Is There Any Way to Get Excalibur Prime in Warframe?
The short, definitive answer is: No, there is no legitimate way to obtain Excalibur Prime in Warframe for new players or those who missed the original opportunity. Excalibur Prime was exclusively available through the Founders program, which ended in November 2013. This makes it one of the most coveted and rarest items in the game. Once the Founders program closed, the chance to acquire this unique Warframe was permanently sealed. There are no current or planned methods to acquire Excalibur Prime through in-game means, trading, or any other legitimate avenue within Warframe.
The Legacy of Excalibur Prime
Excalibur Prime holds a special place in Warframe’s history. It represents the earliest days of the game and the players who believed in and supported the project from the very beginning. He was not a Warframe that was earned or crafted within the game like the other primes; he was only available through the now defunct Founders Program.
Why is Excalibur Prime So Rare?
Excalibur Prime’s scarcity stems from his exclusive availability during the initial Founders Program. Players who purchased specific Founders packs, such as the Hunter or Grand Master tier, gained access to him. Once the game was considered fully funded and established, the Founders Program was discontinued on November 1st, 2013, effectively locking Excalibur Prime away for good. This program was a way for players to support Warframe’s early development and in turn, they gained access to exclusive gear. The exclusivity was a way to say “Thank You” to those who invested their faith in the game early on.
The Legal Aspect and Excalibur Umbra
The exclusivity of Excalibur Prime also has an important legal component. When Warframe was released in China, the exclusivity of Prime Warframes caused complications. To address this, and also give new players something similar to Excalibur Prime, Digital Extremes created Excalibur Umbra. This version of Excalibur is not quite the same, but was a work around that still allowed players access to a comparable version.
Excalibur Prime vs. Excalibur Umbra: A Comparison
While Excalibur Umbra is often seen as the closest alternative to Excalibur Prime, they are not identical. Here’s a breakdown:
- Stats: The base stats of Excalibur Prime and Excalibur Umbra are generally identical in terms of armor, health, and shields, but they have different polarities.
- Abilities: Their abilities are functionally the same, using the core Excalibur kit.
- Polarities: The main difference lies in the polarities and starting mod setup. Excalibur Umbra comes with a unique set of polarities and a pre-installed Umbral Forma, which are more powerful than standard polarities.
- Mod Sets: Umbra is designed to take full advantage of the Umbral mod set, which boosts his damage and survivability when combined.
- Scarf: Excalibur Umbra has a unique scarf/tassle and different aesthetics than the Prime counterpart.
- How to Obtain: Excalibur Umbra is earned by completing The Sacrifice questline while Excalibur Prime is locked to founder status.
While technically Excalibur Umbra is a direct upgrade from Excalibur Prime, due to its powerful mod synergies, the rarity and prestige associated with Excalibur Prime make it more desirable to collectors.
How Can You Find Excalibur Prime?
Simply put, you cannot find Excalibur Prime in the game today. There is no quest, drop, purchase, or trade that will allow you to get him. Any claims to the contrary are either scams or misinformed. He is not a tradable item or an obtainable drop from the Duviri Paradox, or any other mission.
The Unavoidable Truth
It’s understandable to feel disappointed if you’ve set your sights on acquiring Excalibur Prime, but it’s crucial to understand its history and exclusivity. Excalibur Prime is meant to be a symbol of early support, and as such, he is not available to everyone. Excalibur Umbra is a fantastic alternative with superior mod synergies and can fill the void left by not being able to get the Prime version.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs to further clarify the situation surrounding Excalibur Prime:
1. Is Excalibur Prime permanently vaulted?
Yes, Excalibur Prime is permanently vaulted and will never be unvaulted, as he was a Founders-exclusive reward.
2. Why was Excalibur Prime removed from the game?
Excalibur Prime was never actually removed. He was always exclusive to the Founders Program which has long since ended.
3. Is there any way to trade for Excalibur Prime?
No, Excalibur Prime is not tradable within the game. It is bound to the original Founder account that claimed him.
4. Is Excalibur Umbra the same as Excalibur Prime?
No, they are not the same, although they are very similar. Excalibur Umbra is a unique version of Excalibur obtainable via The Sacrifice quest.
5. Is Excalibur Umbra Prime a thing?
No, Excalibur Umbra Prime does not exist. Excalibur Umbra is what was created to get around legal restrictions of Excalibur Prime.
6. Is Excalibur Umbra stronger than Excalibur Prime?
Yes, Excalibur Umbra can be stronger than Excalibur Prime due to its unique mod polarities and compatibility with the Umbral set.
7. Can I use Excalibur skins on Excalibur Umbra?
Yes, you can use any Excalibur skin, including Prime skins, on Excalibur Umbra.
8. How did people get Excalibur Prime originally?
Excalibur Prime was only obtainable by upgrading a Warframe account to Founders status of Hunter or greater through the Founders Program.
9. When did the Founders Program end?
The Founders program ended on the 1st of November, 2013, after which Excalibur Prime became permanently unobtainable.
10. Is Excalibur the first Warframe ever made?
Excalibur Prime was the first Prime Warframe in development, but Frost Prime was the first Prime Warframe that was actually released and craftable by Tenno players.
11. Is there an evil version of Excalibur in Warframe?
No, not exactly. There is no direct, “evil” counterpart to Excalibur within Warframe lore. However, in Arthurian legend, Caliburn is often seen as a dark counterpart to Excalibur.
12. What is the hardest Warframe to farm in the game?
While difficulty is subjective, Ivara, Equinox, and Harrow are often considered to be some of the more difficult Warframes to farm due to their unique acquisition methods.
13. Was Excalibur Prime the first Warframe ever released?
No, Excalibur Prime was not the first Warframe to be released. Regular Excalibur and other non-Prime variants were available from the start of the game.
14. Why is Excalibur Prime so highly valued?
Excalibur Prime is highly valued because of its extreme rarity, history as a Founders exclusive, and representation of Warframe’s earliest days.
15. Are there any other Warframes as rare as Excalibur Prime?
Yes, there are no Warframes as rare as Excalibur Prime. There are other founder-exclusive items, like Lato Prime and Skana Prime, but no other Warframe matches the rarity of Excalibur Prime.
In conclusion, while you may never obtain Excalibur Prime, the game offers a plethora of Warframes and customizations to enjoy. Don’t let the desire for this elusive item diminish your overall experience in the game. Embrace the journey and discover the endless possibilities Warframe has to offer.