The Ultimate Guide to the Best Weapons in Warframe: Rankings and Recommendations

Alright, Tenno. Let’s dive into firepower. You’re in deep with Grineer, Corpus, and Infested. They all want you gone. Those starting weapons? Not great. You need something that packs a punch. Ditch that peashooter, because we’re exploring the arsenal of destruction in Warframe.

General Weapon Strength & Tier Lists: Some Guns are Just Better

You want to vaporize crowds and turn bosses into dust. You’re asking, “What’s the strongest weapon in Warframe?” or perhaps, “What is the most powerful weapon?” Power isn’t just big numbers. It’s about how those numbers perform in battle. Incarnons are currently at the top of the list. Don’t worry; we have options for purists too.

Here’s a simple rundown of fantastic weapons. They show off the Incarnon evolutions and present alternatives for those who have yet to adopt evolving weapons.

1. Torid Incarnon: The Kuva Nukor’s Heavy Cousin. Remember the Kuva Nukor? Imagine it, but in rifle form. The Torid Incarnon blankets areas in clouds of corrosive and heat. If you want crowd control that annihilates, this is it. It’s a tactical nuke disguised as a rifle. Just watch that fire.
2. Latron Prime Incarnon: DMR Meets Grenade Launcher. The Latron Prime is a reliable DMR. But in Incarnon form? It feels like an artillery piece. Those grenades explode with enough force to scatter enemies. Need to clear a corridor? Latron Prime Incarnon is your answer. Enemies won’t stand a chance.
3. Felarx Incarnon: Shotgun Surgery, Elevated. The Felarx Incarnon takes shotgun brutality up a notch. It delivers powerful blasts that can stagger enemies. Think of it as a surgical shotgun; anything in your sights is deleted. Use it when you want to make a bold statement.
4. Cedo: Glaive-tastic Mayhem. Not an Incarnon, but the Cedo deserves mention. This shotgun-glaive hybrid is pure fun. It fires like a shotgun and throws a glaive that becomes a status bomb. It rewards aggressive play and tactical thinking. Throwing a glaive and priming enemies feels cool.
5. Burston Prime Incarnon: Burst Fire Evolved. The Burston Prime evolves into something incredible. It keeps its controlled burst fire but enhances damage and status effects. It slices through targets like they’re made of paper. If you want precision and deadly bursts, the Burston Prime Incarnon is perfect.
6. Kuva Tonkor: Bouncing Betty of Boom. The Kuva Tonkor is a grenade launcher that excels in area denial. It launches grenades that bounce and explode, causing chaos. Precision isn’t key; saturate the area with explosions. It’s perfect for artillery support at the front lines.
7. Tenet Arca Plasmor: Corridor Cleaner Extraordinaire. The Arca Plasmor dominates hallways. The Tenet version is even deadlier. It fires pure plasma waves that obliterate anything in its path. For those up close and personal encounters? This boomstick erases enemies with ease.
8. Fulmin Prime: Silent but Deadly (and Electrifying). The Fulmin Prime adapts well. It can switch from stealth mode to a full-auto lightning spewer. Both are effective and deal high damage with strong status procs. If you need versatility, Fulmin Prime does it all, packing a serious punch.

Best Melee Weapons: Getting Up Close and Personal

Now, let’s discuss melee weapons. Melee in Warframe isn’t just a backup; it’s a powerful combo-building tool. A common question arises: “Which is the powerful weapon of God?” If we consider mythology, Shiva’s trident is often mentioned as a powerful weapon. However, let’s focus on the Origin System.

While we don’t wield divine artifacts yet, some melee options are incredible. For pure melee dominance, look no further than the Kronen Prime.

The Kronen Prime is fantastic. It causes immense damage, increases your speed, and produces Slash procs easily. Fodder enemies? Turned to salad. Armored foes? Shredded cheese. Most bosses? Inconvenienced. If you seek melee prowess, the Kronen Prime ensures victory. It’s almost unfair.

Best Prime Weapons: Gilded Goodness

Now, let’s discuss the shiny weapons. “What’s the best prime weapon in Warframe?” The question lingers. Prime weapons are upgraded versions, featuring improved stats and flashy designs. Yes, Kronen Prime is a top-tier Prime weapon. But what’s “best” depends on personal style.

Best Secondary Weapons: Sidearms of Savagery

Secondaries often get overlooked, but they pack a punch. Forget the sidearm mentality; these can rival primary weapons. Is there a single “best” secondary in Warframe?Nope. Variety makes space-ninja life exciting, and secondaries excel in versatility. But some do stand out.

for their sheer power and utility.

We discuss weapons like the Laetum (Incarnon). Yes, Incarnon secondaries exist and are ridiculously strong. The Tenet Cycron, a stylish beam weapon that melts faces. The Kuva Nukor, our status-spreading radiation king. The Epitaph, a primer for condition overload combos. These are more than backup weapons; they deal damage in compact packages. Don’t overlook the power of a good secondary, Tenno. It can change a mission’s outcome.

