How Much XP Do You Get Per Weapon in Warframe?
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In Warframe, mastering your arsenal is crucial for progression and unlocking new content. A fundamental aspect of this is understanding how Mastery XP is earned, particularly when it comes to weapons. So, to answer the core question directly: each weapon level grants you 100 Mastery XP. A standard weapon that reaches its maximum rank of 30 will award you 3,000 Mastery XP in total. However, certain special weapons, like Kuva or Tenet weapons, can exceed level 30 and earn you even more.
Understanding Mastery XP
Mastery XP is the term used in Warframe to represent player experience. Unlike traditional leveling systems where experience is directly used to increase your character’s level, Mastery XP contributes to your overall Mastery Rank (MR). This rank determines your access to more advanced weapons, frames, and other game features. Gaining Mastery Rank is crucial for expanding your options within the game.
Mastery XP is not tied to simply killing enemies. While defeating enemies does grant Affinity, which is then converted to XP, Mastery XP is strictly awarded when a piece of gear gains levels. It’s a one-time reward; once a weapon hits rank 30 (or 40 for special cases) for the first time, it will no longer provide additional Mastery XP. This system encourages players to experiment with different gear and expand their arsenal.
Weapon XP Deep Dive
As mentioned, weapons earn 100 Mastery XP per level. Here’s a breakdown of the different scenarios:
- Standard Weapons: These weapons, such as most of the blueprints you craft, cap out at level 30. A maxed standard weapon will therefore provide a total of 3,000 Mastery XP upon reaching rank 30.
- Kuva, Tenet, and Paracesis Weapons: These specialized weapons can exceed level 30 by using Forma. Each Forma applied to these weapons allows them to gain an additional two levels, up to a maximum of level 40 with 5 Forma. A fully maxed level 40 Kuva or Tenet weapon will provide 4,000 Mastery XP. This is an additional 1,000 compared to standard weapons.
- Leveling Affinity: It is important to note, Affinity is gained by killing enemies or completing objectives within a mission, and that affinity is distributed amongst the gear you have equipped, including maxed weapons.
- First Time Mastery Only: Critically, Mastery XP is awarded only once per weapon. You only gain Mastery from a weapon upon initially levelling it to 30 (or 40). Relevelling a weapon by Forma-ing it will not grant additional Mastery points, though the weapon will become more powerful with the added polarization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions regarding weapons and their XP gain in Warframe to help solidify your understanding.
1. Do maxed weapons still get Affinity?
Yes, maxed weapons still receive their share of Affinity during missions. Even if a weapon is at level 30 (or 40) and can’t gain further levels, it will still collect affinity from kills and mission completion. However, if there is no Lens installed on it, that affinity is effectively “wasted” as it won’t be used to level up the weapon.
2. How is Affinity distributed among weapons?
The distribution of Affinity depends on how many weapons you have equipped. The general rule is 25% of the Affinity goes to your Warframe and 75% is divided evenly amongst all equipped weapons. So, with 4 weapons equipped, each would get 18.75% of the affinity. However, if you kill enemies using a weapon, only the Warframe and the weapon doing the killing gain affinity.
3. What is the fastest way to level up weapons?
The fastest way to level up weapons is to use them to actively kill enemies in high-density zones and to bring them along on high level missions. Locations like Helene on Saturn and Hydron on Sedna are popular for farming Affinity efficiently due to large enemy spawns. Players also use the mission ESO (Elite Sanctuary Onslaught) for rapid affinity gain. Using affinity boosters and having a good team composition can further enhance the leveling speed.
4. Does the type of weapon affect how much XP I get?
No, the type of weapon (primary, secondary, melee) does not affect the amount of Mastery XP you gain. They all give 100 Mastery XP per level until they reach level 30 (or level 40 for Kuva and Tenet weapons).
5. How much Mastery XP do Warframes give?
Warframes provide 200 Mastery XP per level. Thus, a maxed Warframe will provide 6,000 Mastery XP. This is double the XP of a maxed standard weapon.
6. Do companions give Mastery XP?
Yes, just like Warframes, Companions (Sentinels and other pets) also award 200 Mastery XP per level. This is essential to consider when you’re trying to maximize your mastery gain.
7. Do Archwings give Mastery XP?
Yes, similar to Warframes and companions, Archwings give 200 Mastery XP per level. Leveling these up is also crucial for raising your Mastery Rank.
8. Do I lose Mastery Rank XP when I forma a weapon?
No, you never lose any Mastery XP once it has been earned. When you forma a weapon, you reset it to level 0, but the mastery points you gained from it remain. Forma-ing is needed to level Kuva and Tenet weapons past level 30 for additional mastery.
9. How do Forma work with Kuva and Tenet weapons?
Applying a Forma to a Kuva or Tenet weapon allows it to increase its max level by two, up to a maximum of level 40 after applying 5 forma. This will grant you more Mastery XP.
10. Do Steel Path missions give extra Mastery XP?
Steel Path missions do not give extra Mastery XP compared to normal missions. However, they may provide slightly faster Affinity gain due to harder enemies. Mastery is earned only once per node on Steel Path, like on the Star Chart.
11. Does Mastery Rank XP carry over?
Yes, Mastery Rank XP carries over. There is no limit on how much mastery you can earn. The mastery system is cumulative, meaning everything you earn contributes to your overall Mastery Rank.
12. Can I get Mastery XP from the same weapon multiple times?
No, you can only gain Mastery XP from a weapon once. Once you hit the max level and earned the full XP associated with that weapon for the first time, it won’t grant any more mastery points, even after forma.
13. Is there a maximum Mastery Rank?
Currently, the maximum Mastery Rank is 30, with ranks beyond 30 called Legendary Ranks (LR). Although you can continue to accumulate Mastery XP, the in-game Rank will only show as MR30.
14. What happens after reaching MR30?
After reaching MR30, you can still earn Mastery XP, and you unlock Legendary Ranks, though these only change the look of your emblem and are not essential to game progression. The game still encourages you to continue leveling up items.
15. Can I get Mastery from trading gear?
No, trading gear does not provide Mastery XP. You must level up weapons and Warframes yourself to gain mastery points. Selling off levelled equipment is also a viable source of platinum, but is distinct from the process of mastery.
Conclusion
Understanding how weapon XP and Mastery Rank are calculated is essential for effective progression in Warframe. Remember, each level of any weapon earns you 100 Mastery XP, and special weapons like Kuva and Tenet variants can achieve 4,000 Mastery XP upon reaching level 40. Use this information wisely to optimize your leveling strategies, and get ready to master your arsenal. By strategically choosing missions and using your gear efficiently, you can quickly climb the ranks and unlock the full potential of the game.