearance to your liking. However, one notable exception is that the scarf cannot be removed or toggled off. This scarf is part of Umbra’s unique lore and visual design.
3. Does Excalibur Umbra Prime Exist?
Interestingly, Excalibur Umbra essentially is the Excalibur Umbra Prime model. This version was introduced to bypass legal restrictions associated with Excalibur Prime in certain regions, notably China. So, while there isn’t a formally named “Excalibur Umbra Prime,” Umbra himself fulfills that role.
4. Can Excalibur Umbra Go Invisible?
Excalibur Umbra himself doesn’t have an invisibility ability. However, his signature Nikana, the Skiajati, grants invisibility on finisher attacks. This provides a tactical advantage, allowing you to reposition or escape danger after performing a finisher move. Remember, the Skiajati cannot be sold, making it a unique and valuable asset.
5. Can I Get a Second Excalibur Umbra?
No, you can only obtain one Excalibur Umbra per account. The blueprint is awarded upon completing “The Sacrifice” quest, and repeating the quest will not grant a second blueprint. Furthermore, Cephalon Simaris does not offer Umbra blueprints.
6. Why Does Excalibur Umbra Have a Face?
The exposed face on the Excalibur Umbra Sunder Helmet is a key element of his backstory. It’s a battle-damaged version of the standard Umbra helmet, revealing a portion of his mutated, Infested-like flesh. This serves as a constant reminder of his tragic past as a Dax soldier forced into becoming a Warframe.
7. Is Excalibur Umbra Strong?
Absolutely! Excalibur Umbra is a very powerful Warframe. His unique combination of abilities, modding potential, and sentience makes him a formidable force against a wide range of enemies. With the right build, he can excel in both offense and defense.
8. Does Umbra Take a Warframe Slot?
Yes, Umbra occupies a Warframe slot. While he comes with a free slot upon acquisition, that slot is specifically for him. You won’t receive an extra, unused slot.
9. Does Excalibur’s Passive Work With Nikana?
Yes, Excalibur’s passive ability, which enhances sword-type weapons, does apply to Nikana. Specifically, it affects “Sword,” “Dual Sword,” “Nikana,” “Two-Handed Nikana,” and “Rapier” weapon types. This synergistic relationship makes Nikana a natural choice for Excalibur builds.
10. Can You Remove Excalibur Umbra’s Scarf?
Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to remove or disable Excalibur Umbra’s scarf. The scarf is an integral part of his design and lore, representing his fragmented past and the control imposed upon him.
11. Was Excalibur Umbra a Human?
Yes, “The Sacrifice” quest confirmed that Warframes were originally human beings. Excalibur Umbra is a prime example of this, being a transformed Dax soldier with lingering memories and emotions.
12. Is Umbra a Two-Handed Weapon?
No, Umbra is not a two-handed weapon; he is the Warframe himself. The Skiajati, his signature Nikana, is the melee weapon he often wields. There may be some confusion based on other games with items called “Umbra”, like in Skyrim where it is a Two-Handed Sword.
13. How Do You Get Excalibur Umbra Fast?
You cannot “fast track” acquiring Excalibur Umbra. You must complete the entire main story quest line up to and including “The Sacrifice.” There are no shortcuts or alternative methods.
14. What Makes Umbra Sentient?
Umbra’s sentience stems from his unique creation and his lingering memories as a Dax soldier. Unlike other Warframes, he was not completely stripped of his past identity. This allows him to exhibit independent behavior and react to threats even when the player is not directly controlling him.
15. Are Umbral Mods Exclusive to Umbra?
No, Umbral mods are not exclusive to Umbra, and any Warframe can equip them, however Umbra is specifically designed to benefit from them due to his polarities and stats. While they synergize exceptionally well with Umbra due to his pre-installed Umbral polarities, any Warframe can utilize their stat-boosting benefits. Keep in mind, though, that Umbral mods provide the most significant benefits when used in conjunction with one another within a given Warframe build, and may need you to add forma to use with other warframes.
Mastering Excalibur Umbra: A Final Word
Excalibur Umbra is a complex and rewarding Warframe to master. Understanding his unique abilities, sentience, and modding potential is crucial to unlocking his full power. He rewards a skillful, aggressive playstyle and offers a unique glimpse into the lore of Warframe. For more in-depth discussions about gaming, learning, and Warframe’s complex systems, visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.