In the vast, unforgiving landscapes of Warframe, the primary weapon is your constant companion, the extension of your will in the face of relentless hordes. Amidst a plethora of formidable choices, discerning the finest among them requires careful examination and adaptation to your unique playstyle and strategic preferences. This comprehensive guide unveils the zenith of Warframe’s primary armaments, empowering you to conquer the challenges that lie ahead with unparalleled firepower and efficiency. Prepare yourself to delve into the arsenal of the Tenno and discover the weapons that will forge your path to supremacy.
When selecting the best primary weapon for your Warframe arsenal, versatility, damage potential, and handling characteristics should be paramount considerations. Among the esteemed shotguns, the Tigris Prime reigns supreme, its devastating burst damage capable of obliterating clustered enemies in a single thunderous discharge. The Tenet Arca Plasmor, a formidable automatic rifle, unleashes a torrent of plasma bolts that can effortlessly shred through hordes, its inherent accuracy and range making it a dependable choice in any encounter. Should your preferences lean towards precision and tactical finesse, the Lanka, a high-impact sniper rifle, excels in delivering pinpoint shots that eliminate targets with surgical precision, even at extreme distances.
Beyond these exceptional weapons, the Corinth Prime, a versatile pump-action shotgun, offers a unique blend of power and versatility, its secondary fire mode launching explosive grenades that decimate crowds and obstacles alike. For those seeking a balance between damage and rate of fire, the Soma Prime, a rapid-firing assault rifle, delivers a sustained barrage of bullets that can overwhelm even the most formidable opponents. Alternatively, the Ignis Wraith, a flamethrower-style weapon, continuously emits a stream of fire that can roast enemies alive, making it an ideal choice for crowd control and area denial situations. With such an array of formidable primary weapons at your disposal, the path to triumph in Warframe’s relentless conflicts becomes a tantalizing prospect, empowering you to emerge as a true master of the battlefield.
Precision Rifles: The Sniper’s Choice
For those who prefer a more precise and calculated approach to combat, precision rifles offer unparalleled accuracy and lethal potential. These weapons are designed for long-range engagements, allowing players to eliminate targets with surgical precision.
The king of precision rifles is undoubtedly the Rubico Prime. Boasting an exceptional base accuracy, zoom capability, and critical chance, Rubico Prime is a sniper’s dream. Its innate Radiation damage also makes it effective against Corpus shields and infested targets.
The Rubico Prime shines in stealth missions, where players can line up their shots and eliminate enemies without raising any alarms. Its high critical chance synergizes well with the Rifle Amp mod, which further enhances critical damage. Additionally, the Rubico Prime’s signature mod, Hush, silences gunfire, making it even more deadly in covert operations.
Other notable precision rifles include:
| Weapon |
Notable Features |
| Vectis Prime |
High damage, armor penetration, but slow fire rate |
| Snipetron Vandal |
Energy-based damage, high status chance |
| Exergis |
Unique explosive rounds, area-of-effect damage |
The Versatile Assault Rifles
Assault rifles in Warframe strike an exceptional balance between firepower, versatility, and handling. They excel in diverse combat situations, making them reliable choices for players of all skill levels.
Burst Rifles
Burst rifles unleash a controlled three-round burst with each trigger pull. This precision fire mode favors accuracy and damage output. The Scourge’s high critical damage and status chance make it an excellent pick for eliminating heavily armored enemies. Alternatively, the Tenora’s rapid fire rate allows for swift takedowns of weaker opponents.
Semiautomatic Rifles
Semiautomatic rifles emphasize precise and methodical fire. They offer a balanced blend of damage, accuracy, and recoil. The Vandal is a classic choice, renowned for its consistent damage output and respectable critical stats. The Boltor Prime, however, reigns supreme with its exceptional critical chance, damage, and versatility, making it a formidable option against a wide range of enemies.
| Name |
Type |
Mastery Rank |
| Scourge |
Burst Rifle |
11 |
| Tenora |
Burst Rifle |
8 |
| Vandal |
Semiautomatic Rifle |
5 |
| Boltor Prime |
Semiautomatic Rifle |
15 |
When choosing an assault rifle, consider your playstyle and the specific combat scenarios you encounter. Burst rifles excel at precise bursts and high damage output, while semiautomatic rifles emphasize consistent damage and versatility. By selecting the right rifle for your needs, you’ll gain a versatile and effective primary weapon that will serve you well in countless battles.
