[Warframe] Best Prime Warframes Tier List

Prime Warframes in orderl; Baruuk Prime, Gara Prime, and Nezha Prime
Updated:
06 Nov 2024

In the Warframe universe, you have Prime Frames and then you have everything else. While some are gods on the battlefield because of their brute strength, others bring value through opportunities for resource farming or key utility in squad play. In this guide, we are going to go over the current tier list of Prime Warframes in an easy and simple manner so you know which Primes will actually be worth your time (and more importantly, Forma!). With Warframes ranging from the all-mighty S-Tier juggernauts to the far more niche Loot-Tier specialists, here is everything you should know when it comes down to Prime Frames in a modern meta. So let us dive in to know which is the best of all!

 

 

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Nekros Prime representing loot-tier

Loot-Tier: The Loot-Tier Warframes specialize in farming and gathering resources, making them invaluable for players who want to increase drop rates and gather rare materials. These Warframes may not be the strongest in combat, but they’re the MVPs for those long farming sessions. They’re a must-have for players focused on loot efficiency, resource collection, and mod farming.

 

Khora Prime (Loot-Tier)

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Khora Prime showcased

The apex loot predator, Khora Prime ensnares foes with her metallic Whipclaw, while her Kavat companion, Venari, assists in balance between offense and healing. Whipclaw empowers her to build up damage efficiently, making her valuable for solo and team play.

Few Warframes can compete with Khora Prime’s crowd control and loot generation, making her top-tier for farming. If you manage to group enemies in your Strangledome, expect to clear them out with one reliable whipclaw if you have the right build!

 

Why Khora Prime is Loot-Tier:

  • Whipclaw and loot-generating mods create a high-drop synergy.
  • Strangledome holds enemies in place, optimizing farming.
  • Venari provides utility for healing or support.
  • Flexible builds make her adaptable for loot-farming missions.
  • Excellent in Survival and Defense missions where loot can pile up.

KHORA GOT BUFFED | Melee Arcanes Made HER STRONGER! https://youtu.be/3D7pNzlt5zE?si=Dg_rcqCLEt3Vj4JH&t=567

 

 

Nekros Prime (Loot-Tier)

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Nekros Prime showcased

The original loot frame, Nekros Prime excels at increasing loot drops with Desecrate, amplifying resources and mods. His crowd-control stuns groups of enemies so it would be easier to manage them while optimizing loot.

Nekros Prime’s Desecrate can be game-changing for resource gathering. He’s definitely the top contender for gathering valuable loot and resources.

 

Why Nekros Prime is Loot-Tier:

  • Desecrate triggers consistent extra loot drops.
  • Synergizes well with other loot frames in teams.
  • Strong for solo and team-based farming missions.
  • Ideal for endurance runs with abundant resources.
  • Scales effectively with loot-boosting mods.

SOLO NEKROS FARMING BUILD GOT BETTER AFTER THE DANTE UNBOUND UPDATE | WARFRAME 2024 https://youtu.be/XJegaeQZ53k?si=xsKcfQpWwIbskmo6&t=336

 

 

Hydroid Prime (Loot-Tier)

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Hydroid Prime showcased

The pirate Warframe, Hydroid Prime, uses Pilfering Swarm to capture enemies with watery tendrils, increasing loot drops and providing crowd control, ideal for high-traffic missions.

Pilfering Swarm is an effective tool for resource gathering, especially in dense enemy waves. Go to a huge open room to fully utilize his tentacles of loot and destruction!

 

Why Hydroid Prime is Loot-Tier:

  • Pilfering Swarm boosts loot chances on captured enemies.
  • Offers crowd control and loot generation for farming groups.
  • Works well in defensive missions with enemy funnels.
  • Complements loot-focused Warframes like Nekros.
  • Simple yet effective for casual resource farming.

Warframe: Hydroid Rework -The Most Jacked Pirate of the Seven Seas! https://youtu.be/lJbno4VIy30?si=8sUNSfFwIw2AdjNq&t=68

 

 

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Mesa Prime representing S-Tier

S-Tier: The Absolute Elite S-Tier Prime Warframes are the best of the best. They bring game-changing power, high versatility, and a level of efficiency that stands out in all mission types. Whether it’s raw damage, team support, or utility, these Warframes set the standard and adapt well to almost any challenge you throw at them.

  • Saryn Prime
  • Octavia Prime
  • Revenant Prime
  • Wisp Prime
  • Mesa Prime
  • Mirage Prime

 

 

Saryn Prime (S-Tier 1/44)

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Digital Extremes
Saryn Prime showcased

Accustomed to death dancing at her fingertips, the toxin-toothed Saryn Prime enhances spreading sickness and exhaling plague. She can combine viral and corrosive statuses with ease on groups of enemies, converting the battlefield into a toxic hell. Every brawl is a lethal waltz of decay and destruction with Saryn Prime.

With her toxic powers that let go of enemies in their dozens at a time, Saryn Prime is your girl for high-level missions. Status-based weapons work even better thanks to her synergy with them and can push your damage through the roof.

