Whether you’re a new Tenno in the system or an old veteran, you definitely want to maximize your arsenal with the most effective gear you could possibly get your hands on. Warframe contains a myriad of weapons that support many different playstyles. In fact, it has too many!
When I stumbled across this game in the “free to play” section on Steam all those years ago, it had merely a fraction of the weapon selection it does now. My mind was blown away by all the choices back then. I bet it would have been jaw-dropping for “younger” me to see the game’s current weapon offerings.
Have you ever wanted to pin your enemies’ corpses to the walls? What about reducing them all to ashes in the blink of an eye? Perhaps a stealthy bow and arrow would suit your space ninja needs?
Fortunately, we’ve got you covered with the top 15 best weapons in Warframe. These range from those you could acquire relatively early on to more endgame-style ones that can clean up hordes of enemies with ease.
15. Boltor (Early Game Beast)
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The Boltor is a very beginner-friendly weapon, that excels at nailing your foes to walls.
“The Boltor fires slow, heavy bolts that are capable of impaling enemies to walls.” - Warframe
Finishing off Captain Vor is unbelievably satisfying, because you feel like a space savior. Then, the Lotus informs you of the numerous other threats that lurk throughout the system, lying in wait for you.
Enticed by the coming battles, you race through as much of the starchart as you can, before your progress comes to a screeching halt. Your presumably fearsome MK1 weapons just aren’t cutting it anymore.
That’s where the Boltor comes knocking on the door. It’s a good DPS weapon that’ll produce hilarious ragdoll physics on enemies, for your viewing pleasure! Hitting hard and fast is the name of the game here, as this assault rifle can comfortably handle enemies up to level 45.
Here’s how you can acquire it:
What makes the Boltor awesome:
Decent status chance to proc elemental status effects;
Good fire rate. 8.75 rounds per second;
Good accuracy;
Effective against some armored enemies, thanks to its puncture damage. (80% puncture);
Killed enemies’ corpses fly to the walls, damaging other enemies that obstruct their path.
The Silva and Aegis is an incredibly fun sword and shield!
“This fiery sword and shield combination perfects the balance of Tenno offense and defense prowess. In the hands of a Master, even a defensive tool like a shield can be used as a weapon.” – Warframe
Do we have any Legend of Zelda fans in the crowd? Go on, raise your hands (we know you’re there)! If you raised your hand, how would you like a flaming version of Link’s signature sword and shield?
Even if you didn’t raise your hand, the Silva and Aegis is a fiery melee weapon combo that practically feels like cheating in the early game. My eyebrows rose at the fact that it’s obtainable at mastery rank 0.
It’s an incredibly fun weapon with innate heat damage, and properties unique to its shield. Not to mention, it comes with its own unique and highly useful augment mod!
How to get it:
What makes the Silva and Aegis awesome:
Innate heat damage that is effective against various enemies, such as the Infested;
High status chance, which paves the way for you to use your favorite status builds;
Blocking with the shield accumulates additive charges. Each charge boosts critical and status chances by 15% for the next strike, for a maximum of 4 charges;
An Impact proc is guaranteed when shield bashing;
“Avenging Truth” is an exclusive augment mod for the Silva and Aegis, which absorbs 50% of damage when blocking and returns it on the next attack.
Silva and Aegis details: https://warframe.fandom.com/wiki/Silva_%26_Aegis
13. Atomos (Armor Reducing Laser)
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The Atomos is sure to reduce armored enemies to space dust!
“This particle cannon generates a condensed beam of super-heated plasma designed to melt rock to ore, and enemies to molten slag.”- Warframe
Am I the only one who likes watching things melt? The cheese melting inside my sandwich in the microwave. My ice cream melting on my cake. Enemies melting before my feet. Just me?
Well, if you can sympathize with me, then the Atomos is the portable microwave for you- I mean Grineer particle cannon. Totally what I meant. The first secondary on our list; this death laser can be had at mastery rank 5.
The Atomos packs the highest status chance on any weapon we’ve looked at thus far! Along with that comes a beam with innate heat damage that can be chained with multiple enemies.
The weapon is obtainable from the market. Here’s a detailed video explaining all you need to know about it:
The Dread is a deadly bow and arrow, that's satisfying to use.