High-powered Shotguns: Close-Range Dominance
For those seeking ultimate power at close quarters, shotguns reign supreme in Warframe. Delivering devastating bursts of damage, they effectively control cramped corridors and dominate melee encounters. Among the most potent options, several stand out.
Tigris Prime
The Tigris Prime is a legendary shotgun cherished by many. Its four massive barrels unleash a thunderous roar, vaporizing enemies with each pull of the trigger. With its formidable critical multiplier and innate Punch Through, the Tigris Prime effortlessly pierces through multiple targets, leaving a trail of shattered foes in its wake.
| Stat |
Value |
| Damage |
10,500 per pellet |
| Critical Chance |
50% |
| Critical Multiplier |
4.8x |
Sobek
The Sobek is a versatile shotgun that excels in both close-range destruction and crowd control. Its unique alt-fire mode scatters a devastating barrage of projectiles, tearing through multiple enemies simultaneously. Additionally, the Sobek’s innate toxin damage provides a subtle but effective DoT effect, slowly draining the life force of its victims.
| Stat |
Value |
| Damage |
1,800 per pellet |
| Pellet Count |
9 |
| Status Chance |
25% |
Vaykor Hek
The Vaykor Hek is a hybrid masterpiece that blends raw firepower with precision engineering. Its tightly grouped shots deliver incredible damage per second, making it ideal for sustained engagements. Furthermore, the Hek’s considerable magazine capacity allows for extended periods of sustained fire without the need for frequent reloading.
| Stat |
Value |
| Damage |
1,500 per pellet |
| Pellet Count |
10 |
| Fire Rate |
4.5 rounds per second |
Plasma Rifles: A Ray of Destruction
Plasma rifles are a type of primary weapon in Warframe that excel at dealing sustained damage at medium to long range. They fire bolts of superheated plasma that can pierce through armor and deal high damage to shields and health.
Variants
There are numerous plasma rifle variants available in Warframe, each with its unique stats and abilities. Some of the most popular variants include the Tenora, Flux Rifle, and Prisma Gorgon.
Kuva Bramma
The Kuva Bramma is a devastating plasma rifle that deals massive area-of-effect damage. It fires bolts of plasma that explode on impact, dealing significant damage to multiple enemies at once. Additionally, the Kuva Bramma has a high critical chance and status chance, making it a versatile weapon that can be tailored to different playstyles.
Here are some key stats and features of the Kuva Bramma:
| Stat |
Value |
| Damage |
1,200 |
| Critical Chance |
25% |
| Status Chance |
22% |
| Magazine Size |
10 |
Concussion Shotguns: Stunning Enemies into Submission
Concussion shotguns are a unique class of weapons in Warframe that excel at crowd control. Their heavily modified shells unleash a powerful kinetic impact, capable of stunning and staggering enemies on impact. This versatility makes them ideal for disabling large groups of foes and clearing high-density areas.
Penta
The Penta is a fully automatic shotgun that launches explosive homing charges. Its unique design allows it to target multiple enemies simultaneously, making it highly effective against large crowds. Furthermore, its explosive damage can bypass barriers and cover, making it a potent choice for circumventing obstacles.
Kohm
The Kohm is a heavy shotgun with a punishing rate of fire and high damage output. Its concussive rounds deal substantial impact damage, knocking down and stunning enemies in its path. The Kohm’s heavy weight and slow reload time come at a cost, but its exceptional crowd control capabilities more than make up for its shortcomings.
Stalker’s Hate
Stalker’s Hate is a powerful automatic shotgun with excellent precision and critical chance. Its neurotoxin-infused shells not only deal corrosive damage but also stun and poison enemies, making it a deadly choice for both close and medium-range engagements. While it lacks the crowd control capabilities of the Penta and Kohm, the Stalker’s Hate makes up for it with its blistering damage output.
Strun Wraith
The Strun Wraith is a versatile pump-action shotgun that combines high damage with moderate spread. Its concussive rounds can stun and knock down enemies, while its high status chance allows it to proc elemental effects with ease. The Strun Wraith is a solid choice for both general-purpose combat and crowd control.