 

Why Saryn Prime is S-Tier:

  • High abilities with Spores and Miasma bring out high damage outputs.
  • Good at crowd control and mitigating damage from groups.
  • Direct synergy with status-based weapons for overall increased damage.
  • Adaptable for multiple mission types.
  • Strong scaling into late game.

Saryn is Amazing! | Warframe https://youtu.be/MLV3ylSA_fs?si=apS7RL-PdTu_FXgc&t=520

 

 

Octavia Prime (S-Tier 2/44)

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Octavia Prime wielding the Pandero Prime

Octavia Prime strikes a symphony, empowering her allies with the music of conflict and discordance. Her inspiring mechanics turn the battlefield into a symphony of destruction where every beat counts for the win. Effective both in and out of team play, the support/damage hybrid is perfect for players who find themselves lacking a group to run with.

Not only are her skills attributes enhancing performance and weakening enemies but the contrary, this makes a must-have for any mission. Octavia prides about her playstyle, giving gameplay a new layer of freshness that you won't be able to keep up with at full strength.

 

Why Octavia Prime is S-Tier:

  • Benefits from increased team-wide damage and survivability.
  • Deals good damage, debuffs enemies to decrease their damage output.
  • Can fill multiple playstyles for both solo and group.
  • Scales decently with strength and duration mods.
  • Good gameplay with unique mechanics.

Octavia | Why Is She SO POWERFUL? | Full Build Guide https://youtu.be/Xm1Y_wr6PIo?si=W_ZQCqVMLkHQuL5B&t=875

 

 

Revenant Prime (S-Tier 3/44)

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Revenant Prime Showcased

Revenant Prime, a Warframe closely associated with the Void, is an all-powerful crowd-controlling support frame. Capable of charming foes, making them fight for him, while restoring his own health.

Revenant Prime offers a fine balance between offense and defense, proving himself useful across all mission types. The crowd control and self-heal make him really durable, meanwhile he can also keep healing his teammates to the brim while still doing loads of damage.

 

Why Revenant Prime is S-Tier:

  • Good crowd control through abilities such as Enthrall.
  • Increased survivability through life-stealing capabilities.
  • Healing and Energizing supportive support.
  • Compatible with different mission scenarios.
  • Strong thematic design is attractive to many players.

Warframe CAN'T Handle THIS Revenant! https://youtu.be/EWekX8l6dBk?si=A-gfTX6b5oGTG88P&t=358

 

 

Wisp Prime (S-Tier 4/44)

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Wisp Prime Showcased

Wisp Prime is a master of light and energy, providing healing to allies as well as buffs while emitting considerable damage. Her abilities are capable of producing floating orbs that offer multiple types of help, which can make her a dynamic character. Wisp Prime can customize their support based on what the team needs, making her quite ideal to have around.

Wisp Prime is incredibly versatile and can switch from utilizing to providing buffs with ease, making her ideal for a wide range of missions.

 

Why Wisp Prime is S-Tier:

  • Heals and buffs allies' abilities, which helps out the team.
  • High damage with abilities like Sol Gate.
  • Can fill a wide variety of support and attack roles.
  • High crowd control with abilities such as Breach Surge.
  • Scales well with Ability Strength/Rage mods.

Jack of ALL BUFFS! Wisp Prime Build | Warframe 2024 https://youtu.be/82WT-NiH6R0?si=9W3M2_cdm1876Feo&t=880

 

 

Mesa Prime (S-Tier 5/44)

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Mesa Prime showcased

Mesa Prime’s warframe specialization is in its ranged combat, and a gunslinger that eliminates enemies from ultra-long ranges with fatal precision. A unique ability to damage over a wider range than most, combined with crowd control theoretically classifies her as a true sharpshooter on the field. Formulated correctly, Mesa can be a maelstrom of carnage in an ornate package.

A great pick for any player who likes ranged combat. Mesa Prime can deal high damage in different types of attacks and also maintain a good crowd control! Her gunplay is in a way unique but also fun and potentially devastating.

 

Why Mesa Prime is S-Tier:

  • Peacemaker is amazing for dishing out raw damage.
  • Good crowd control via things like Shatter Shield.
  • Synergy with gunplay results in more effective combat overall.
  • Flexible for various mission types.
  • Strong scaling with strength and efficiency mods.

2000+ Platinum Mesa Build | THE BEST RED CRIT MESA BUILD! https://youtu.be/EC3SZTNnbqM?si=QlAGbOojyCwik_2j&t=650

 

 

Mirage Prime (S-Tier 6/44)

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Mirage Prime with her mirror reflections

Warframe manifested from deception, wherein it utilizes illusions to distract adversaries and inflict unpredictable damage. Mirage Prime is a ballroom dancer of death, but after her recent rework, she no longer needs your artificial lighting conditions to make the most of those abilities—now they’re much more versatile. Now players are able to exert control over their battlefield, leaving foes confused and friends poised for battle.

Her wide range of improved abilities should make Mirage Prime a strong choice for one-on-one and arena. She provides a marriage between both strategy and chaos; therefore, every battle will be different and fun.

