Unveiling the Drakgoon: Mastery Rank, Viability, and More in Warframe

The Drakgoon, a unique and somewhat controversial Warframe shotgun, has seen its share of ups and downs. To answer directly: Yes, the Drakgoon requires a Mastery Rank of 5 to wield. This means you’ll need to advance your account to at least Mastery Rank 5 before you can equip this weapon and unleash its peculiar brand of projectile-based chaos upon the enemies of the Origin System. This article will delve deeper into why the Drakgoon might (or might not) be a good fit for you, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and how it compares to other options.

The Drakgoon: A Closer Look

The Drakgoon stands out for its unique firing mechanism. Instead of firing a traditional shotgun blast, it launches a burst of high-velocity projectiles that can be charged for increased accuracy and status chance. This creates a distinct playstyle, somewhere between a shotgun and a projectile-based rifle. The Drakgoon offers a flexible playstyle with its ability to deliver precise shots and suppress areas with its shotgun spread.

Drakgoon’s Strengths

• High Status Chance (Charged): With a charged shot, the Drakgoon boasts a significant status chance, allowing you to reliably inflict status effects like corrosive, viral, or heat, weakening enemies and disrupting their defenses.
• Damage Potential in Close Quarters: In tight corridors and cramped spaces, the Drakgoon’s projectile spread can devastate groups of enemies, especially when combined with status effects.
• Kuva Variant: The Kuva Drakgoon elevates the weapon’s potential, offering improved stats and a unique damage bonus based on the chosen Kuva Lich. This makes the Kuva Drakgoon a significant upgrade over the standard version.

Drakgoon’s Weaknesses

• Projectile Travel Time: Unlike hitscan weapons, the Drakgoon’s projectiles have travel time, requiring you to lead your targets, especially at longer ranges.
• Ammo Efficiency: The Drakgoon can chew through ammo quickly, particularly when using rapid-fire or uncharged shots.
• Mastery Rank Requirement: As mentioned, requiring Mastery Rank 5 means newer players need to progress through the game before they can access it.

Drakgoon vs. The Competition

The Warframe arsenal is vast, so how does the Drakgoon stack up against other popular shotguns?

• Drakgoon vs. Zarr: The Zarr is generally considered a superior weapon, offering both a powerful shotgun blast and a devastating barrage of rockets. While the Drakgoon has its niche, the Zarr’s versatility and raw damage output make it a more popular choice. Especially the Kuva Zarr, considered by many to be one of the best weapons in the game.
• Drakgoon vs. Kohm (Kuva Kohm): The Kuva Kohm is a spool-up shotgun that rapidly increases its fire rate and pellet count. While the Drakgoon relies on status effects and charged shots, the Kuva Kohm focuses on overwhelming enemies with sheer firepower. Both are viable, but the Kuva Kohm’s ease of use and high damage output make it a strong contender.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Drakgoon

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Drakgoon:

1. Is the Drakgoon worth keeping?

   That depends on your playstyle. If you enjoy status-focused builds and projectile weapons, the Drakgoon can be a fun and effective choice. However, there are objectively stronger shotguns in the game.

2. What is the Mastery Rank 5 Test?

   The Mastery Rank 5 test requires players to hack six terminals within a time limit of 1:45. The player starts in the center encircled by terminals and must hack three Grineer and three Corpus terminals.

3. What is the best build for the Drakgoon?

   A common build focuses on maximizing status chance with mods like “Shotgun Savvy” and “Contagious Spread”. Add elemental mods to create powerful status combinations like Corrosive (for armored enemies) or Viral (for health-based enemies).

4. How do I get the Kuva Drakgoon?

   You can acquire the Kuva Drakgoon by defeating a Kuva Lich who has the Drakgoon as their weapon.

5. What is the best Kuva weapon?

   Many consider the Kuva Zarr and Kuva Bramma to be among the best Kuva weapons due to their high damage output and versatility.

6. What Mastery Rank is required for Kuva weapons?

   Kuva weapons generally have a higher mastery rank requirement, often between MR 13 and MR 15, depending on the specific weapon.

7. Do Kuva weapons give mastery?

   Yes, leveling Kuva weapons to 30 grants mastery, just like any other weapon. Additionally, Kuva weapons can be leveled to 40 by using Forma, granting even more mastery points.

8. What are some good alternatives to the Drakgoon?

   Alternatives include the Hek, Tigris, Corinth, and the aforementioned Zarr and Kohm.

9. Is the Drakgoon good for Steel Path?

   While the Drakgoon can be used on the Steel Path, its effectiveness is limited compared to more powerful weapons. The Kuva Drakgoon, with a strong build, can be viable, but it requires more effort. The Kuva Bramma is a popular weapon for clearing the Steel Path.

10. How do I increase my Mastery Rank?

    You increase your Mastery Rank by leveling up Warframes, weapons, companions, and other equipment to their maximum rank. Each new item leveled contributes to your Mastery Rank progress.

11. What is the maximum Mastery Rank in Warframe?

    The maximum achievable Mastery Rank in Warframe is constantly increasing with new content. As of late 2024, it is around MR 35-36.

12. Do Prime Warframes give more mastery than regular Warframes?

    Prime Warframes and regular Warframes provide the same amount of mastery points when leveled. However, Prime Warframes are often more powerful than their non-Prime counterparts.

13. What is the best way to farm Kuva?

    The fastest ways to farm Kuva include Kuva Survival missions, Kuva Flood missions, and Kuva Siphons. The Sortie mission also offers a chance for a large Kuva reward.

14. What is the level 40 weapon in Warframe?

    The Paracesis is a unique weapon that can be leveled to rank 40 after applying multiple Forma.

15. Where can I learn more about Warframe mechanics and strategies?

    You can find valuable resources on the official Warframe forums, the Warframe Wiki, and community websites. You might also find resources to study on websites such as Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.

Final Verdict: Is the Drakgoon Right for You?

The Drakgoon, while not a top-tier weapon, can be a fun and rewarding choice for players who enjoy its unique playstyle and status-focused builds. Its Mastery Rank 5 requirement is relatively low, making it accessible to newer players. However, be aware of its drawbacks and consider investing in the Kuva Drakgoon for a significant upgrade. Ultimately, the best weapon is the one you enjoy using the most. Experiment, find what works for you, and have fun exploring the vast world of Warframe!