Tigris Prime
The Tigris Prime is the holy grail of concussion shotguns. This dual-barreled beast unleashes devastating shells that deal immense impact damage and knock enemies into oblivion. Its critical and status chance are also exceptional, making it a powerhouse in both close-quarters and mid-range combat. While the Tigris Prime excels in single-target takedowns, its slow reload time can hinder its performance against larger crowds.
| Name |
Damage |
Status |
Critical |
| Penta |
Impact/Explosive |
5% |
20% |
| Kohm |
Impact |
5% |
10% |
| Stalker’s Hate |
Corrosive |
15% |
25% |
| Strun Wraith |
Impact |
10% |
15% |
| Tigris Prime |
Impact |
15% |
30% |
The Devastating Sniper Rifles
Sniper rifles are the epitome of precision and long-range lethality in Warframe. They excel at taking down distant foes with pin-point accuracy, making them invaluable in a wide range of missions. Here are some of the most devastating sniper rifles in the game:
Rubico Prime
The Rubico Prime is the ultimate sniper rifle, boasting an impressive critical chance, critical multiplier, and status chance. Its high accuracy and stability make it a formidable weapon for both veteran snipers and newcomers alike.
Lanka
The Lanka is a versatile sniper rifle with a unique mechanic. Its shots charge up over time, increasing the damage and piercing capabilities. This versatility makes it a great choice for taking on a variety of enemies, including heavily armored targets.
Vectis Prime
The Vectis Prime is a classic sniper rifle that combines stopping power and precision. It has a slower fire rate than other rifles, but its high damage and accuracy make it a deadly weapon in the hands of skilled snipers.
Baza Prime
The Baza Prime is an automatic sniper rifle that sacrifices some damage for increased rate of fire. This makes it a great choice for taking on multiple targets or for providing suppressive fire.
Vulkar Wraith
The Vulkar Wraith is a semi-automatic sniper rifle with exceptional range and accuracy. Its unique built-in suppressor makes it ideal for stealth operations.
Zenith
The Zenith is a unique sniper rifle that fires energy beams. It has a high rate of fire and can pierce through multiple enemies. Its beam also deals bonus damage to shields, making it a great choice for taking on Corpus forces.
| Sniper Rifle |
Critical Chance |
Critical Multiplier |
Status Chance |
| Rubico Prime |
40% |
3.0x |
30% |
| Lanka |
32% |
2.8x |
24% |
| Vectis Prime |
25% |
3.5x |
20% |
Dual Wielding Pistols: Rapid-Fire Mayhem
For those who prefer a more direct and chaotic approach, dual-wielding pistols offer relentless rapid-fire capabilities, allowing you to unleash a torrential downpour of bullets upon your enemies. These weapons excel at close to medium-range engagements, providing exceptional crowd control and the potential for staggering your targets.
Akimbo Supra
The Akimbo Supra is a powerful dual-wielded pistol that combines a high rate of fire with impressive damage output. Its unique Supra Vandal beam-like projectiles inflict significant damage with each shot, making it an excellent choice for mowing down hordes of enemies.
Akmagnus
The Akmagnus is an iconic dual pistol that boasts exceptional accuracy and a lightning-fast fire rate. Its twin barrels deliver a relentless barrage of bullets, making it ideal for eliminating targets quickly and efficiently.
AkJagara Prime
The AkJagara Prime is a sleek and deadly dual pistol that excels at precision and long-range engagements. Its low recoil and pinpoint accuracy allow for exceptional headshot potential, making it a favorite among those who prefer to take down enemies from afar.
Akstiletto Prime
The Akstiletto Prime are stealthy and agile dual pistols that prioritize mobility and rapid-fire capabilities. Their high magazine capacity and exceptional reload speed allow for sustained fire, making them perfect for engaging targets on the move.
Kuva Twin Stubbas
The Kuva Twin Stubbas are a formidable dual pistol that boasts devastating critical hit potential. Their innate high critical chance and multiplier make each shot a potential one-hit kill, turning even the most formidable opponents into piles of gibs.
