[Warframe] Best Warframes Tier List

It is perhaps this continuously evolving universe that keeps Warframe players on the hunt for the most powerful and versatile Warframes to shake up their gameplay experience. In Koumei & the Five Fates, released on October 2, 2024, a ton of new content arrived, including the 58th Warframe, Koumei, the “dice-maiden.” Let’s just say, if RNG could be embodied in a character, it’s her. One moment you’re getting buffs, the next, well, you might have rolled a natural 1. But hey, isn’t that what makes Warframe fun?

With all these changes, it’s time to revisit the tier list and see which Warframes still reign supreme. Whether you’re here to melt enemies or just want to stand around looking cool, this tier list will show you the top choices for wrecking your way through Warframe's universe.

Loot-Tier: This tier is only for the Warframes that don’t just kill enemies, but also make sure they drop more loot during the process. It might be doubling the resource drops, or turning your foes into walking loot piñatas. These frames are the real MVPs when you're farming for those rare resources and mods. Tired of running missions for one rare material and coming back empty-handed? Then, Loot-Tier Warframes are your best buddies. They know how to make every kill count.

Nekros (Loot-Tier)

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Digital Extremes

Nekros wielding the Tigris

Nekros is your essential loot Warframe. Known for his signature ability called Desecrate, which turns every fallen enemy into potential loot. From farming resources to farming mods, that's where Nekros comes in handy as you get more chances for the drops on whatever you are farming, limb by limb. He is very efficient to the point where many players refuse to go on farming runs with this Warframe, and if they do, they always ask, "Anyone have Nekros?"

Nekros is actually a crazy farming machine. His Desecrate will be able to take even the most mediocre missions and somehow turn them into some sort of loot bonanza. Any competitive Warframe player knows Nekros is not just a Warframe; he's a way of life. And, honestly, if Nekros were in charge of an RPG loot drop system, the devs would need to recalibrate the balance.

Why Nekros is at the Loot-Tier:

• Desecrate causes enemies to drop extra loot, including resources, mods, and health orbs.
• Great synergy with AoE weapons and weapons with high slash that generate many corpses quickly.
• Effective in high enemy-density missions like Survival.
• Can keep Desecrate up almost endlessly with health-based builds, making him highly efficient.
• Pairs excellently with other loot Warframes, like Hydroid and Khora, for maximum resource gain.

Warframe: Nekros Is insane Right now - Deaths Blessing https://youtu.be/FIHZ1qZaX7A?si=SSlnqd9eViynl9Xa&t=30

Khora (Loot-Tier)

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Khora and her Kavat Companion, Venari

Khora brings elegance to the looting game. Her Strangledome traps enemies in a web of chains so that it will force more loot to drop from them thanks to the augment called Pilfering Strangledome. She is great at crowd control while also bringing some solid damage. The only thing better than Khora keeping your enemies tied up is her filling your inventory with goodies.

Khora is the ultimate multi-tasker. She's to Warframes what the shopping cart with a rocket booster would be: she grabs enemies, scoops up loot, and spams area of effect whip damage at the same time. If you are doing an Endless Mission and you don't have a Khora in your squad, you're probably leaving lots of resources out in the field.

Why Khora is at the Loot-Tier:

• Pilfering Strangledome increases loot drops and ensures that enemies drop all the loot they can while dying in a web of chains.
• Excellent for crowd control, holding huge mobs of enemies in one area for easy farming.
• Good for an endless mission, as she does a lot of solid damage while farming.
• A very powerful combination of looting and combat efficiency, which shines in both single-player and multiplayer modes.
• Suitable for open world or endless missions where enemies arrive in waves.

Khora, The loot Queen of Warframe | Khora Builds 2023 https://youtu.be/D40N1tID2O0?si=ka_AllutJR4PDaQm&t=8

Hydroid (Loot-Tier)

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Hydroid being showcased

Hydroid wasn't the best at combat, until his rework! In farming, his Pilfering Swarm is why you call upon him. He summons a writhing mass of tentacles. Just watch enemies cough up double loot drops like they owe him rent. Hydroid's playstyle can be pretty niche, but if you're in a resource grab, Hydroid's tentacles will get that done for you-literally.

