Warframe is a third-person shooter game that thrives on riveting lore and numerous loots from different bounties. The game was first released in 2013 and is still a popular title to date because of the new updates and invention of new “frames.” Basically, these frames are suits that are pitched in with new updates to expand on the lore and the abilities the players can harness. You get to traverse through space and different planets. With each planet, you unlock gripping weapons and materials. Well, for the past 8 years, people are still unable to finish the game at all. There’s so much available at one’s disposal that all you could do is just grind on and on.
Not to mention, until May 2021, there are around 47 frames available, while the 48th one is on its way to the game (Yareli). You can farm materials and liches for what it’s worth and do what not as long as there’s something left on your plate. As you progress, new frames unlock, and this is when the selection criterion becomes tough. You don’t know which frame to opt for and which to ignore in terms of your playstyle. This is why today I will be talking about the Warframe tier list, which will focus on individual frame abilities and its ranking amidst the pool of other available frames.
Symbols explained
- SS+ Tier: These frames are overpowered with a lot of potential available to exploit. In terms of strength and vitality, these frames are the best.
- S+ Tier: If you need something balanced, and at the same time, accessible playstyle, then S+ tier frames are the way to go. Although these frames are quite nerfed down to make the balance apparent, they are still better than frames from other tiers.
- A Tier: These frames are known for being average: not too bad, not too good. You know, 50-50. It’s worth mentioning that the frames from this tier are more for beginners than for those who know A-Z of Warframe.
- B Tier: You are not advised to fully upgrade these frames because they are the very definition of fallibility. It’s true that you might survive a couple of months with them, but not more than that.
- C Tier: The absolute worst of them all. You really can’t invest a lot in these frames other than just try out for the sake of exploration. Some of them might benefit you for a few tasks, but that’s that.
SS+ Tier
| Warframe | Abilities |
|---|---|
| Mesa | Ballistic Battery, Shooting Gallery, Shatter Shield, Peacemaker |
| Trinity | Well of Life, Energy Vampire, Link, Blessing |
| Octavia | Mallet, Resonator, Metronome, Amp |
| Wisp | Reservoirs, Wil-O-Wisp, Breach Surge, Sol Gate |
| Nova | Null Star, Antimatter Drop, Wormhole, Molecular Prime |
| Saryn | Spores, Molt, Toxic Lash, Miasma |
| Rhino | Rhino Charge, Iron Skin, Roar, Rhino Stomp |
S Tier
| Warframe | Abilities |
|---|---|
| Equinox | Metamorphosis, Rest and Rage, Pacify and Provoke, Mend and Maim |
| Gauss | Mach Rush, Kinetic Plating, thermal sunder, Redline |
| Khora | Whip Claw, Ensnare, Venari, Strangledome |
| Chroma | Spectral Scream, Elemental Ward, Vex Armor, Effigy |
| Ivara | Quiver, Navigator, Prowl, Artemis Bow |
| Inaros | Desiccation, Devor, Sandstorm, Scarab Swarm |
| Volt | Shock, Speed, Electric Shield, Discharge |
| Wukong | Celestial twin, cloud walker, Defy, Primal Fury |
| Nidus | Virulence, Larva, Parasitic Link, Ravenous |
| Nezha | Fire Walker, Blazing Chakram, Warding Halo, Divine Spears |
| Gara | Shattered Lash, Splinter Storm, Spectrorage, Mass Vitrify |
| Mirage | Hall of Mirrors, Sleight of Hand, Eclipse, Prism |
| Baruuk | Elude, Lul, Desolate Hands, Serene Storm |
A Tier
| Warframe | Abilities |
|---|---|
| Oberon | Smite, Hallowed Ground, Renewal, Reckoning |
| Titania | Spellbind, Tribute, Lantern, Razorwing |
| Limbo | Banish, Stasis, Rift, Surge Cataclysm |
| Revenant | Enthrall, Mesmer Skin, Reave, Danse Macabre |
| Ember | Fireball, Immolation, Fire Blast, Inferno |
| Protea | Grenade Fan, Blaze Artillery, Dispensary, Temporal Anchor |
| Harrow | Condemn, Penance, Thurible, Covenant |
| Nekros | Soul Punch, Terrify, Desecrate, Shadows of the dead |
| Mag | Pull, Magnetize, Polarize, Crush |
| Vauban | Tesla Nervos, Minelayer, Photon Strike, Bastille |
B Tier
| Warframe | Abilities |
|---|---|
| Frost | Freeze, Ice Wave, Snow Globe, Avalanche |
| Excalibur | Slash Dash, Radial bind, Radial Javelin, Exalted Blade |
| Loki | Decoy, Invisibility Switch, Teleport, Radial Disarm |
| Hildryn | Balefire, Pillage, Haven, Aegis Storm |
| Valkyr | Rip line, Warcry, Paralysis, Hysteria |
| Ash | Shuriken, Smoke Screen, Teleport, Blade Storm |
| Garuda | Dread Mirror, Blood Altar, Bloodletting, Seeking Talons |
C Tier
| Warframe | Abilities |
|---|---|
| Atlas | Landslide, Tectonics, Petrify, Rumblers |
| Banshee | Sonic boom, Sonar, Silence, Sound Quake |
| Nyx | Mind Control, Psychic Bolts, Chaos, Absorb |
| Zephyr | Tail Wind, Airburst, Turbulence, Tornado |
| Grendel | Feast, Nourish, Regurgitate, Pulverize |
| Hydroid | Tempest Barrage, Tidal Surge, Undertow, Tentacle Swarm |
How to select the best character (Warframe Meta explained) for the game?
I have around 250+ hours on Warframe and intend to play more of it. Currently, I’m stuck with Volt because, unlike Destiny 2, you can grind and get premium frames anyway. So yeah, at the moment, I’m grinding as much as I can to get the Nova and Mesa suits. Considering this, what’s your best option? If you are a F2P player, then your best shot is to get Volt and spend a good deal of time getting materials, and mastery levels on different weapons, etc. Apart from this, you can settle for Equinox and then climb up the ladders. It entirely depends on you. But yeah, getting Mesa is not strawberries and cupcakes unless you are willing to spend a lot of in-game money on these suits in the early game.
Not to mention, go for frames that will twin with your playstyle. For example, I’m a person who’s into fast combat, hence the Volt. So yeah, try different combinations, and you’ll know which to go for at the end of the day.
Anyhow, this brings us to a close. I hope this tier list was sufficient enough to bless you with a decisive stance. Good luck in selecting your dream frame!
Hey, I’m Muhammad Bilal. I’m a tech fanatic (also read: Gamer), who loves scrutinizing fine details. I aim to strive hard in my respective fields (as a writer and software programmer). Before pursuing my majors in a university (right now in A-levels), I want to spend time exploring and reviewing the latest technology.