“Dread is the calling card of the Stalker. It fires arrows that can decapitate.” - Warframe
If you really wanna push your space ninja playstyle to the limit (or you want to complete your Link weapon set), then you’ll be in need of a silent weapon. A bow and arrow.
Not just any bow and arrow, though. The Dread is the Stalkers’ signature primary weapon! If you’ve had the displeasure of going toe to toe with him, you likely got a taste of this weapon’s devastating force.
Your enemies will either die from your first shot, or bleed to death, because of it. The slash procs come in abundance on this weapon, which causes your foes to bleed like there’s no tomorrow!
How to get your hands on it:
What makes the Dread awesome:
Very high slash damage;
One of the highest base critical chances of all weapons in the game (50%);
High Status chance, which can further enhance your slash procs with the right build;
Innate 2.5-meter punch through on charged shots;
Silent weapon. Good for stealth;
Killed enemies’ corpses fly to the walls, damaging other enemies that obstruct their path (like the Boltor).
The Galatine is an awesome heavy blade for newcomers.
“With massive charged power and the ability to hit up to five foes in a single swing, the Galatine sword is the heavy artillery of melee weapons.” – Warframe
Alright picture this. You just got back from a long day of doing escort bounties in the Plains of Eidolon or farming your nightwave challenges. You wanna let loose and effortlessly slay Infested enemies in a survival. What do you do?
The answer is the Galatine. A heavy blade that’s literally too big to fit on your screen. That’s right Tenno, this weapon is an all-in-one high range mob slayer, high damage blade and highly effective back scratcher (scratch that last one, pun unintended).
Don’t let the weight of this thing fool you, though. It has the highest maximum base attack speed of all heavy blades. The high-status chance makes this one a no-brainer, if you’re in need of a weapon that can deal slash procs en masse.
How to get it:
How to get the Galatine
What makes the Galatine awesome:
High slash damage
High status chance
Attack speed of 1 (fastest of all heavy blades)
Galatine details:
https://warframe.fandom.com/wiki/Galatine
10. Xoris (Good Throwable Melee)
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The Xoris is our first throwable melee weapon on the list. It's powerful and fun!
“An obscure glaive weapon of Corpus provenance, intrinsically linked to Specter technology. The Xoris strikes rapidly and with great devastation. It is capable of chaining combos infinitely.” – Warframe
On the other end of the melee spectrum, we have a light weapon! So light that you can throw it like a boomerang.
The visual effects on the Xoris are so overkill that it reminds me of those glowing frisbees, that all the cool kids would play with. Like me, if you never got the joy of taking those pretty toys for a swing in your childhood, you now get the pleasure of doing so in Warframe (with a pinch of death thrown into the mix)!
With an infinite combo duration, getting in as many hits as you possibly can should be your number one priority.
How to get it:
What makes the Xoris awesome:
High slash damage;
Infinite combo duration, benefits highly from mods like “Blood Rush”;
Second highest critical chance of all glaive style weapons (20%);
Highest critical multiplier of all glaives;
Glaive throw is silent;
Can be used together with a one-handed secondary weapon.
The Hek is an incredible shotgun, that can destroy enemies at the mid-game!
“The Hek is a powerful shotgun that fires its shots with a tight spread, making it efficient at medium range as long as its strong recoil is properly managed.”- Warframe
Sometimes you just don’t want to keep spraying down every enemy in sight. Sometimes you just wanna one-shot everything you see. Sometimes you just wanna kick back and relax.
Well don’t kick back too hard, because the Hek’s recoil could send you flying too! It’s the first shotgun on our list, and it packs a punch.
This weapon’s a good matchup for armored enemies, due to its high puncture damage. The incredibly high-status chance also makes it a solid elemental damage dealing monster!
Where to get it:
What makes the Hek awesome:
High puncture damage;
Very high-status chance;
Innate 7 pellet multishot;
Can use the Hek augment “Scattered Justice,” which adds an extra 200% multishot.
Hek details:
https://warframe.fandom.com/wiki/Hek
8. Skiajati (Super Good Nikana)
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The Skiajati is one amazing Nikana that slices enemies with style!