Hydroid won't win any beauty contests with his tentacle-heavy Pilfering Swarm, but when it comes to farming he is as consistent as he gets. Slot him next to Nekros and you got a dream team for loot farming. If you're not swimming in resources after a farming run with Hydroid, then it's likely that you're either not paying attention or that you simply didn't get the enemy to your liking often enough.

Why Hydroid is at the Loot-Tier:

• Pilfering Swarm increases enemy loot drops when they're caught in his tentacles.
• Ideally suited to stationary, defense based missions where enemies clump together
• His crowd control = loot, so he is a one man looting machine
• His abilities ensure there is an additional drop on kill alongside some juicy corrosive procs.
• Works super well with other loot Warframes like Nekros for implementing ultimate farming efficiency.

Hydroid is TOP TIER now!... https://youtu.be/fzt2nK01Myo?si=WqtKredZj1EWEPGN&t=12

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Warframes lined up in order; Volt, Loki, Mesa, Chroma, Gauss, Mag, Nyx, Rhino, and Gara

S-Tier: The Gods of the gods. This tier represents the elite Warframes that excel in almost all situations. These frames have a combination of damage output, good survivability, and special abilities to adapt them to whatever type of mission exists. They are always great choices for solo and team players.

Revenant (S-Tier 1/58)

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Revenant prime being showcased

Revenant is the Warframe you play when you want to give the middle finger to death itself. His main ability is Mesmer Skin will mitigate ANY type of damage you encounter in the game. If you like dominating the battlefield and letting nothing stop you, Revenant is your go-to frame.

Him being a walking spirit of battle will make him an excellent choice for most solo players. Crowd control while dealing damage makes him super useful to have, and in tougher missions, he's priceless. Players like it because his survivability is really high and has synergy with a lot of different team setups.

Why Revenant is S-Tier

• Mesmer Skin and Enthrall let him incapacitate enemies left and right.
• Laughs in the face of death with insane damage resistance.
• With his ability to manipulate enemies, Revenant is great for both offense and defense.
• Whether you’re solo or in a team, Revenant excels in almost any scenario.
• Foes that attack him will wish they hadn’t.

The Most Popular Warframe In The Game | Everything Revenant Prime https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=299&v=ChPqo7fq0E0&t=299

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Saryn (S-Tier 2/58)

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Saryn wielding the Nikana

Saryn is a walking biological weapon. Her ability to deal massive damage over time through Spores and Miasma makes her one of the best frames for crowd control. Send out your spores, spread them like wildfire, and watch as entire rooms melt under her viral plague.

She damages and clears status effects so well that she's always going to be an intimidating presence on the battlefield. It's almost easy to unleash upon a room full of fodder, destroying them in seconds with the proper build that focuses on ability strength and range. Indeed, many players praise her for the rewards she provides for skillful play, speeding the seasoned player through missions and clearing all areas quickly and efficiently.

Why Saryn is S-Tier

• Can obliterate rooms full of enemies with Spore/Miasma combos.
• Builds focusing on range and strength turn her into a nuke.
• Perfect for long survival missions due to her scaling damage.
• Weakens enemies, making them easier prey for teammates.
• Nothing is as rewarding as seeing a sea of red numbers popping up from every enemy.

EXTINCTION SARYN PRIME | Warframe Build https://youtu.be/DnoFAbAbH7A?si=Vzu9Ma6lK8n3w0ZB&t=1093

Octavia (S-Tier 3/58)

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Octavia with her music in the background

Octavia doesn’t just kill her enemies—she does it with style and rhythm. Mallet draws in enemies to a deadly rave, Resonator spreads the party across the map, and Amp turns her teammates into damage-dealing machines. Plus, she’s practically unkillable while invisible, making her a dream for solo players.

Octavia has some unique gameplay mechanics that reward players for good timing and positioning. When combining both of her buffs with damage dealing, she is on the dangerous scale of any team without extensive support from teammates. Her invisibility coupled with damage dealing makes her a favorite among stealth-gamer types.

Why Octavia is S-Tier

• Makes the whole team more deadly.
• Permanently invisible as long as you spam crouch (and who doesn’t love that?).
• Her Mallet and Resonator combo pulls enemies in and lets you control the battlefield.
• The more enemies that shoot Mallet, the deadlier it gets.
• She’s fun to play, and you can literally create your own soundtrack while destroying foes.

