What’s the Best Pet in Warframe? A Comprehensive Guide to Companions
The question of the “best pet” in Warframe isn’t as simple as it seems. It truly depends on your playstyle, your current needs, and what you’re trying to accomplish in the game. However, if we’re talking about sheer versatility and overall impact, the crown arguably goes to the Smeeta Kavat.
Why the Smeeta? This feline friend isn’t just cute; it’s a resource-farming powerhouse. Its unique ability, Charm, grants a chance for one of four incredibly powerful buffs to occur periodically:
- Doubled Resources: Instantly doubles the resource drops you pick up. Absolutely invaluable for farming rare materials.
- Critical Chance Buff: Guarantees orange critical hits for a short duration, significantly boosting damage output.
- Affinity Buff: Doubles the amount of affinity (experience) earned, making leveling up gear a breeze.
- Instant Energy: Refills your Warframe’s energy pool, allowing for more frequent ability use.
While other companions excel in specific niches, the Smeeta Kavat’s random but potentially game-changing buffs make it a top choice for almost any mission type. Want to grind for that rare Argon Crystal? Smeeta’s got your back. Need to quickly level up a new weapon? Smeeta’s on the job.
That being said, the Smeeta Kavat isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Other companions offer valuable benefits that might be better suited to your needs. For example, if you need a reliable source of healing, a different companion might be more effective. Let’s delve deeper into other viable contenders:
- Adarza Kavat: Provides a consistent crit chance buff to nearby allies, perfect for boosting team damage.
- Sahasa Kubrow: Can dig up health orbs, energy orbs, and ammo, providing excellent sustain.
- Huras Kubrow: Cloaks itself and its master, making it ideal for stealth missions.
- Carrier Sentinel: Converts ammo pickups into ammo for your equipped weapon, preventing ammo shortages.
- Helios Sentinel: Automatically scans enemies, completing your Codex entries and revealing weaknesses.
- Nautilus Sentinel: Pulls enemies together with its “Ensnare” precept mod, providing excellent crowd control.
Choosing the “best” companion ultimately comes down to personal preference and mission requirements. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each type will allow you to make an informed decision and optimize your Warframe experience.
Warframe Companions: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What pet type should I choose if I’m a beginner?
A good starting point is a Sentinel. Sentinels like the Carrier or Helios offer passive benefits like ammo conversion and automatic scanning, which are helpful regardless of your Warframe or playstyle. These are less maintenance and easier to use compared to Kubrows or Kavats.
How do I get a Kubrow or Kavat?
You’ll need to complete the quest “Howl of the Kubrow” or “The Kavat Genetic Code”. For Kubrows, this involves acquiring a Kubrow Egg from Earth. For Kavats, you’ll need to obtain Kavat Genetic Codes from the Orokin Derelict. After getting the egg or the codes, you can use the Incubator on your Orbiter to breed them.
How do I get a Vasca Kavat?
You can acquire a Vasca Kavat through random incubation using Kavat Genetic Codes. Alternatively, you can expose your Kavat to a Vasca Kavat on the Plains of Eidolon at night (they have a distinct red glow). Then, take an imprint of your infected Kavat.
What’s the difference between a Kubrow and a Kavat?
Kubrows are dog-like, while Kavats are cat-like. They have different abilities and stats. Kubrows generally focus on combat support and utility, while Kavats tend to provide buffs and resource bonuses.
How do I get more companion slots?
You can purchase companion slots from the in-game Market using Platinum.
How do I revive my companion during a mission?
Kavats, Kubrows, MOAs, Predasites and Vulpaphylas can be revived manually after being downed. Simply approach them and interact with them to revive them. Sentinels will revive automatically after a cooldown period.
What are Omega Kubrows?
Omega Kubrows are Kubrows with the largest possible size and bulky build. They are highly sought after by collectors. You can determine if a Kubrow is an Omega by looking at its face in the incubator; if it blocks the “Pet Imprint” text, it’s likely an Omega.
What is a Lotus Kubrow?
A Lotus Kubrow is a Kubrow with a Lotus symbol pattern on its head. This is a rare cosmetic pattern and does not affect the Kubrow’s abilities.
How do I know if I have a Lotus Kubrow?
Check your Kubrow’s appearance in the Incubator or Arsenal. If it has the Tenno logo (Lotus symbol) on its fur pattern, it’s a Lotus Kubrow.
Can I have multiple companions active at the same time?
No, you can only have one companion active during a mission. You can own multiple companions, but only one Kubrow or Kavat will be visible on your Orbiter at a time.
Do I need to feed my Kubrow?
No, you don’t need to feed your Kubrow. You do need to maintain their Loyalty and Stability using DNA Stabilizers, which can be crafted or purchased.
What does the Prime Kubrow Collar do?
The Prime Kubrow Collar grants the equipped Kubrow +10 Health, +10 Shields, and +100 Armor. It’s purely a stat boost and doesn’t change the Kubrow’s abilities.
Which Kubrow goes invisible?
The Huras Kubrow has the Stalk mod, which allows it to cloak itself and its master when enemies are nearby, providing stealth benefits.
What’s the rarest Kubrow fur color?
The rarity of Kubrow fur colors is subjective, but Red, Royal Blue, Purple, Orange, Gold and Chocolate are generally considered rarer and more desirable.
Are there any resources that can help me learn more about Warframe?
Absolutely! The Games Learning Society is a great resource for understanding the deeper mechanics and community aspects of games like Warframe. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org or at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. They often explore how games can be used for learning and community building.
Ultimately, the “best pet” in Warframe is the one that best complements your Warframe, your weapons, and your playstyle. Experiment, try different combinations, and find the companion that helps you conquer the Origin System!