The Stradavar was added to Warframe in Update 18.11.0 as part of the Tenno Reinforcements. Though this new rifle does not boast extraordinary damage, it provides a unique new feature of being able to alternate between fully automatic and semi-automatic on demand.

Tenno Reinforcements preview:

The Stradavar’s damage is not its defining feature; it is comparable to the Karak and Karak Wraith in that regard. The defining feature of the Stradavar is its ability to switch between Automatic and Semi-Automatic firing at will (through the use of the alt. fire keybinding). However, the Stradavar receives a noticeable increase to its critical strike chance at the cost of a lower fire rate when the semi-automatic mode is engaged.

Stradavar Stat Stradavar Auto Stradavar Semi Tonkor MR Requirement 8 8 5 Trigger Type Automatic Semi-Automatic Semi-Automatic Flight Speed Hit-Scan Hit-Scan Bouncing Projectile Fire Rate 10.0 rounds/sec 5.0 rounds/sec 2.0 rounds/sec Accuracy 28.6 28.6 12.5 Magazine Size 65 rounds/mag 65 rounds/mag 2 rounds/mag Max Ammo 540 rounds 540 rounds 40 rounds Reload Time 2.0s 2.0s 2.0s Physical Damage 30.0 30.0 75.0 Impact 4.5 4.5 0.0 Puncture 15.0 15.0 75.0 Slash 10.5 10.5 0 Crit Chance 10.0% 20.0% 35.0% Crit Multiplier 2.0x 2.0x 2.5x Status Chance 7.0% 7.0% 10.0% Blast 0.0 0.0 325.0

To toggle between the Semi-Auto and Auto modes, use the alternate fire keybinding (default is Mouse Button 3 on PC). It will display the mode engaged on the bottom right of your screen like so:

Here is a video demonstration of the alternate modes for the Stradavar:

Ultimately the Stradavar’s ability to switch between full and semi automatic is an interesting concept, but poorly supported. A few improvements should be made in order to better establish this new mechanic and help push the Stradavar out of the rut it seems to have started in. My suggestions after having used the weapon passively equipped during Draco AFK farming are:

Go all-in on making the Stradavar a crit weapon. 20% Crit Chance in Automatic, 30% or 35% Crit Chance in Semi-Automatic Remove or reduce the Fire Rate penalty from Semi-Automatic Reduce the Tonkor’s damage by 75% Further adjust the IPS by reducing Impact in favor of a bit more Puncture or by adding and normalizing 7-12 more Physical Damage Improve the Critical Damage to 2.5x from 2.0x (at least in Semi-Automatic mode) Increase the Tonkor’s Reload Time to 3.0s

With these changes in mind, the Stradavar could potentially deal up to 10% of the Tonkor’s DPS. Any changes or adjustments to the Stradavar should put an emphasis on its unique mechanic of switching trigger types on the fly. For example, instead of a semi-auto trigger, the alternate fire could transform each round into a Tonkor grenade.

On a scale of Grinlok to Tonkor, the Stradavar is currently a solid Hind/Karak with the potential to reach Soma/Boltor levels of effectiveness with a niche some players may really enjoy. Even in its current iteration, the Stradavar is capable of causing mild irritation for anything caught in its crosshairs.