 

Why Mirage Prime is S-Tier:

  • High-Damage with abilities like Prism.
  • Flexible crowd control via abilities such as Hall of Mirrors.
  • Improved survivability with Eclipse.
  • Extensible over a variety of mission scenarios.
  • Fun playstyle and unique mechanics.

MIRAGE PRIME IS STRONGER THAN EVER! | Warframe 2024 Build Refresh https://youtu.be/LF3-wUrbpaE?si=jZIGXq6_OEFt3XvT&t=556

 

 

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Sevagoth Prime alongside his shadow

A-Tier: A-Tier Prime Warframes are top-tier choices that can handle most missions exceptionally well. They may not be as universally dominant as the S-Tier, but they still bring power, reliability, and effective abilities to the table. With solid builds, these Warframes can perform excellently and adapt to a variety of gameplay needs.

  • Gauss Prime
  • Volt Prime
  • Protea Prime
  • Nekros Prime
  • Wukong Prime
  • Zephyr Prime
  • Nova Prime
  • Khora Prime
  • Baruuk Prime
  • Nezha Prime
  • Gara Prime
  • Harrow Prime
  • Titania Prime
  • Sevagoth Prime
  • Garuda Prime
  • Ember Prime
  • Hildryn Prime

 

 

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Equinox Prime representing B-Tier

B-Tier: B-Tier Prime Warframes are solid performers with situational strengths. They might excel in certain mission types or playstyles but lack the adaptability of higher-tier Warframes. B-Tier Primes are excellent picks for players with specific objectives, and they’re great complements to diverse squad compositions.

  • Ash Prime
  • Chroma Prime
  • Excalibur Prime
  • Mag Prime
  • Equinox Prime
  • Frost Prime
  • Rhino Prime
  • Hydroid Prime
  • Valkyr Prime
  • Nidus Prime
  • Trinity Prime
  • Inaros Prime
  • Ivara Prime
  • Banshee Prime
  • Grendel Prime

 

 

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Vauban Prime activating one of his abilities

C-Tier: C-Tier Prime Warframes have specific roles or abilities that make them usable, but their performance is often overshadowed by higher-tier options. They may have one standout feature or ability but require specialized builds or certain circumstances to shine. They’re fun to play and experiment with but may need some buffing to reach their full potential.

  • Nyx Prime
  • Oberon Prime
  • Loki Prime
  • Limbo Prime
  • Vauban Prime
  • Atlas Prime

 

The Tier List

Prime WarframeTier
Saryn PrimeS-Tier 1/44
Octavia PrimeS-Tier 2/44
Revenant PrimeS-Tier 3/44
Wisp PrimeS-Tier 4/44
Mesa PrimeS-Tier 5/44
Mirage PrimeS-Tier 6/44
Gauss PrimeA-Tier 7/44
Volt PrimeA-Tier 8/44
Protea PrimeA-Tier 9/44
Nekros PrimeA-Tier 10/44
Wukong PrimeA-Tier 11/44
Zephyr PrimeA-Tier 12/44
Nova PrimeA-Tier 13/44
Khora PrimeA-Tier 14/44
Baruuk PrimeA-Tier 15/44
Nezha PrimeA-Tier 16/44
Gara PrimeA-Tier 17/44
Harrow PrimeA-Tier 18/44
Titania PrimeA-Tier 19/44
Sevagoth PrimeA-Tier 20/44
Garuda PrimeA-Tier 21/44
Ember PrimeA-Tier 22/44
Hildryn PrimeA-Tier 23/44
Ash PrimeB-Tier 24/44
Chroma PrimeB-Tier 25/44
Excalibur PrimeB-Tier 26/44
Mag PrimeB-Tier 27/44
Equinox PrimeB-Tier 28/44
Frost PrimeB-Tier 29/44
Rhino PrimeB-Tier 30/44
Hydroid PrimeB-Tier 31/44
Valkyr PrimeB-Tier 32/44
Nidus PrimeB-Tier 33/44
Trinity PrimeB-Tier 34/44
Inaros PrimeB-Tier 35/44
Ivara PrimeB-Tier 36/44
Banshee PrimeB-Tier 37/44
Grendel PrimeB-Tier 38/44
Nyx PrimeC-Tier 39/44
Oberon PrimeC-Tier 40/44
Loki PrimeC-Tier 41/44
Limbo PrimeC-Tier 42/44
Vauban PrimeC-Tier 43/44
Atlas PrimeC-Tier 44/44

 

 

Outro

The Prime Warframes are the best of who they once were, bringing a prestige and power to battle that is unattainable any other way but you may choose your favorite here. S-Tier behemoths that can walk alongside an entire squad to Loot-Tier resource magnets making farming a breeze, every Prime gives you the upper hand. Use this article to guide and help you select the Primes that match your playstyle and pursuits, just remember — the Warframe meta is constantly in flux with new updates or reworks. Now, Tenno - Go out and make the power of the void your own!

EJ del Rosario
Gamer Since:
2004
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RPG
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Destiny 2, Warframe, God of War Ragnarok
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