Overview: Control globs of unstable antimatter to shield yourself, teleport and cause massive explosions, all the while supporting your team with double damage – if this sounds good to you, check out Nova! Part blueprints drop from Raptor on Naamah (Europa) with the main blueprint available for credits in the market.

Prime: The relics containing Nova Prime parts are currently vaulted and thus cannot drop in game. Keep an eye out for “unvaulting” events, ask friends and clanmates if they have any relics with parts or try trading for them in the trade channel.

Special: Nova knocks down and damages nearby enemies when she herself is knocked down.

Pros: Massive damage potential, can force enemies to take double damage, mass enemy slow effect, null star makes you a lot tougher than you’d expect.

Cons: Relies on powers to survive, and long cast animations on some abilities can leave you exposed when poorly timed.

Powers: Use Null Star (1) to generate a halo of (6, but more with a high duration) anti-matter particles that seek out and damage nearby foes – each particle will also grant Nova 5% damage reduction. The Neutron Star augment will let you recast to detonate all the remaining particles as a point-blank area damage effect.

Antimatter Drop (2) conjures a destructive orb that will follow your aiming reticle, absorbing any damage inflicted to the orb in flight and multiplying it before exploding on contact for devastating area-effect radiation damage. When using the Antimatter Absorb augment, the orb generates a magnetic field that attracts nearby projectiles, adding to the total damage and acting as a shield if positioned well.

Wormhole (3) generates a short teleportation portal that affects allies, enemies and gunfire – the exit point is centred on your reticle, and can be used for some interesting tactics. You can also use the Escape Velocity augment to grant allies improved movement speed after teleportation.

Molecular Prime (4) rounds out the kit, emitting a wave of energy that travels outwards based on your duration, coating enemies in antimatter and causing them to take double damage, reducing their speed and causing them to explode upon death. You can also use the Molecular Fission augment to restore your Null Star (1) ability particles when when killing a primed enemy. The slow is 30% at maximum rank, and ability strength is added directly to the slow rather than multiplying it – so with Intensify (30% ability strength) it becomes a 60% slow.

Build – Speedva: Molecular Prime is an interesting power, applying a slow to affected enemies that is affected by ability strength. If you have an ability strength of 70% or less (Overextended or Power Donation) affected foes will actually receive a speed buff. I know it sounds terrible, but it actually can speed up missions by causing enemies to rush to you or the objective – this makes it a great tool for “farming” missions, providing your squad can control or kill the onrushing enemies!

Build – Slowva: The more traditional build of Nova relies on ability duration – not only does it affect the length of time the “wave” of Molecular Prime (4) expands (and thus the number of enemies it affects) but it improves the number of Null Star (1) particles. Consider using (Primed) Continuity, Auger Message or Constitution to improve your ability duration, or even Narrow Minded to sacrifice range for duration. Next you’ll want a bit of ability strength – this will improve the slow of your Molecular Prime (4) to a maximum of 75% at 145% ability strength – Intensify and Power Drift can cover this. Surprisingly, range isn’t a great choice for a Slowva – it will improve the “explode on death” effect of Molecular Prime (4) but not the blast of Antimatter Drop (2) and the reduced range can stop Null Star (1) particles exploding, meaning you can keep their damage reduction effect!

Opinion: Nova is a good frame when used well – maintaining a screen of Null Stars (1) will mask her fragile base stats, while her incredible support and damage abilities can easily overwhelm foes – but do be careful when using Molecular Prime (4) as it can really slow down a wave in a defence mission, something most groups will not thank you for unless they are struggling. Nova brings something to most mission types, but defence is her speciality.