In Warframe, players take on the role of Tenno – individuals with psychic links to Warframes, or ancient weapons systems. Essentially, players defend the Earth from aliens not just with guns, but a combination of slices, dashes, and psychic abilities. In turn, players will easily find themselves enjoying zooming around the map while killing enemies left and right.
However, Warframe fans who want to step up their game might realize that "going pro" means mastering the title's high-intensity movement. Essentially, players can skillfully wall-run, slide, double-jump, and even glide while using slashes, guns, and even psychic attacks. However, how can newcomers master Warframe's speedy ninja battles?
10 Do Baby Steps With The Frame
Before players get to this level of clarity with their Frames, they should first understand how their Warframes react to the tiniest of movement. Doing this allows players to easily adjust their controls to high-level play with their Frame. Remember, each Frame has its own individual movement statistic that Mods and certain abilities improve and augment.
For instance, straightforward Frames like Excalibur need precise controls to maximize their movement. Meanwhile, Zephyr's wind-based kit gives her a permanent float and better jump aerodynamics. Lastly, Limbo and Nova have special teleport-like abilities that give them completely new mobility options. Players should first understand how all these considerations affect even the tiniest of Warframe movements – such as simple rolls, double jumps, and even sprinting. At high-level play, even the smallest miscalculation can make Frames miss their landing and perform the wrong combos.
9 Directions Matter
Fighting gamers understand that sometimes the "fastest" combos have more to do with precision than just knowing which buttons to press. In Warframe, the same approach works – some "complex" maneuvers actually work with just a switch in direction. For instance, players can do simple rolls in any direction they choose. However, roll while aiming will instead do more acrobatic maneuvers such as side springs and back springs – perfect for dodging while aiming weapons.
Meanwhile, the same directional trick works with wall movement as well. Players know that moving upwards a wall will result in a vertical Wall Dash, and they can move sideways should they wish. However, players can start a horizontal Wall Dash on the get-go provided they run towards a wall at an angle less than 70-degrees – perfect for traversing crevices with ridiculous jump distances.
8 Check The Melee, The Stance
Players can make the most of Warframe's high-intensity combat with a Melee weapon that complements their Warframe's mobility options and abilities. For instance, Nova's fragile nature counteracts her devastating abilities. While Nova does not have great melee options, she might fare well with distance-based weapons such as Whips, Staves, and Polearms. Meanwhile, speed-reliant Frames such as Excalibur work well with extremely close-ranged weapons like Swords.
Likewise, Stances completely change the way Weapons work as they replace their main combos. For instance, the base Sword has a straightforward combo system that encourages fighting one enemy at a time. Meanwhile, the Iron Phoenix stance adds piercing and swirling mechanics, making them more ideal for hitting many enemies at once. Players need to make sure their chosen Melee weapon has combos that can complement their Frame's ability rotation.
7 Mind The Target
Interestingly, enemy body parts will briefly glow orange once hit by players. Of course, this system implies that certain body parts – particularly the torso and the head – receive more damage compared to other parts of an enemy's body. However, players do need to get more precise with their shots, especially if they're pursuing particular playstyles.
For instance, the Warframe Banshee has her Sonar (S2) that exposes the weak points of enemies around her. In turn, players can easily capitalize on these weaknesses to score easy kills, provided they aim properly. The faster they can transition to aim and pull the trigger, the more efficient a player's ranged weapon will be in high-speed combat.
6 Close The Gap With Bullet Jump
Another maneuver Warframes should never forget is the Bullet Jump. At first glance, this spiral jump seems like a fancier version of a double jump. However, the Bullet Jump can close gaps at a much faster speed compared to sprinting.
Players can also do more complex moves with the Bullet Jump. For instance, players can still gain the speed boost from Bullet Jump right after sliding. Additionally, Bullet Jumping with the camera aimed at the ground will propel Frames off the ground instead, which is ideal for setting up aerial attacks on enemies on the ground.
5 Practice Aim Gliding
Thanks to Aim Gliding, players gliding in mid-air can briefly slow down time to aim at enemies in their general direction. They can do this by pressing aim while gliding in mid-air. In turn, this move lets players aim more accurately with the reticle while falling slowly into a roll. To inexperienced players, Aim Gliding becomes a funny Matrix reference. To pros, though, Aim Gliding allows them to obliterate incoming enemies before they even aim towards them.
Despite the pressure this forces upon player accuracy, mastering this maneuver will enable Frames to shoot more strategically in combat. For instance, Aim Gliding allows Frames to proceed to a position faster while hitting enemies at the same time. This becomes extremely useful when trying to aim for cover to reload or hide from opponents.
4 Enemies Catch At The Last Second
Alarms are a pest in Warframe as they force players to fight a relentless number of opponents. However, players might notice that sometimes alarms don't necessarily extend to other zones. In turn, a lot of enemies in the area usually become prone to stealth kills. Easy-peasy, right?
Players should also take note that sometimes enemies detect them only at the last second. Occasionally, Frames can sneak up to an enemy's side and still trigger a stealth kill. Players might want to consider this tidbit when aiming to rush stealth kills in a mission.
3 Make Moving Hurt
Damage has an interesting relationship to a moving Warframe. In fact, certain maneuvers interact with Damage differently that the game essentially encourages fast-paced movement. For instance, Rolling not only reduces detection chances but also gives a whopping 75-percent damage reduction if done while being attacked. Even the side spring benefits from the same damage reduction.
Some maneuvers deal damage to enemies as well. For example, crouching while moving mid-air triggers a Jump Kick that can actually knockdown most enemies when hit. Likewise, the starting point of Bullet Jumps also deals Blast damage to enemies surrounding the player.
2 Keep The Eyes On Objectives
Warframes who enter a zone for the first time should always look for the objective – a door or a hallway to the next checkpoint or exit. It's always a good precaution to face these transitory spaces, especially when in combat. That way, players can make a B-line for the exit whenever necessary to avoid roaming aimlessly around the area.
Players who intuitively take zone exits into consideration will most likely have a "general" idea of how most map layouts work. Theoretically, it's safe to assume that Warframe missions and locales use a base "set" of key locations that they mix in with their maps. For instance, certain Spy Missions likely shuffle through the same three or four puzzles for players to solve. Understanding how to get to these objectives the fastest can help players avoid traps and unnecessary enemy fire.
1 Prioritize Shields
Despite a player's combat proficiency, a large enemy wave, elite enemies, sub-bosses, and even mission bosses can make a careless Tenno's life a living hell. What use is a Tenno if a few rounds from an enemy gun can whittle Health in seconds? Essentially, Shields might run out quickly but they regenerate just as fast when not damaged.
Instead of risking losing any Revives, players should rush for cover and regenerate their Shields as soon as they start running out. Once a player notices that their Shields are falling 20-percent, they should always consider retreating. This strategy should give them a few seconds of wiggle room to rethink their approach against a difficult scenario.