Are Zaws Better Than Melee in Warframe? A Comprehensive Guide
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The age-old question: Are Zaws truly superior to traditional melee weapons in Warframe? The answer, as with most things in this complex game, is nuanced. Simply put, Zaws can be better, but it depends heavily on your build, playstyle, and the specific Zaw components you choose. They offer unparalleled customization and access to powerful Exodia Arcanes, granting unique abilities. When perfectly crafted, a Zaw can outclass even some of the best pre-built melee weapons. But out of the box, any Zaw pales in comparison to well-built and forma’d melee weapons.
The Power of Customization
Zaws are essentially Warframe’s version of a modular weapon system. Created in Cetus on Earth, you combine three components – a Strike, a Grip, and a Link – to determine the weapon’s stats and weapon type. This level of customization is simply unavailable with standard melee weapons. The ability to fine-tune stats like damage, attack speed, status chance, and critical chance is a huge advantage.
Strike: The Heart of the Zaw
The Strike dictates the type of weapon the Zaw will be (dagger, sword, heavy blade, etc.) and its base damage. Different Strikes offer varying stat distributions, allowing you to prioritize raw damage, speed, or a balance of both. Choosing the right Strike for your desired weapon type is crucial.
Grip: Shaping the Style
The Grip influences the weapon’s attack speed and handling. Shorter Grips generally result in faster attack speeds, while longer Grips offer increased damage but slower swings.
Link: Fine-Tuning the Stats
The Link provides additional stat boosts, affecting critical chance, status chance, and attack speed. Selecting the appropriate Link is essential for optimizing your Zaw’s performance based on its Strike and Grip.
The Exodia Advantage
The defining feature that sets Zaws apart is their ability to equip Exodia Arcanes. These Arcanes provide passive benefits, significantly enhancing your gameplay. Examples include:
- Exodia Brave: Restores energy on heavy attacks, invaluable for energy-hungry Warframes.
- Exodia Contagion: Launches a projectile on heavy attacks, dealing massive damage and applying status effects.
- Exodia Hunt: Pulls enemies towards you on slam attacks, creating opportunities for crowd control.
These unique Arcane effects, combined with the customizable nature of Zaws, unlock powerful and synergistic builds that are simply not possible with standard melee weapons.
The Gilded Zaw
After constructing your Zaw, you must gild it at Hok’s Anvil in Cetus. Gilding unlocks the full potential of the Zaw. This process will reset the weapon’s level back to Rank 0, allowing you to level it up again. A Gilded Zaw will have all of the functionality available to other weapons, and it will have enhanced stats over the newly-built version of the Zaw.
Important Note: You must level up the gilded Zaw to Rank 30 to gain its Mastery Rank points. After it reaches rank 30, you will need to level it again if you apply forma.
The Verdict: Worth the Effort?
Ultimately, Zaws are a worthwhile investment for players seeking to optimize their melee builds and leverage unique abilities. The customization options and the power of Exodia Arcanes offer unparalleled flexibility. However, it’s crucial to understand that building a truly exceptional Zaw requires research, experimentation, and significant resource investment. But when done right, your Zaw can become an indispensable tool in your Warframe arsenal. You can explore the world of game design and learning through games at Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do Zaws contribute to Mastery Rank?
Each Zaw Strike counts as a unique melee weapon for Mastery Rank purposes. Leveling a Zaw to Rank 30, gilding it, and then leveling it again to Rank 30 awards you with Mastery Points. Creating a unique Zaw for all 11 Strikes will net you a substantial amount of Mastery Points.
2. What does gilding a Zaw actually do?
Gilding a Zaw enhances its base stats and allows you to add a custom name to the weapon. Gilding is required before you can equip an Exodia Arcane or install Formas to further customize the polarity slots.
3. Can you trade Zaw parts with other players?
No. Zaw parts are not tradable. You must farm them yourself through Ostron standing and resource collection on the Plains of Eidolon. Only Prime parts, mods, and certain other items can be traded.
4. What is the “best” Zaw to make?
There’s no single “best” Zaw, as it depends on your playstyle and the specific content you’re tackling. However, popular choices include:
- High-Damage Dagger Zaw: Built for heavy attacks, especially effective with Exodia Brave for energy sustain.
- Sword Zaw with Mewan Strike: A versatile option that can be built for either critical hits or status effects.
5. Are Zaws better than Prime melee weapons?
In some cases, yes. A perfectly optimized Zaw with the right Exodia Arcane can surpass the performance of many Prime melee weapons, especially in specific niches. However, many Prime weapons offer excellent base stats and unique passive abilities that make them competitive.
6. Can you put weapon skins on Zaws?
Yes, but with limitations. Some weapon skins are type-specific. For example, you can use a Greatsword skin on a Greatsword Zaw, but you cannot use a One-Handed Sword skin on a Two-Handed Zaw.
7. How can I tell if a Zaw is gilded?
If the Zaw has any name other than “Zaw,” then it’s been gilded. Also, only gilded Zaws can equip Exodia Arcanes.
8. Are Zaws and Kitguns worth the effort?
Yes. Infested Kitgun and Zaw parts are much spammier. Infested Kitguns, make for great AoE weapons, and Zaws can use Exodia Contagion to output massive damage.
9. What is the best Exodia Arcane for Zaws?
The “best” Exodia Arcane depends on your build and playstyle. However, Exodia Brave (energy sustain) and Exodia Contagion (projectile damage) are consistently popular choices.
10. How do I get Zaw parts?
Zaw parts are obtained by earning standing with the Ostron Syndicate in Cetus. You can then purchase blueprints from Hok using your earned standing and resources gathered on the Plains of Eidolon.
11. What are the best Warframes to use with Zaws?
Any Warframe that benefits from strong melee combat can synergize well with Zaws. Popular choices include Excalibur, Valkyr, Atlas, and Garuda.
12. Do Zaws have Riven Mods?
Yes, you can obtain Riven Mods specifically for Zaws. These Riven Mods can significantly enhance the Zaw’s stats, but they require unveiling and rerolling to achieve desired affixes.
13. What is the impact of Forma on Zaws?
Using Forma on a Zaw allows you to change the polarity of its mod slots, optimizing your build and enabling you to fit more powerful mods. However, using Forma resets the weapon’s level back to Rank 0.
14. Are Zaws affected by melee weapon stance mods?
Yes. The type of stance mod you can equip depends on the Zaw’s weapon type (dagger, sword, heavy blade, etc.). Stance mods provide combo attacks and additional stat bonuses.
15. Where can I learn more about Warframe builds and mechanics?
Numerous online resources are available, including the official Warframe forums, Warframe Wiki, and various community-created websites and YouTube channels. Experimentation and theory-crafting are key to mastering Warframe’s complex systems.