[Warframe] Best Archwings And Weapons To Use

Excalibur wearing the odonata archwing
Updated:
07 Nov 2024

Warframe Archwings offer players a great deal of freedom in space missions, and are essential for 3D aerial combat as well as some open-world areas. Choosing the correct Archwing along with teaming it up with the right kind of Archgun and Archmelee equipment will make a substantial difference in the Warframe universe, irrespective of your power result or speedy speed. In this guide, you will find out the best Archwings in Warframe & top 5 Archwing weapons to fill your aerial arsenal.

 

All Archwings: Ranked

  • Amesha (S-Tier)
  • Itzal (A-Tier)
  • Odonata Prime (B-Tier)
  • Elytron (B-Tier)
  • Odonata (C-Tier)

 

 

Amesha (S-Tier)

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Digital Extremes
Mirage wearing the Amesha

Probably the go-to Archwing for survivability and support. Warding Grace and Benevolent Decoy give it the best defenses for difficult missions or when slacking off on large open-world areas like Plains of Eidolon, Orb Vallis.

Amesha is known for its functionality in tough situations. Seriously, its crowd-control and survivability powers are second to none, so you should use it! This Archwing is the staple for gaming as a beginner as well as a veteran for top-notch content.

 

Why Amesha is the best:

  • Great defensive skills, help keep the user and allies alive.
  • Capable of handling most missions and enemy assortments, with extremes at both ends.
  • Warding Grace - the best when it comes to crowd control since it slows enemies around the Archwing.

Amesha Is Good For:

  • Survivability/support oriented players
  • High-end mission that needs Sustainability and Crowd command
  • Open-world content that pits players against groups of enemies.
  • High energy efficiency for long endurance runs.

Amesha Stats:

  • Health: 300
  • Shields: 200
  • Armor: 250
  • Energy: 225

How to obtain the Amesha:

The parts and blueprint for the Archwing can be purchased from Tenno Lab in Clan Dojo.

 

 

Itzal (A-Tier)

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Itzal showcased

Fast and stealthy, Itzal is perfect for hit-and-run missions like resource gathering or the elusive retreat maneuvers. If speed is what you are after, Itzal will be your go-to Archwing thanks to its Blink ability.

While some important missions require a lot of moving around or other missions where you need to gather some resources, the Itzal can be used as it is known for being speedy and stealthy. It is a popular choice for Railjack missions which demand frequent repositioning.

 

Why Itzal is Early Game A Tier:

  • High mobility with blink allows you to escape from enemies.
  • Designed for the type of player that values mobility and speed over resource income.
  • Great stealth capabilities work in favor of bypassing the direct damage phases.

Itzal Is Good For:

  • For players who prefer quick movement and being a sneaky sneak.
  • Open world Missions – Extract minerals or mine for resources
  • Lengthy Railjack missions requiring fast traversal phases

Itzal Stats:

  • Health: 250
  • Shields: 150
  • Armor: 150
  • Energy: 200

How to obtain the Itzal:

Researchable from the Clan Dojo's Tenno Lab or rewards in Archwing missions.

 

 

Odonata Prime (B-Tier)

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Cory Clark
Volt Prime using the Odonata Prime

The original Archwing, Odonata Prime is a well-rounded Archwing that offers both defense and offense. Although it is not exactly specialized in any field, its shield and missile abilities are a safe bet for newcomers.

While Odonata Prime does not excel at any particular stat, its balanced nature makes it a good all-rounded choice in many situations, especially for beginners that are just getting used to Archwing combat.

 

Why Odonata Prime is B-Tier:

  • Well rounded in terms of offensive as defensive powers.
  • Control is easy, so it's well suited to beginners.
  • Additional protection against projectiles by Energy Shell.

Odonata Prime Is Good For:

  • New players discovering how to do Archwing combat mechanics.
  • Missions that do not require unique capabilities
  • Players looking for a well-rounded, go-to Archwing

Odonata Prime Stats:

  • Health: 300
  • Shields: 200
  • Armor: 150
  • Energy: 175

How to Obtain the Odonata Prime:

The parts for this Archwing can only be found in Prime Relics which are generally on hand during one of the many timely Prime unvaulting events.