Specific Weapon Types: Delving into the Archetypes

Alright, categories are good, but we need to be specific. Let’s break down weapon types and find the best of the best.

Strongest Blade: The Razor’s Edge

“What is the strongest blade in Warframe?” A broad question, Tenno. Blades vary – one-handed swords, heavy blades, and dual swords. “Strongest” holds different meanings; highest damage, fastest speed, or best status application. No single blade rules them all, but we can point to top contenders.

Best One-Handed Sword: Pangolin Prime – A Cut Above the Rest

One-handed swords are classic for a reason. They’re versatile and balanced. Many point to the Pangolin Prime as the best one-handed sword. It combines damage, attack speed, and status chance, making it reliable for encounters. One-handed swords have a history, and the Pangolin Prime proves their enduring effectiveness. It’s refined, both elegant and deadly, perfect for Tenno who want a stylish blade.

Best Heavy Blade Weapons: Swing Big or Go Home

Heavy blades mean power. These aren’t about finesse; they deliver blows that send enemies sprawling. Yet, “not all heavy blades are created equal.” Here are some heavy hitters:

1. Gram Prime: The Granddaddy of Greatswords. The Gram Prime is classic for a reason. It hits hard, and its range is excellent. Hordes of enemies don’t stand a chance against it.
2. Paracesis: Sentient Slayer Supreme. Strong and unique, the Paracesis levels up to Rank 40 with extra mod capacity. It’s designed for bonus damage against Sentients, making it invaluable.
3. Galatine Prime: Another Greatsword Great. Similar to the Gram Prime, the Galatine Prime offers raw power and is faster. It feels different yet fulfills a similar role.
4. War: Stalker’s Signature Smasher. War drops from the Stalker and is harder to acquire. Its stats are solid, and it offers unique bragging rights.
5. Scindo Prime: A Chopping Champion. Raw damage defines the Scindo Prime. It’s slower but causes chaos when it connects. Expect explosions.
6. Zenistar: Area Denial Axe of Awesome. The Zenistar deploys a flaming disc with a charged attack for area damage. “A flaming war axe makes players feel like a devastating presence,” and indeed it does.

Best Bow: Arrows of Annihilation

Bows in Warframe are unique weapons. They aren’t simple hunting bows; these are high-tech instruments of destruction. “What is the strongest bow in Warframe?” Let’s look at contenders:

1. Kuva Bramma: Explosive Arrow Extravaganza. The Kuva Bramma is a Grineer bow, introduced in The Old Blood update. “It packs more punch than what Lenz used to be praised for.” Its arrows explode on impact, dealing area damage.
2. Proboscis Cernos: Crowd Control King. This bow grapples and pulls enemies together before firing arrows. It excels at crowd-control combos.
3. Nataruk: The New Kid on the Block (and Seriously Powerful). The Nataruk is new and powerful. High damage and crit multiplier make it great for single-target and clearing crowds.
4. Cernos Prime: Reliable and Refined. The Cernos Prime balances damage, fire rate, and accuracy. It’s dependable for various missions.
5. Mutalist Cernos: Status Slinging Specialist. This bow creates toxin clouds on impact, dealing damage over time while applying Toxin status effect.
6. Zhuge Prime: Rapid-Fire Fury. This crossbow fires bolts quickly and is less about single-shot power than sustained damage.
7. Daikyu: Pinpoint Precision. A slow-firing bow that hits hard with great accuracy for long-range targets.
8. Dread: Stalker’s Shadowy Sniper. Another Stalker drop, Dread is silent with high critical chance and damage. It works well for stealth approaches.

Gunblades: When You Can’t Decide Between Gun and Blade, Pick Both

Gunblades combine guns and blades. They offer unique advantages. “Gunblades are one of the strongest melee archetypes in Warframe because they fire projectiles while benefiting from a melee combo multiplier.”

The showdown? Redeemer Prime vs. Stropha. Redeemer Prime was once the king. It fires pellets and excels at melee. However, the Stropha focuses on strong melee hits with a charged attack that unleashes devastating damage. For raw power in melee, the Stropha holds the crown. Redeemer Prime remains strong for ranged capabilities, but Stropha takes melee mayhem to another level.

Weapon Stats and Attributes: Decoding the Numbers

Stats can seem overwhelming. But they are vital for maximizing damage and creating your ideal loadout. Here are key attributes.

Highest Finisher Damage: Rapiers – Style Points and Brutality

Finishers are stylish execution moves on stunned enemies. They deal massive damage with the right weapon type. When discussing finisher damage, “Rapiers have the highest damage multipliers on Finisher attacks.” They combine high finishers with “Forced Slash procs,” resulting in devastation against single targets. They synergize well with abilities like Marked for Death, amplifying their potential. If you want style and power, grab a rapier.

Strongest Damage Type: Viral – The HP Eraser

Damage types in Warframe are complex. Each interacts differently with enemies. If discussing the absolute strong “damage type,” it’s generally agreed to be Viral. “In general, Viral is the strongest damage type. It offers the game’s strongest status effect, boosting all damage to the target’s health.”