How Octavia Made Warframe Boring https://youtu.be/ViVCGHC8E4U?si=YqN6B3LIbDghWLhp&t=1339

Mesa (S-Tier 4/58)

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Mesa wielding her exalted weapons

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a space cowgirl raining lead down on everything in sight, Mesa is for you. Her Peacemaker ability turns her into a turret, mowing down enemies at ridiculous speeds. Pair that with her high survivability through Shatter Shield and you’ve got a frame that can survive anything while turning everything into Swiss cheese.

The ability to deal lots of damage from a distance at will makes her perfect for mowing down high-level enemies quickly. Unique mechanics also give Mesa the chance for offense and defense, letting her survive the deepest firefights while still outputting vital damage.

Why Mesa is S-Tier

• Peacemaker can melt high-level enemies in seconds.
• Shatter Shield reduces incoming damage by a large margin.
• Whether you’re in close-quarters or picking off enemies at range, Mesa excels.
• Feels like playing Warframe's version of a cowboy gunslinger.
• Let’s face it, auto-aiming and rapid firing is just cool.

Warframe: Yep, Mesa Is Still Busted https://youtu.be/OZFwMvfCyDw?si=6P92Jjag6vzwHyXt&t=122&t=122

A-Tier: The Warframes in this tier are solid and dependable—think of them as the reliable workhorses of the team. They might not always steal the spotlight, but they’ll consistently get the job done without too much fuss. Every squad needs a few of these steady performers!

• Dante
• Wisp
• Khora
• Gauss
• Volt
• Kullervo
• Jade
• Citrine
• Protea
• Baruuk
• Harrow
• Mirage
• Nova
• Nezha
• Gara
• Zephyr

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Equinox in her night and day forms representing B-Tier

B-Tier: These Warframes can hold their own in most missions, especially if you give them the right build. They’ve got utility and can shine when played well, but their power levels can be a bit... moody. Think of them as the Warframe equivalent of that friend who’s amazing in some situations but needs a little extra motivation in others.

• Wukong
• Nidus
• Dagath
• Xaku
• Caliban
• Rhino
• Styanax
• Nekros
• Titania
• Voruna
• Gyre
• Mag
• Sevagoth
• Garuda
• Ivara
• Ember
• Hildryn
• Chroma
• Equinox
• Frost
• Inaros
• Hydroid
• Koumei

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Valkyr and Limbo representing C-Tier Warframes

C-Tier: These Warframes are definitely on the 'situational' side of things and tend to pop up more often than you'd expect. They have their uses, but they’re not exactly the life of the party compared to their higher-tier siblings. Still, with the right build and a bit of TLC, they can surprise you—and hey, at the very least, playing them can still be fun... kind of like using a butter knife to spread peanut butter. It works, just maybe not as well.

• Ash
• Excalibur
• Qorvex
• Valkyr
• Limbo
• Grendel
• Atlas
• Lavos
• Yareli
• Loki
• Trinity

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Oberon representing D-Tier Warframes

D-Tier: This line-up of Warframes is rather weakly thought-of. They are more or less the lost toys at the bottom of the box—maybe not ruined but badly in need of some TLC (or a serious rework). With some rebalancing, they could potentially be useful, but for now, they would be the least likely to receive an invitation to the cool kids' table. Maybe the devs will buff these out? *fingers crossed!*

• Oberon
• Banshee
• Nyx
• Vauban

The Tier List

Conclusion

Warframe will always remain a game that can stay fresh with updates, reworks, and other game-changing patches that keep the meta fresh and exciting. From tearing through enemies as one of the gods of S-Tier to showing off your creativity with some of the more situational Warframes, this universe holds something for every playstyle. Not every Warframe is the MVP, but hey, even underdogs have that charm; sometimes it’s how you play, not what you play, right? Whether you're dancing with Octavia, melting foes with Saryn, or hoping that one day Oberon gets the buff he truly deserves, remember: there is no wrong way to play Warframe.. Unless you are still trying to main Nyx.

You may also be interested in:

[Warframe] Best Prime Warframes Tier List

[Warframe] Best Weapons Tier List