Warframe is a popular free-to-play, third-person action game that puts players in the role of the Tenno, ancient warriors who use advanced bio-metal suits called Warframes. Known for its fast-paced combat and deep customization, the game offers a massive amount of content across a sprawling solar system. This guide provides a straightforward introduction to the basics of playing Warframe, from your first mission to understanding complex progression systems.
Setting Up Your Account and Choosing a Platform
Warframe is available on almost every major gaming platform. You can play it on PC (via Steam or the standalone launcher), PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and iOS mobile devices. The game supports cross-play and cross-save, meaning you can play with friends on different devices and carry your progress across platforms.
To begin, visit the official Warframe website or your platform’s digital store to download the game. You will need to create a free account. Once the game is installed and updated, you will be prompted to start the opening cinematic and tutorial quest, known as “Vor’s Prize.”
Selecting Your Starting Warframe
During the tutorial, you must choose one of three starting Warframes. Each has a unique playstyle, but do not worry about making the “wrong” choice. You can eventually earn or build all of them later in the game. The three options are:
- Excalibur: A balanced warrior focused on swordplay. He is excellent for beginners who prefer direct, high-damage melee combat.
- Volt: A versatile frame that uses electricity to damage enemies and speed up allies. He is great for players who enjoy mobility and area-of-effect abilities.
- Mag: A tactical frame that uses magnetic forces to control the battlefield. She is ideal for players who like to manipulate enemy positions and strip away their defenses.
After choosing your Warframe, you will also pick your starting weapons. Like the frames, these can be replaced early on, so choose the ones that feel most comfortable during the trial phase.
Mastering Movement and Combat
Movement is the most important skill in Warframe. The game features a system often called “Parkour 2.0,” which allows you to move through levels with extreme speed. Mastering these maneuvers will help you avoid damage and reach objectives faster.
The core movement mechanic is the Bullet Jump. To perform this, crouch while standing or sliding and then jump. This launches your character forward in the direction you are aiming. You can also double jump, wall-run, and aim-glide (holding the aim button while in the air to slow your descent).
Combat involves a mix of primary weapons (rifles, bows, shotguns), secondary weapons (pistols, throwing stars), and melee weapons. Each Warframe also has four unique abilities that consume Energy. Learning to balance weapon use with your abilities is the key to surviving difficult missions.
The Star Chart and Mission Types
The “Star Chart” is your primary way of navigating the game. It consists of various planets and moons, each containing a series of mission nodes. To progress, you must complete missions to unlock “Junctions” that lead to the next planet.
Missions vary in their objectives, and understanding them is vital for success. Common mission types include:
- Exterminate: Defeat a specific number of enemies to clear the area.
- Capture: Locate a high-value target, defeat them, and capture them for interrogation.
- Survival: Fight endless waves of enemies while maintaining life support levels by killing enemies or activating towers.
- Defense: Protect a stationary objective from waves of attackers.
- Spy: Infiltrate three secure vaults without being detected by alarms.
Completing Junctions is the best way to track your progress. Each Junction has a list of tasks you must complete before you can challenge the Junction Guardian and move to the next planet.
Understanding Mods: The Key to Power
In Warframe, your character does not get stronger simply by leveling up. Instead, your power comes from Mods. These are cards that you install into your Warframes and weapons to increase their stats, such as health, damage, or ability strength.
Each item has a “Mod Capacity” that limits how many mods you can equip. As you level up a weapon or Warframe (up to level 30), its capacity increases. You can also upgrade individual mods using a currency called Endo and Credits. Upgrading a mod makes it more powerful but also makes it take up more capacity.
Always prioritize mods that increase your survivability, such as “Vitality” (Health) or “Redirection” (Shields). For weapons, look for mods that increase base damage, such as “Serration” or “Pressure Point.”
The Foundry and Crafting
Warframe is a game about collecting resources and building new gear. Almost everything in the game can be earned for free by finding Blueprints. You can find Blueprints as mission rewards, quest prizes, or by purchasing them with Credits in the in-game Market.
Once you have a Blueprint and the necessary resources (like Ferrite, Polymer Bundle, or Orokin Cells), you go to the Foundry on your ship to start the building process. Crafting takes real-world time, ranging from one minute for basic components to 72 hours for a new Warframe. You do not need to be logged in for the timer to count down.
Mastery Rank and Progression
Your overall account level is called your Mastery Rank (MR). Increasing your MR unlocks new weapons, quests, and features. You earn Mastery points by leveling up new Warframes, weapons, and companions to level 30 for the first time.
When you have earned enough points, you can take a Mastery Rank test. If you pass, your rank increases. If you fail, you must wait 24 hours before trying again. Because of this system, the game encourages you to constantly try out new equipment rather than sticking to just one set of gear.
Playing Solo vs. Multiplayer
Warframe can be played entirely solo or in squads of up to four players. By default, the game is set to “Public,” which will automatically match you with other players who are doing the same mission. Playing in a group is often easier, as players can revive each other and combine their abilities.
If you prefer a slower pace or want to explore the lore at your own speed, you can change your matchmaking settings to “Solo” in the navigation menu. Note that some high-level content, like Raids or Open World bosses, is significantly more difficult without a team.
Tips for New Players
The world of Warframe is vast, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Follow these simple tips to stay on track during your first few weeks:
- Save your starting Platinum: You begin with a small amount of premium currency (Platinum). Do not spend it on cosmetics. Instead, use it to buy “Weapon Slots” or “Warframe Slots” so you can own more gear.
- Follow the Quests: The Codex on your ship lists available quests. These provide essential items and explain the game’s deep lore.
- Join a Clan: Joining a player-run Clan gives you access to a Dojo. This is a social hub where you can buy exclusive Blueprints that are not available anywhere else.
- Use the Wiki: Warframe is a complex game with many hidden mechanics. The community-maintained Warframe Wiki is an invaluable resource for finding where specific items drop.
Conclusion
Playing Warframe is a journey of discovery and constant improvement. By focusing on completing the Star Chart, mastering the movement system, and learning how to use Mods effectively, you will quickly move from a beginner to a powerful Tenno. Remember to take your time and enjoy the process of building your collection of warriors.
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