[Garuda] is usually a Warframe people don't have in mind in terms of being a good Warframe, in fact some people just forget she even exists, that's why today I bring you what I think is a very way to play [Garuda] with her [Talons], this build was made to give [Garuda] a second air in terms of usability and just relax a little bit when you get tired of your usual builds.

Quick explanation of her abilities:

First ability: [Dread] Mirror

[Dread] Mirror is a skill that allows us to absorb incoming damage and then explode it in the form of a projectile towards enemies, usually this ability is used to help her survivability and that's why in the build we use that amount of ability duration ([Dread] Mirror gives us a small moment of invulnerability that help us with the shield gating).

Second ability: Blood Altar

One of [Garuda]'s most importan abilities in this build because of its healing, with this ability we will be able to constantly proc [Archon Intensify] at the same time we get a little bit more of survivability by its amazing amount of healing.

You can place up to 3 Blood Altars at the same time in the battlefield being able to heal ourselves to full health over and over.

Third ability: Bloodletting

Bloodletting is another ability that allows us to survive thanks to it we can clean status effects and get 40% of our energy back so we will never have energy issues.

Fourth ability: Seeking [Talons] ([Blending Talons] augment)

The normal ability "Seeking [Talons]" is a decent ability when it comes in terms of damage but her augment "[Blending Talons]" changes the ability completely to benefit our [Talons] way more.

[Blending Talons] will make a area of effect in 9 meters (7.11 meters after the build is complete) and it gives us 100% additional chance on combo counter when our [Talons] hit enemies with a slash status effect.

Mod explanation.

1. First we have both [Catalyzing Shields] and [Fast Deflection], these two mods will allow us to use shield gating more consistently with the help of some or our abilities.

2. [Archon Continuity] is a mod that will help us to proc corrosive on the enemies that allows [Condition Overload] be way better for our [Talons].

3. [Archon Intensify] is a mod that will be used almost constantly thanks to Bloodletting to get our energy back.

This also means that the 30% extra ability strength will heal us way faster to help us survive way better.

4. [Flow] prime is just useful in this and any build so that's just it.

5. Exilus slot is up to personal preferences.

Stat Explanation:

1. The 239% ability duration is of course for our first and second ability some might not agree with the amount of duration but after trying a lot I just found myself way more comfortable with this amount of ability duration.

With this amount of duration both [Dread] Mirror and Blood Altar will last up to 47 seconds.

2. The negative range is not something that will affect [Garuda] in any way with this build because of the play style that will be mentioned later.

3. A low ability strength will not affect us either, even though the healing we'll get from Blood Altar scales with ability strength the 36% healing we get with 130% ability strength is more than enough.

Play style and survivability method:

At the beginning of the mission just equip your [Talons] use your first ability to get [Dread] Mirror activated, after this use Bloodletting whenever you're running low on energy and immediately use Blood Altar on at least 2 enemies to start healing yourself from the damage received.

When your shields get destroyed cast either your fourth or first ability to get those extra seconds of invulnerability to shield gate with the help of [Fast Deflection].

This play style is simple for both new and advanced players so feel free to try playing [Garuda] this way and let me know in the comments if it worked for you too.

Recommended Helminth abilities:

Even though this build works better with the whole [Garuda] skill set there's some Helminth abilities that can help you to make it work even better.

REMINDER: Every single Helminth ability mentioned here is recommended to be subsumed on Blood Altar ([Garuda]'s second ability).

1. Gloom:

Gloom is [Sevagoth]'s subsume and one of the best in game, it allows you to greatly slow enemies.

In case you subsume Gloom on [Garuda] the build might have to change a lot, first drop [Narrow Minded] and change it for a mod of your preference (Maybe more ability strength or more range depending on what you want.)

Of course if you subsume Gloom on Blood altar drop [Archon Intensify] and use [Umbral Intensify] or [Blind Rage] to get a lot more ability strength for Gloom slow capacity.

2. Roar:

[Rhino]'s Roar might be the best helminth ability from the whole game and that also applies for this [Garuda] build to get even more damage with our [Talons].

In case you subsume Roar on [Garuda] just drop [Archon Intensify] and use [Umbral Intensify] or [Blind Rage].

(Some duration mods might work perfectly too.)

3. Eclipse:

Eclipse is [Mirage]'s Helminth ability and pretty decent on [Garuda] but between all the three abilities mentioned here this one is the least recommended.

As always if subsumed on Blood Altar drop [Archon Intensify] and use [Umbral Intensify] or [Blind Rage].

4. Nourish:

Nourish is [Grendel]'s helminth ability and basically the best from all the possible options.

The viral priming Nourish offers you is great to get more damage for your [Talons].

Also the energy economy just helps [Garuda] a lot if you don't want to cast Bloodletting constantly.

Arcanes and possible options:

1. Molt augmented:

Molt augmented gives you more ability strength per kill and yes that helps Blood Altar healing which will allow you to heal even more.

2. Arcane Avenger:

This one is just a personal preference, the extra 45% critical chance is always nice to have on crit damage based weapons.

3. Molt Reconstruct:

Healing yourself and your allies within affinity range 6 health per energy point spent on the initial casting cost of abilities is an amazing way to make yourself more "Supportive" to your teammates.

Recommended companions:

[Garuda] works better with companions that prime enemies easily as [Diriga] or a Hound.

Recommended Archon shards:

1 Yellow Tauforged for cast speed (+37.5%)
2 Red (Tauforged optional) for additional ability strength (+10% each normal archon shard)
2 Purple (Tauforged optional) for additional crit damage (The last option that allows you get 20% of energy when you pick up a health orb and vise versa)

My Talons build:
https://overframe.gg/build/808554/garuda-prime-talons/executioners-of-the-crimson-queengaruda-talons-buildorange-and-red-critsslash-and-toxin/

Final thoughts and opinions:

This whole time I've been trying different builds and more stuff. I startedstuff I started enjoying [Garuda] way more than I thought I would at first, her kit is totally awesome if you want to try something new "Off meta".

One of the downsides from would be that she doesn't have a crazy damage reduction skill like [Mesa] but overall she can survive pretty easily.

Have in mind that I haven't taken this build to Level cap steel path so if it doesn't works for your super tryhard level cap daily runs feel free to share what you would change from this build to make it work in those levels.

Overall she became one of my favorite Warframes in the game very easily (Took literally less than 72 hours) and I hope you can enjoy her as much as I did.