How to Play Warframe: A Beginner’s Guide
Can’t wait to join the ranks of the Tenno? We can’t blame you. Warframe is a game that has it all: guns, space ninjas, and an incredible community. But if you’re new to the game, there are some things you should know before you begin playing.
Warframe is a free-to-play third-person shooter set in a science fiction universe emphasizing single-player and cooperative play. You take on the role of a Tenno. As you learn about them, you will find out that they come from a race of warriors from an ancient civilization. They were captured and forced into service as their private army by the Grineer.
The Tenno are unique because they are the only race the Grineer has not conquered due to their ability to use “Warframes” – armored exoskeletons that grant them superhuman powers. The player must fight through space stations and planets to escape from captivity and discover what happened to their long-lost civilization.
The gameplay of Warframe centers around missions where players must complete various objectives for rewards. Some examples include collecting resources, eliminating enemies to advance through the story questline, or earning rewards such as weapons and mods (modifications for firearms).
This guide will help you get your feet wet by covering the basics of gameplay and the different ways you can play Warframe.
The Basics
The first thing to know about Warframe is that it’s a cooperative third-person shooter set in the future and played from an over-the-shoulder perspective.
You play as one of several characters called “Warframes,” who has been enhanced with advanced technology to give them extraordinary powers.
You call these characters “Warframes” because they are melded together with their armor. Their bodies become their weapons, allowing them to fly around, shoot lasers from their hands or feet (or anywhere else), and generally wreak havoc on anything that stands in their way.
How Do I Get Started?
To play Warframe, you can download it on Steam or create an account on the official website. If you decide to play, you can create an account and log in whenever possible.
How Do I Play?
The game has two primary modes: Missions, where players work together against AI enemies, and Alerts. Alert Missions are temporary missions that replace any previously unlocked mission on a planet. They are available for a limited time and have vague references to the mission type explained in the description.
The core gameplay is similar in both modes: players control their Warframes, use their abilities to defeat enemies and complete objectives, and earn experience points (XP).
As they earn XP, players level up and unlock new gear for their Warframe, allowing them to customize their playstyle further.
It’s also possible for players to join a clan, which offers various benefits like additional storage space, access to clan-only missions, and the ability to earn extra XP by playing with other clan members.
Controls and Mechanics
The controls in Warframe are relatively simple and easy to learn. Players can move around using WASD or the arrow keys, aim their weapons with the mouse, and use 1-4 number keys to activate abilities.
There are also a few hotkeys for other actions like jumping or opening up your equipment screen.
There is also an emphasis on mobility and parkour. Players can quickly dash through the air by holding downshifts, scale walls using their jetpacks, and use their guns to perform melee attacks.
The game also features a lock-on system that allows you to target enemies when fighting them in groups quickly.
Using Weapons and Abilities
Players will find a variety of weapons in the game, including pistols, machine guns, shotguns, and sniper rifles. Each weapon has different stats that affect its damage output and accuracy.
For example, players can equip an assault rifle with severe damage with low recoil or a pistol that does less damage but is easier to use at close range.
The game also features a variety of abilities that you can use to change the tide of battle. For example, players can use their jetpack to fly over enemies and perform aerial melee attacks, or they can equip a shield that will allow them to take less damage from enemy attacks.
Movement and Navigation
The game’s enormous map enables you to move freely and explore areas at your leisure. You can access the map by pressing “M,” which will show your current location and places you have yet to visit.
The game is relatively linear, with the story taking you from one area to another. You are not able to explore all of the maps at once and must complete specific quests before being able to access new areas.
Crafting System
The game features a crafting system that allows you to create a new Warframe.
By completing missions, you can earn money to buy blueprints for new weapons, modifications, and Warframes. These blueprints come to your Foundry, where you can use the materials dropped from enemies to create new gear.
The Market and Baro Ki’Teer allow players to trade and acquire rare items.
The Tutorials and the Codex
The game features a series of tutorial missions that introduce new players to the game’s mechanics.
These are available from your Orbiter, where you’ll also find the Codex, which contains all of the game’s lore and information on its characters and environments.
You can also use the Codex to search for and read about everything in Warframe, including enemies, bosses, weapons, and more. It is a great way to learn more about the game’s lore and story.
The Warframe Store
The Warframe Store is where you can spend real money on in-game items.
These include Prime Access Packs, which give you access to Prime Warframes and Weapons; Platinum, which you can use to purchase additional gear from the Market; and a variety of Bundles that come with cosmetics for your Operator and Warframe.
How to Get Platinum (in-game currency)
There are two ways to get Platinum: purchasing it from the Warframe Store or earning it through gameplay.
Earning Platinum through gameplay is a slow process, and you’ll need to spend some time playing before you can afford anything from the Market.
If you want to start with Warframe as quickly as possible, we recommend purchasing the Ember Starter Pack from the Warframe Store. It comes with Platinum and various cosmetics for your Operator and Warframe.
