Although it’s been around since 2013, Warframe is almost unrecognizable in 2022 from when it first launched. Thankfully, most of the changes over the years have been for the better, as it now enjoys between 40k and 55k concurrent players on a daily basis. This sci-fi MMORPG sets itself apart from most others by blending gun-based and melee-based combat with almost every class.
As with any MMORPG, coming into it so late in its life can be intimidating. When you see the huge world before you, knowing where to start and what to do isn’t always as easy as it looks. We’ve gathered together tips that will help you get your bearings in Warframe’s strange world, and set you on the path to true Mastery.
Picking your first Warframe
The game’s namesake are the combat setups known as Warframes. From a lore perspective, these are mysterious weapons/armour systems controlled by the protagonist, the Tenno. From a gameplay perspective, these determine what your primary abilities and stats are, which most other MMOs would call your class.
After the opening cutscene, you’ll be given the choice between Excalibur, Volt, and Mag. The game claims Excalibur is ideal for new players, but you shouldn’t be intimidated if you like the look of the other two. Excalibur has the most easily understood abilities, but both Volt & Mag have cool stuff to offer. Regardless of your choice, you’ll be able to craft or purchase both the other Warframes later in the game.
Learn about the enemy factions
As any tactician will tell you, it’s important to know your enemy as well as you know yourself. There are three main factions you need to worry about in Warframe, and being able to identify which one you’re dealing with is important for strategy and planning. This doesn’t mean you need to learn all the ins and outs of their lore, just vaguely what you’re up against.
First is The Grineer. If you’re fighting these guys, then expect tanky enemies with powerful weaponry. They aren’t as sophisticated in their security as the other factions but can overwhelm you with sheer power. Next is The Corpus, who are far more wily. They use drones to aid them in combat, which you’ll need to fight, and are no strangers to laying traps around for security. Finally, The Infestation rely on swarming you with vicious enemies and draining your energy, so you must be very careful when fighting them.
Collect every resource you see
A big part of the progression cycle in Warframe is the crafting systems. Whether you’re crafting weapons, Warframes, or equipment, you’ll need every scrap at your disposal to continuously upgrade yourself. Levelling up will increase your strength, but if you really want the edge on enemies, you need the best gear.
Thankfully, loot is everywhere you look in Warframe, but when you’re first starting out, identifying loot containers might take a little bit of focus. Loot containers do shine, but it’s easily missed if you’re not paying attention, and they’re all designed to blend in with the environment. If you see a large bit of scrap metal along the side of a corridor, check it, because it might contain valuable resources.
Customize your controls
Whether you’re playing with a controller or mouse and keyboard, MMOs always have a lot of buttons you need to constantly be on top of. With a bunch of abilities always on the go, knowing exactly what your fingers need to be doing in the heat of battle is vital to success.
Depending on what kind of games you’re already used to, you likely have a setup that is ideal for you. It’s easy to develop muscle memory when playing a game, but every MMO is slightly different, and if you’re coming without prior MMO experience, then you’ll need to give yourself the easiest transition between control schemes, as there’s a lot more to think about than your average Assassin’s Creed game.
Try to stay hidden
Most of Warframe’s missions let you play them however you want, even if there is a recommended way to play. That said, some tactics are always going to be more reliable than others, and for Warframe, being stealthy will do you the world of good, even if it isn’t always possible.
Depending on which faction you’re up against, stealth could be quite difficult. Crouch wherever possible, and make sure you always have a silent weapon on hand, otherwise, you’ll quickly draw attention. It’s quite common for missions to get a lot harder once you get detected and alarms start blaring, so putting that off as long as possible will give you better odds of success.
Always watch your flanks
One thing you’ll quickly learn about enemy placement in Warframe is that if there is a side angle enemies can come from, there will definitely be some waiting to pounce there. It can be a big problem if you get into a firefight, only for another group of enemies to show up from behind you, so stay vigilant.
When you enter an area, make sure you check either side of you for little nooks and crannies, especially if you’re dealing with natural terrain. Before you engage anyone in combat, double-check to be sure that no one is going to take you by surprise. Not only will this keep you alive, but it will help keep you stealthy.
Learn everything about Mods
Just as important as having the best equipment is kitting that equipment out with all the best upgrades, which Warframe calls Mods. Mods can be applied to all your weapons and your Warframes, boosting their stats. There are a bunch of simple ones like ‘10% more damage’, but if you learn all the intricacies of the system, you can create really powerful stuff.
You can fuse mods to upgrade them, pushing their power beyond normal limits, but it goes deeper than that. When mods have certain effects like Toxin damage, then you can combine them with others to create the best Mods. For example, Toxin combined with Electricity results in a Corrosive mod, doing way more damage.
Save your Platinum
Platinum is Warframe’s premium currency, and like any premium currency, there are precious few opportunities to get some for free. You can spend platinum on all sorts of cool-looking cosmetic items, making your Warframes look godly or hellish, depending on your preferences.
However, what little platinum you can get your hands on without spending money you should hoard until later in the game when all-important gameplay bonuses can be unlocked using them. For one, you can get weapons and Warframes without having to grind and find all the materials, but perhaps more importantly, you can use it to upgrade your slots, letting you hold more Warframes at once.
Build Rhino first
When you finally get the chance to build your own Warframes, you might feel a bit spoiled for choice. Every Warframe lends itself to certain playstyles, so it’s best to go for something you think will fit your style best. However, there are some which are always going to come in handy.
Rhino is one that every new player is recommended to build as soon as possible. A lot of difficult early missions can be solved by the Tanking capability of Rhino, plus it hits like a truck. It won’t always be useful, for example, a mission about remaining stealthy isn’t up its street, but if you’re getting overwhelmed by enemies, then Rhino is an easy trump card.
Join a Syndicate
Once you reach Mastery Rank 3, you’ll get the option to join Syndicates. These are 17 different factions, several added by Warframe’s various expansions, all with conflicting needs and ideologies. You can interact with any of them, but doing so will affect your reputation with others. Regardless of which Syndicates you decide to cosy up to, make sure to invest heavily in them.
After you’ve been initiated in a Syndicate you can complete missions for them to rise the ranks. By wearing their insignia during your adventures, your standing will slowly increase and you’ll unblock unique rewards and upgrades. The biggest rewards are the special Mods, which offer huge bonuses, such as double damage, and are useful no matter your playstyle.
Written by Ryan Woodrow on behalf of GLHF.
