Last Updated on October 17, 2022
I’m New, So What Should I Do First?
Warframe is undoubtedly of the most intimidating and overwhelming games to learn and master. With a sheer number of gameplay mechanics and countless things to know, newbies will take one look at it and ask: “what am I supposed to do here?”. Moreover, it doesn’t help that after defeating Captain Vor, the game gives you absolute freedom with unnoticeable hints. Because of this, you may not have a clue on what to do first and what to aim for.
If you’re stuck and have no idea what to do next, we’ve compiled a few ideas in this short Warframe beginner guide to help you get back on track:
Complete the Star Chart
In a nutshell, the Star Chart is the interface where you access the game’s missions. It shows the planets and various celestial bodies of the Solar System and their available tasks and resources. You can approach this endeavor by going to destinations with a glowing blue light. Plus, you’ll also need to defeat junction bosses, which can be rather tricky.
Note that you have to unlock as many locations as you can so you’ll have access to resources that will help you grind for and craft new weapons and Warframes.
Create items and equipment and use them to increase mastery rank
In a nutshell, the Mastery Rank, or MR, is Warframe’s main progression system. The higher it is, the more weapons and in-game features you’ll get to unlock, like more in-game trades.
To increase MR, you’ll have to:
- Build new weapons and use them in combat. You’ll gain a hundred points for each mastery level, and when you reach 30, you’ll have already earned 3000 MR points.
- Defeat junction bosses, which will give you 1000 MR points.
- Craft and level up new Warframes and companions.
Buy blueprints from the market
Blueprints are the structure and plans for various in-game items like weapons, warframes, and different equipment. You can earn blueprints by purchasing them on the market console on your ship, or defeating certain enemies and bosses, or if you have a clan, via replicating a researched technology from your Clan Dojo. Note that blueprints are essential in deciding which items and frames you want to grind for. In a way, they also set your playstyle and progression.
Equip mods and learn to combine and upgrade them
In a nutshell, mods are items that add various effects to your weapons, warframes, and other equipment to make them stronger. For example, certain mods can add a frost attack to your melee weapon, while rifle some mods can increase damage. Moreover, it’s also crucial to learn how to combine mods the Mod Station in your ship. Fusing mods will make their effects more substantial, and you might even unlock a new one, like using cold and electricity damage to deal devastating damage to enemy shields.
Check out our beginner modding guide here.
Don’t spend platinum right away
Platinum is Warframe’s premium currency, and all players get a free 50 (which can’t be traded to other players) when they start. Of course, it’s easy to get tempted to spend them right away to get a fast start. However, it would be best to save them and earn more either by direct purchase or trading your loot with other players.
Loot everything you can
Speaking of loot, be sure to take as much as you can when you go on missions. Break down storage pods and harvest any material you come across. This may feel tedious, especially if you just want to complete tasks. However, by gathering as many resources and credits as you can even from the bottom of the barrel, you’ll end up lessening the grind later on and help you craft items seamlessly.
Use the Codex on your ship
If you need a guide, you can just visit the site, or use the in-game option, specifically the Warframe Codex. You can access this on your ship, and it gives you information about the world of Warframe, from where to harvest crafting materials, various weapon types, and kinds of enemies and their weaknesses.
Join a clan
Joining a clan opens up a lot of possibilities. You will have players to play with and have a hub where you can trade items and create certain things and equipment you can’t get on your ship. If you’re having trouble finding a clan, try looking up the Discord and Reddit communities and the official Warframe forums.
Grind and be patient
Warframe is a grind-heavy game. Earning the complete item set and the Warframe you want can take upwards of six hours. However, advanced weapons and frames can take up weeks and dozens of hours. So yes, it’s not an easy game to play, and you may end up running out of patience. However, just put your head down and persevere, and with luck and effort, you’ll be able to accomplish and earn what you set out to do.
Warframe websites are your friends
Apart from grinding, Warframe is a game that entails a lot of learning and Googling. If you’re stuck in the middle of a grind or have no on what to do next, Warframe websites are your friends. Check out the official Warframe forums, subreddit, and references on this site if you need help.
Warframe may be quite overwhelming, and its steep learning curve can make it harder for you to deal with the initial challenges that will go your way as a Tenno. However, if you’re a veteran, we’d like to hear from you: let us know if you have tips for players who are just starting out.
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