“Forged of steel grafted from Umbra's flesh, this elegant nikana unites with its Warframe to form a single being of seething purpose.” – Warframe
Being a badass is one thing, but being a badass with style is another, said the Lotus…she definitely said that. Finishing your foes with grace is something that’s highly sought after by many Tenno.
That’s why we have the Skiajati. As weird as that name may sound (only nailed the pronunciation on my 7th try), the stats more than make up for it!
This is one of those few gems that excels at both critical damage and status chance. Thus, your options for builds are quite varied with this weapon.
This glorious blade can be had as a reward for completing the “Sacrifice” quest! Here’s an in-depth look at it:
What makes the Skiajati awesome:
High slash damage;
High critical chance;
Decent critical multiplier;
Fastest attack speed and highest status chance of all Nikanas;
Performing finishers grants you invisibility for 5 seconds.
Skiajati details:
https://warframe.fandom.com/wiki/Skiajati
7. Fulmin (Awesome Two-in-One)
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The Fulmin is a versatile weapon that is adaptable to multiple scenarios.
“Strike with silent lightning or the pummeling drum of thunder. Alternate between stealthy short-range electrical discharge, and automatic lightning gun. Faster mode-switch when used by Wisp.”- Warframe
By now, you’re probably in awe, because of the sheer complexity and diversity of Warfrane’s weaponry. What if I told you it gets even more complex?
That’s right, the Fulmin’s that two-in-one sandwich you always loved to treat yourself to as a kid. Well…without all the metal and uhh…forget I said that! It comes packing a full auto mode and a semi-auto mode.
Each mode acts like its’ own separate gun, because this weapon is just that good. When I say each one’s different, I mean it! The stats are almost completely different between both modes.
I assume you’re convinced, so I’ll go right ahead and put a video showing how you can grab one:
What makes the Fulmin awesome:
Innate electricity damage, very good against robotics;
Semi-auto mode has high critical chance, decent critical multiplier and good status chance;
Semi-auto mode is also silent, which makes this weapon amazing for stealth;
Full-auto mode has high critical chance, high critical multiplier and perfect accuracy;
Does not require ammo pickups as ammo regenerates over time.
Fulmin details:
https://warframe.fandom.com/wiki/Fulmin
6. Hystrix (Elemental Switching Secondary)
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The Hystrix can switch the type of elemental damage it deals on the fly!
“Fire, ice, electricity, or poison: choose an element and launch a flurry of deadly quills. This versatile sidearm is Khora's signature weapon.” – Warframe
Let’s face it. Warframe has a gazillion elemental status effects, that each have their ups and downs. Deciding which one best suits your particular needs can be a pain.
Not only that, but you also need a high-status chance on your weapons to even get those effects to proc! Talk about a real buzz kill. But hold your horses, Tenno.
The Hystrix is the solution you’re looking for! Imagine a pizza with all of your favorite toppings (cheese pizza FTW, though!). That’s what you get with the Hystrix…minus all the uh…nutrition of course. You get a weapon with 4 alternate fire modes that guarantees elemental procs on enemies. Quadruple whammy!
Sounds like a sweet deal, right? Here’s where you can get it:
How to get the Hystrix
What makes the Hystrix awesome:
High puncture damage;
Alternate fire can cycle between heat, toxin, electricity and cold quills. Each quill is guaranteed to apply an elemental proc.
The Synoid Gammacor is an amazing beam weapon that can take you into the endgame!
“Deployed by the Cephalon Suda, once a data-analyzing instrument, the Gammacor's main focus is defense.” – Warframe
So, after the Atomos you still haven’t had your fill of death lasers? Well, you’re in luck, Tenno, because there’s an even better one; eager to decimate your foes for you.
The Cephalon Suda variant of the Gammacor, the Synoid Gammacor, promises to deliver death to your enemies with efficiency, unmatched power and a badass laser.
Tired of those shielded Corpus bastards? Give’em a taste of this weapon and they’ll wish Nef Anyo had raised the budget on their space suits! It’s innate magnetic damage virtually deletes enemy shields.
But don’t take it from me, try it yourself:
What makes the Synoid Gammacor awesome:
Innate magnetic damage, highly effective against enemy shields;
The Ignis Wraith promises to burn your foes to a crisp.