Twin Grakatas
The Twin Grakatas are a fan-favorite dual pistol that exemplifies brute force and firepower. Their immense magazine capacity and relentless fire rate allow for overwhelming enemy suppression, making them a terror in close-range engagements.
Pyrana Prime
The Pyrana Prime is a unique dual pistol that combines high burst damage with a rapid-fire mode. Its dual barrels fire in alternating bursts, resulting in a highly controlled and devastating spray of bullets. The Pyrana Prime is a versatile weapon that excels in both single-target and crowd-control scenarios.
Automatic Rifles: Unremitting Assault
Automatic rifles in Warframe are a versatile and powerful class of primary weapons that unleash a relentless stream of bullets with unmatched aggression.
Boltor Prime
The Boltor Prime is a highly sought-after automatic rifle that boasts exceptional critical hit chance, damage, and accuracy. It excels in both single-target and crowd control situations.
Kuva Karak
The Kuva Karak is a variant of the popular Karak rifle that offers increased damage, crit chance, and a unique stacking damage bonus with each headshot.
Hek
The Hek is a shotgun-like automatic rifle that fires devastating spread shots. Its high damage output makes it ideal for close-range engagements and taking down heavily armored enemies.
Corinth Prime
The Corinth Prime is a unique automatic rifle that fires explosive rounds that deal both impact and blast damage. Its charged shots release a devastating payload, turning it into a formidable AoE weapon.
Zarr
The Zarr is a heavy-hitting automatic rifle that fires explosive charges that seek out multiple targets. It excels in clearing out crowds and dealing massive damage to groups of enemies.
Bubonico
The Bubonico is an Infested-themed automatic rifle that fires corrosive rounds that deal toxin damage. Its unique ability to spread the Bubonico virus to enemies enhances its damage output over time.
Delectus
The Delectus is a Sentient-themed automatic rifle that fires a mixture of physical and electric damage. Its unique mechanic allows it to build up a temporary damage boost with consecutive headshots.
Carmine Penta
The Carmine Penta is a Tenno-crafted automatic rifle that fires explosive penta shots that bounce off surfaces. Its unique detonation mechanic grants it exceptional versatility and crowd control capabilities.
Natron
The Natron is a high-caliber automatic rifle that deals immense damage with slow-moving projectiles. Its high accuracy and penetration make it particularly effective against heavily armored targets.
| Weapon |
Damage Type |
Critical Chance |
Mastery Rank |
| Boltor Prime |
Puncture |
30% |
12 |
| Kuva Karak |
Slash |
27% |
10 |
| Hek |
Impact, Puncture, Slash |
15% |
4 |
Shotguns: The Force of a Cannon
Shotguns in Warframe embody brute force, unleashing a devastating spread of pellets that obliterate enemies at close range. With their unique mechanics and formidable damage output, shotguns are a formidable choice for decimating foes in close-quarters combat.
Tigris Prime
The Tigris Prime reigns supreme among shotguns, boasting exceptional damage and a tight pellet spread that maximizes its destructive potential. Its high critical chance and innate punch-through amplify its versatility, allowing it to excel in a wide range of scenarios.
Kuva Kohm
The Kuva Kohm is a high-capacity, rapid-fire shotgun that can unleash an unrelenting barrage of pellets with staggering damage. Its secondary fire mode triggers a powerful explosion, providing crowd-control capabilities and devastating area damage. However, its wide spread requires careful aim to maximize effectiveness.
Cedo
The Cedo combines the power of a shotgun with the versatility of a rifle. Its primary fire mode fires a concentrated beam of plasma, while its secondary mode launches a shotgun blast that can pierce multiple enemies. Its hybrid nature grants it adaptability and efficiency in various combat situations.
Vaykor Hek
The Vaykor Hek is a reliable and potent shotgun known for its high critical chance and critical damage multiplier. Its innate Radiation damage helps it bypass enemy shields, making it highly effective against Grineer and Corpus foes.
Strun Wraith
The Strun Wraith is an automatic shotgun with a high rate of fire and excellent reload speed. It compensates for its lower damage per shot with its relentless spray of pellets, making it a formidable choice for mowing down hordes of enemies.
