What To Do With Extra Warframes: A Tenno’s Guide to Resource Management
So, you’ve been grinding, Tenno, and your Orbiter is starting to look like a Warframe storage unit? You’re swimming in blueprints and components, and the question burns: What can I do with these extra Warframes? Fear not! This comprehensive guide will dissect your options, ensuring you maximize your resources and continue your journey through the Origin System.
The short answer is, once fully built, you primarily have two options for extra Warframes:
- Sell them for Credits: This is the most straightforward solution. Head to your inventory, select the Warframe, and choose the “Sell” option. You’ll receive a decent chunk of Credits, which are crucial for crafting, upgrading mods, and various other activities.
- Keep them for specific builds or future content: While generally not recommended for beginners due to slot limitations, experienced players often keep multiple frames to experiment with different builds and adapt to various mission types or sortie requirements.
However, the entire process involves much more than these 2 options. Read on to find out more!
Understanding the Warframe Economy
Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to grasp the Warframe economy. Resources, especially Warframe slots, are valuable. Early in the game, Platinum (Warframe’s premium currency) is often best spent on purchasing these slots to expand your Warframe and weapon arsenal. As you progress, you’ll discover efficient ways to acquire Credits and other resources, allowing you to make informed decisions about what to keep, sell, or even invest in.
Maximizing Your Resources: Beyond the Basics
While selling for Credits is the immediate solution, consider these factors:
- Mastery Rank: Leveling a Warframe to Rank 30 grants Mastery Points, which are essential for increasing your Mastery Rank and unlocking new content. Always level a Warframe to 30 before considering selling it. You can re-acquire most frames later should you need or want to.
- Helminth System: This is a key aspect of gameplay that requires a specific Warframe to sacrifice in order to unlock. Feeding a Warframe to the Helminth allows you to infuse one of their abilities onto other Warframes. Consider which abilities are the most sought after and prioritize gathering those frames to sacrifice, and ensure you’ve mastered the Warframe first for the Mastery Points!
- Fashion Frame: Admit it, Tenno, you enjoy customizing your Warframes. Keeping multiple frames allows for diverse aesthetic choices. If you are deeply into Fashion Frame and have the slots to spare, by all means hoard them if you want to!
- Prime vs. Non-Prime: Prime Warframes are enhanced versions with slightly better stats and often come with unique polarities for easier modding. While the stat differences are usually minor, many veterans prefer using Prime variants. Consider replacing your non-Prime frames with their Prime counterparts as you acquire them, and use the non-Prime variant for feeding to Helminth.
- Warframe Market: For those with Prime parts, remember you can sell the blueprints for platinum on Warframe Market. If you are lucky enough to get multiples of rarer Prime blueprints you can sell them for Platinum which can be used to buy slots!
Alternative Uses for Warframe Parts
What about the blueprints and components?
- Building New Warframes: The obvious use! Farm the necessary components and build Warframes to expand your collection.
- Trading Prime Parts: Prime Warframe blueprints and components can be traded with other players for Platinum. Use websites like warframe.market to assess prices and facilitate trades. Rare or in-demand Prime parts can fetch a significant amount of Platinum.
- Ducats: Trade Prime parts with Baro Ki’Teer in the relays for Ducats which can be used to purchase items exclusive to Baro.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the questions you might have when it comes to dealing with extra Warframes:
1. Can I sell fully built Warframes?
Yes, you can sell fully built Warframes that are not unique. Selling them will give you Credits. Go to your inventory and choose sell.
2. Can I trade fully built Warframes with other players?
No, fully built Warframes and weapons cannot be traded. Only blueprints, components, and mods are tradable.
3. What is the difference between Prime and non-Prime Warframes?
Prime Warframes have slightly better stats (usually more armor, energy, or shields) and often come with different polarities. They also feature a unique aesthetic.
4. Is it worth keeping non-Prime Warframes if I have their Prime versions?
Generally, no. Unless you particularly enjoy the non-Prime’s appearance for Fashion Frame or want to feed it to the Helminth, selling it is the more practical option.
5. How do I get more Warframe slots?
Warframe slots can be purchased with Platinum from the in-game market. Keep an eye out for Platinum discounts!
6. What should I do with duplicate Prime Warframe blueprints?
Sell them to other players for Platinum on warframe.market, or trade them at Baro Ki’Teer for Ducats.
7. What is Mastery Rank, and why is it important?
Mastery Rank represents your progress in Warframe. Increasing your Mastery Rank unlocks new weapons, Warframes, and content. It is important to level up your Warframes to 30 before selling them.
8. What is the Helminth system?
The Helminth system is a feature on your Orbiter that allows you to sacrifice a Warframe to gain one of its abilities for use on another Warframe.
9. Which Warframes should I consider sacrificing to the Helminth?
Popular choices include:
- Rhino (Roar): A powerful damage buff.
- Nourish (Grendel): Improves energy economy, heals, and buffs damage.
- Wisp (Haste): A general movement speed and fire rate buff.
10. What are Credits used for?
Credits are used for crafting items, upgrading mods, trading with players, and various other in-game activities.
11. How do I earn Platinum without spending real money?
Platinum can be earned by trading Prime parts, mods, and other valuable items with other players. Focus on farming and selling in-demand items. You can use websites such as warframe.market to track market prices and make trades.
12. Can I get banned for selling items for real money?
Yes, selling in-game items or currency for real money is strictly prohibited and will result in a ban.
13. What are some beginner-friendly Warframes?
Some easy-to-obtain and powerful Warframes for beginners include:
- Rhino: Durable and straightforward.
- Volt: Versatile and effective in various roles.
- Excalibur: Deals great damage, and is well-rounded.
14. Where can I find reliable information about Warframe builds and trading?
Websites like warframe.market, and content creators on YouTube and Twitch are valuable resources. Be sure to check multiple sources and adapt builds to your playstyle.
15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of games like Warframe?
Explore resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for insights into the learning potential within gaming environments. You can also visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.
Conclusion: Making Informed Decisions
Managing your Warframe inventory effectively is crucial for progression. By understanding the value of resources, prioritizing Mastery Rank, and exploring the Helminth system, you can optimize your gameplay and continue your journey through the ever-expanding world of Warframe. Good luck, Tenno!