 

 

Additional Archwings

  • Elytron: (B-Tier)
  • Odonata (C-Tier)

 

 

Best Archwing Weapons: Ranked

  • Imperator Vandal (S-Tier)
  • Larkspur Prime (S-Tier)
  • Phaedra (A-Tier)
  • Corvas Prime (B-Tier)
  • Velocitus (B-Tier)
  • Cyngas (B-Tier)
  • Fluctus (C-Tier)

 

Imperator Vandal (S-Tier)

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Kromatia
Imperator Vandal

The Archwing critical hit weapon that fires extremely high precision shots. When used on large groups of enemies in open-world or space missions, its power becomes one with all worshipers.

Imperator Vandal is the Archwing's answer to a high rate of fire, allowing it to aim down sights while firing more than once every 2 seconds which makes it ideal for sustained DPS.

 

Why the Imperator Vandal is S-Tier:

  • Very strong DPS, can last a long time in fights.
  • High Accuracy which means a high degree of accuracy when used at range
  • Great for both long mission and endurance runs.

Imperator Vandal Is Good For:

  • Players who want regular, high DPS.
  • Combat long-range engagements
  • All Railjack missions that will give you a skirmish.

Imperator Vandal Stats:

  • Damage: 200
  • Fire Rate: 25rnds/s
  • Critical Chance: 25%
  • Magazine Size: 300

How to obtain the Imperator Vandal:

Available through special in-game events such as Fomorian invasions, or Railjack specific rewards.

 

 

Larkspur Prime (S-Tier)

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Digital Extremes
Larkspur Prime showcased

The Larkspur Prime brings explosive power and versatility in the Archwing arsenal. This makes it super good at both dealing high DPS with its primary fire and a charged beam, making it great for crowd control AND boss fights.

The Larkspur is a versatile weapon and its power to fire close-range explosives or devastating beams can be potentially game-changing. This monster of an Archgun is ideal for players that want more flexibility and high damage output.

 

Why Larkspur Prime is S-Tier:

  • The dual-mode fire offers a different use in combat scenarios.
  • Charged beam attack is the best way to deal with high-HP enemies
  • Wide-area damage that can clear out droves of mobs.

Larkspur Prime Is Good For:

  • Players seeking for a weapon that can take on both Mobs and some harder Enemies.
  • Clears a great numbers of enemies in missions ie. open-world bounties.
  • Versatile combat scenarios needing flexibility; switching modes for different situations.

Larkspur Prime Stats:

  • Damage: 350
  • Status Chance: 30%
  • Magazine Size: 100
  • Charge time: 1s [Beam mode]

How to obtain the Larkspur Prime:

Can be obtained from Prime relics and some prime resurgence events.

 

 

Phaedra (A-Tier)

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Digital Extremes
Oberon wielding the Phaedra

Phaedra is the machine gun of Archwing weapons, with a fast rate of fire and high critical chance it can be wielded for some great sustained damage making it excellent in missions that have multiple waves of enemies.

The high fire rate of Phaedra can be sub par against clusters if you are hunting groups, though in Railjacks where engagements with multiple enemies could take a while it is very effective. But it misses having the AoE ability of other weapons.

 

Why the Phaedra is A-Tier:

  • Constant stream of fire for high damage output
  • The increased critical hit rate makes this a solid choice for boosting your damage output.
  • Good for players who like precision and long attacks.

Phaedra Is Good For:

  • Players wanting a consistent high DPS weapon.
  • Battles that go on with successive waves of enemies.
  • Missions that demand precision-to-distance shooting.

Phaedra Stats:

  • Damage: 80 per round
  • Fire Rate: 16 rounds/sec
  • Critical Chance: 25%
  • Magazine Size: 250

How to obtain the Phaedra:

Obtained via research in a Clan Dojo's Tenno Lab.

 

 

Corvas Prime (B-Tier)

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Digital Extremes
Corvas Prime wielded by Wisp

The Corvas Prime is high in damage; this shotgun excels at close-range devastation, great for those who like to pack a punch up close.

The shotgun-based mechanics behind Corvas Prime make it a solid choice for up-close work, but less useful from range.