“A blood-red variant of this destructive flamethrower.”
Some people just wanna watch the world burn. If you’re among that crowd, look no further than the Ignis Wraith.
A fan-favorite among many, including yours truly, this flamethrower is incredibly handy for burning away mobs of enemies quickly, or inflicting status effects with a high degree of efficiency.
Indeed, this weapon is among the most used in Warframe. And with such an eye-grabbing design, you’d be mistaken not to at least take this beauty for a swing.
Go on, light’em up:
What makes the Ignis Wraith awesome
Innate heat damage;
Decent Critical chance;
Very good critical multiplier;
Insanely high-status chance;
Infinite punch through;
Only 0.5 ammo is consumed per damage tick;
Largest beam thickness of any continuous fire weapon at 0.15m.
The Amprex is a super fun, and super effective AoE weapon.
“The Amprex rifle fires a continuous beam of high voltage electricity that arcs among nearby enemies. This weapon excels at crowd control.”- Warframe
We’ve seen a flamethrower, death lasers, a two-in-one and a four-in-one weapons. These are all weapon types you’ve likely encountered at some point in other games. However, I bet you’ve never seen an electricitythrower before! Hmmm that’s not quite right…thunderthrower?
Well, as much as I need to come up with a good name for this thing before Thor comes for me, you need to try it! Seriously, the Amprex is every AoE lovers’ dream.
It fires chainable electricity towards enemies, that can be made incredibly deadly with the right setup, even for Steel Path!
Try it, you won’t regret it:
What makes the Amprex awesome:
Innate electricity damage;
Second highest critical chance of all automatic and continuous fire primary weapons (32%);
Good critical multiplier;
High status chance;
Great accuracy;
Beam can be chained with a maximum of 3 enemies, like the Atomos;
2. Nami Skyla Prime (Best Dual Swords in Warframe)
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The Nami Skyla Prime is every SAO fan's dream.
“Forged by a forgotten master, these exquisite blades are bounty from a golden-age long gone.” – Warframe
You know what’s cool? A sword. You know what’s even cooler? Two swords. If you’ve been wanting to unleash your inner Kirito, the Nami Skyla Prime is the dual sword for you.
Currently, the best dual sword weapon in the game, the Nami Skyla Prime is a highly beloved melee weapon that shreds enemies apart with insane DPS and great attack range.
Also, look at the design of this thing! You can’t tell me that doesn’t look awesome. Go on, try. I’m still waiting.
How to obtain it:
What makes the Nami Skyla Prime awesome:
Third highest base damage of all dual swords;
High slash damage;
High critical chance;
Second highest status chance of all dual swords;
Fastest attack speed of all dual swords.
Nami Skyla Prime details: https://warframe.fandom.com/wiki/Nami_Skyla_Prime
1. Gram Prime (Best Melee)
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The Gram Prime excels at everything you could possibly ask for.
“Born anew, the father of swords returns.” – Warframe
Last but not least, we have another heavy blade. One that can actually fit on your screen this time too. It’s the Gram Prime.
Ironic that they would call a heavy weapon Gram, huh? Ok I’ll stop. But seriously, this thing scales amazingly into endgame missions like Steel Path.
It has stunning critical chance and a deadly critical multiplier. The status chance is equally as marvelous.
Take a look:
What makes the Gram Prime awesome:
Second highest base damage of all heavy blades in the game;
Highest critical chance of all heavy blades;
Highest critical multiplier of all heavy blades;
Second highest status chance of all heavy blades;
It looks badass. Seriously, look at it.
Gram Prime details: https://warframe.fandom.com/wiki/Gram_Prime
Now you’ve seen a variety of cool little doo-dads, each with their own little quirk or gimmick. Remember that these puppies are only as fierce as the mods you put on them. So, from one Tenno to another, please go farm your 60/60 mods if you haven’t already. You’re sorely missing out.
Stomping Goomba after Goomba, blazing through level after level, Ahmad nabbed too many coins to count. It's over 9000! A gamer at birth, with an insatiable appetite for adventure.
Gamer Since:
2007
Currently Playing:
Fortnite, Warframe
Top 3 Favorite Games:
Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Rocket League, Dishonored