HP.” Let that sink in. Multiplies damage to HP. That’s big. Viral status stacks to 75% extra damage, making enemies very vulnerable. The cherry on top? “Most players pair Viral with Heat to deal more damage against flesh and strip armor through Heat status.” Viral + Heat works for a reason. Viral shreds health, Heat strips armor, adds damage over time. A symphony of destruction. If you ask “What Is The Best Damage Type?”, Viral is often a safe bet. It turns enemies from “threat” to “paste” fast.

Weapons with Slash Procs: Kronen Prime – Slash Supremacy (Again)

We mentioned Slash procs before. They’re powerful. Slash damage bypasses armor, deals damage directly to health over time. Some weapons unleash a torrent of Slash procs. Take the Kronen Prime. It excels in melee, inflicting “dozens of Slash procs easily.” Those procs make Kronen Prime effective against armored targets, bosses. It’s about lingering damage that eats through health bars. Slash procs are vital for high-level Warframe gameplay. Weapons that excel at applying them stay in high demand.

Weapon Acquisition: Build Your Arsenal

Okay, you want these weapons. How do you get them? Let’s cover specific acquisition questions.

How to get Amprex: Energy Lab Enlightenment

Want the Amprex’s chain-lightning chaos? It’s simple. “How to get amprex? The Amprex’s blueprint can be researched from the Energy Lab in the dojo.” Dojo research needed. Join a clan, access their Dojo, and go to the Energy Lab. Research the blueprint, gather resources, build your Amprex. Easy as that.

How to get Ignis Wraith: Clan Chemistry and Baro Bargains

The Ignis Wraith is a fiery fury flamethrower. Getting it is more involved. “How to get Ignis Wraith? A fully built Ignis Wraith may be sold by Baro Ki’Teer for 250,000 Credits.” Check Baro Ki’Teer’s inventory at Relays. He sometimes sells it for a hefty price. Alternatively, “The blueprint is available for research in Clan rank 10 and above in the Chem Lab.” If your clan is high enough, you can research the blueprint and build it. Research or Baro bargain, those are your ways to go.

How to get Fieldrons: Corpus Container Chaos and Bounty Bonanza

Fieldrons. Those annoying resources are always low when crafting Corpus weapons. “How to get fieldrons in Warframe? Its blueprint can be researched from the Energy Lab.” Like the Amprex, find the Fieldron blueprint in the Energy Lab. You can also find them in the wild! “3 are given as rewards in Corpus Invasion missions.” Invasions are good for that. Also, “Found in Rare and Reinforced Corpus Storage Containers.” Start container hunting! Lastly, “Sometimes as Tier 4 Bounty rewards in Orb Vallis after completing a stage.” Orb Vallis bounties can drop Fieldrons. So, Dojo research, Invasions, containers, and Orb Vallis bounties = many ways to stock up on Fieldrons.

Weapon Ranking & Mastery: Level Up Arsenal (and Your MR)

Leveling weapons strengthens them and boosts your Mastery Rank (MR), unlocking more weapons, Warframes, and content. Let’s discuss MR and weapon leveling.

MR Gained Per Weapon Level: Mastery Point Math

“How much MR does a weapon give?” It’s simple. “Leveling a weapon to its maximum (30) grants 3,000 Mastery Points.” That breaks down to “Each level provides 100 Mastery Points.” Level from 0 to 30 and get 3,000 MR boost. For comparison, “a Warframe or companion gives 6,000 Mastery Points.” Weapons give half the MR of Warframes/companions, but every bit helps.

Weapons That Can Exceed Rank 30: Beyond Level Cap

Think Rank 30 is it? Think again! Some weapons can exceed that. “What is over rank 30 in Warframe? Paracesis, Kuva weapons, and Tenet weapons exceed Rank 30 by 2 ranks per polarization by Forma.” Forma lets you level up beyond 30. It’s worth it. They “will grant mastery points for each additional level until Rank 40 at 5 Forma, totaling 4,000 mastery.” So, every Forma applies (up to five) lets you level up two more ranks and gain extra MR. Paracesis, Kuva weapons, and Tenet weapons boost MR and break level limits.

Early Game Weapons: Starting Strong

All these endgame weapons are great, but what about starting out? “What is the best weapon in Warframe early game?” You need something accessible, effective, and cost-efficient. “What are the best early game weapons?” Here are good starting options:

Boltor: Reliable Rifle Rigidity. “Boltor is a solid rifle that’s MR2 and easy to obtain. It worked really well for me when I started.” The Boltor fires bolts. It’s accurate, decent damage, available early. A great starting rifle.

Xoris: Glaive Goodness Right Out of the Gate. “Xoris (glaive, melee) is accessible once you reach Phobos after the Solaris United and Deadlock Protocol quests.” The Xoris is a glaive tied to Deadlock Protocol questline. It’s powerful, has unique mechanics, and is obtainable early in the game. A fantastic early melee choice.

Kitguns: Customizable Pistols of Power. “Kitguns require some work to make but are available fairly early.” Kitguns are modular pistols made in Fortuna. They require a bit of standing grind with…