 

Why Corvas Prime is B-Tier:

  • Close Range High Damage
  • Multiple hits on close targets with a shotgun spread.
  • High damage for beefy targets in Archwing and Railjack missions.

Corvas Prime Is Good For:

  • Close-range fighting with maximum burst damage.
  • Open-world fights with big enemies
  • Missions where burst damage is needed in a short amount of time, like boss fights.

Corvas Stats:

  • Damage: 1500 per shot
  • Critical Chance: 15%
  • Reload Time: 2.5 seconds
  • Magazine Size: 20

How to obtain the Corvas Prime:

Can be obtained through Prime Relics and some Prime Resurgence events.

 

 

Velocitus (B-Tier)

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LeyzarGamingViews
Velocitus showcased

The Velocitus is an Archwing weapon that uses railgun-style charged shots at extreme range, creating devastating damage when the shot is fully charged.

This Archwing weapon is the God of aiming. It has very strong single target damage which is perfect for boss fights or high level content.

 

Why Velocitus is A-Tier:

  • Fully charged shots are highly damaging.
  • Great for long-range engagements.
  • Great for picking out single targets in high level activities.

Velocitus Is Good For:

  • Sharpshooters specializing in high-damage, precision shots.
  • Boss fights that are best suited to a few well-placed shots rather than straight-up rapid fire.
  • Long-distance Railjack missions requiring accuracy and results.

Velocitus Stats:

  • Damage: 6000 (charged shot)
  • Critical Chance: 20%
  • Charge Time: 1.5 seconds
  • Magazine Size: 10

How to obtain the Velocitus:

The Velocitus can be obtained through weapons research in the Tenno Lab of a Clan Dojo.

 

 

Cyngas (B-Tier)

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EJ del Rosario
Cyngas showcased

The Cyngas is a mid-range automatic Archwing weapon, sporting reliable and predictable damage in bursts.

Cyngas’s burst fire is effective for prolonged engagements against sustained threat groups, though it offers lower burst DPS compared to the other top-tier options for high-level missions.

 

Why the Cyngas is B-Tier:

  • Provides consistent burst damage at medium range.
  • Great for sustained fire, but lacks high DPS.
  • Easy to control, ideal for mid-tier missions.

Cyngas Is Good For:

  • Players needing a consistent, reliable damage source.
  • Medium-range missions requiring continuous fire.
  • Lower-to-mid level content wherein enemies spawn in consistent waves.

Cyngas Stats:

  • Damage: 200 per burst
  • Critical Chance: 10%
  • Fire Rate: 3 bursts per second
  • Magazine Size: 75

How to obtain the Cyngas:

Blueprint and components are available from the Tenno Lab in a Clan Dojo through research.

 

 

Fluctus (C-Tier)

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EJ del Rosario
Fluctus showcased

The Fluctus excels in crowd control with its wave-blade projectiles, making it perfect for dealing with multiple enemies in tight corridors or groups.

This wave-gun offers excellent AoE utility, especially in confined areas. Its unique ability to pass through enemies adds a strategic advantage in group control.

 

Why Fluctus is A-Tier:

  • Wave projectiles pierce enemies, ideal for crowd control.
  • High damage per shot, great for burst engagements.
  • Best suited for scenarios with closely packed enemies or narrow spaces.

Fluctus Is Good For:

  • Players focusing on crowd control.
  • Missions in confined areas, like ship battles or air to land attacking through open-world exploration
  • Open-world combat with tightly grouped enemies.

Fluctus Stats:

  • Damage: 1200 per shot
  • Critical Chance: 25%
  • Magazine Size: 50
  • Projectile Width: 4m

How to obtain the Fluctus: Parts are available from specific Archwing missions or through research in the Tenno Lab in a clan dojo.

 

 

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Digital Extremes
Odonata cruising in space

Conclusion

Selecting the best Archwing and weapon can make your Warframe resource farming in open worlds much easier, same goes for meaty combat scenarios in space missions. Don't forget to try all the Archwing abilities, as well different weapon loadouts – they might turn out useful in your mission goals.

 

 

You may also be interested in:

Warframe Build Guide: How to Create Powerful Builds

[Warframe] Best Prime Warframes Tier List

EJ del Rosario
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