Arca Plasmor
The Arca Plasmor is a unique shotgun that fires a high-energy beam that can penetrate through multiple targets. Its continuous fire mode allows for sustained damage output, while its secondary fire triggers a devastating blast that obliterates enemies within its radius.
Phantasma
The Phantasma is a versatile shotgun that can adapt to various combat ranges. Its primary fire mode fires homing projectiles that can seek out enemies, even behind cover. Its alternate fire triggers a devastating explosion that inflicts radiation and viral damage.
Komorex
The Komorex is a high-precision shotgun with a slow rate of fire but exceptional damage and critical hit potential. Its unique “crossfire” mechanic allows players to unleash a concentrated burst of pellets that deal increased damage based on the distance traveled.
Corinth Prime
The Corinth Prime is a shotgun that boasts a powerful punch and high critical multiplier. Its primary fire mode launches a cluster of pellets that explode on impact, inflicting additional area damage. Its secondary fire mode triggers a short-range, devastating explosion that can decimate groups of enemies at close range.
| Weapon |
Critical Chance |
Critical Multiplier |
Status Chance |
| Tigris Prime |
40% |
2.4x |
20% |
| Kuva Kohm |
18% |
1.9x |
20% |
| Cedo |
12% |
1.5x |
10% |
Versatile Pistols: Compact and Efficient
In the vast arsenal of Warframe, versatile pistols stand out as effective and adaptable primary weapons. These compact firearms offer exceptional maneuverability, precision, and the flexibility to handle a wide range of combat scenarios.
Lex Prime
The Lex Prime is a classic pistol that seamlessly blends precision and power. Its high accuracy and critical chance make it an excellent choice for eliminating targets at long distances.
Stats:
- Accuracy: 24
- Critical Chance: 22%
- Critical Damage: 2.2x
- Magazine Size: 15
- Fire Rate: 3
Aklex Prime
As the dual-wielding counterpart to the Lex Prime, the Aklex Prime is renowned for its blistering fire rate and exceptional ammo efficiency. Its rapid bursts allow for swift takedowns of multiple enemies.
Stats:
- Accuracy: 22
- Critical Chance: 22%
- Critical Damage: 2.2x
- Magazine Size: 30
- Fire Rate: 9
Tenet Cycron
The Tenet Cycron is a unique automatic pistol that generates energy projectiles upon hitting enemies. These energy projectiles can target nearby enemies, offering a high degree of crowd control.
Stats:
- Accuracy: 16
- Critical Chance: 15%
- Critical Damage: 2.2x
- Magazine Size: 18
- Fire Rate: 11
Other Notable Pistols
Other versatile pistols include the Pandero, a high-capacity pistol with good accuracy, and the Euphona Prime, a powerful but slow-firing burst pistol. Both weapons offer distinct advantages in different combat situations.
Warframe: Best Primary Weapons
Warframe features an extensive arsenal of primary weapons, each designed to excel in specific combat scenarios. While personal preferences and playstyles may influence the choice, certain weapons consistently stand out as the top performers in the game.
For high-damage and reliable performance, the Tigris Prime shotgun reigns supreme. Its exceptional damage output, coupled with its punch-through capabilities, decimates enemies at close range. Alternatively, the Soma Prime assault rifle boasts an impressive rate of fire, making it a formidable choice for engaging multiple foes simultaneously.
For long-range engagements, the Lanka sniper rifle is unmatched in its precision and damage. Its heavy-caliber bullets pierce through enemies with ease, making it ideal for taking down distant targets or eliminating heavily armored foes. The Tonkor grenade launcher, on the other hand, excels in crowd control and area-of-effect damage, allowing players to clear entire rooms in a matter of seconds.
People Also Ask About Warframe Best Primary Weapons
What are the best primary weapons for beginners?
The Hek shotgun, Lex pistol, and Braton assault rifle are solid choices for new players, offering a blend of damage, accuracy, and versatility.
What are the best primary weapons for end-game content?
The Tigris Prime, Soma Prime, Lanka, and Tonkor are considered top performers in end-game missions, providing exceptional damage, range, and utility.
What primary weapon is the best for solo play?
The Kuva Kohm shotgun or the Amprex beam rifle are highly effective for solo play, as their damage and crowd control capabilities allow players to tackle large groups of enemies independently.
