Warframe delivers over 50 classes (or frames) to choose from, and for those really into the MMO, there’s always some sort of meta to follow. However, with the ebb and flow of the game, that changes from time to time.
As of right now, here are all the Warframes ranked in a tier list, with top picks starting at S-Tier. This is subject to change based on future updates and when new mods or mechanics are introduced later down the line.
All Warframes, ranked
This tier list is an indicator of what frames are versatile for most of Warframe’s content. A lower-tier doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t viable at all; it’s just that higher ranks require less effort to really make their abilities shine.
S-Tier
Kullervo, Mesa, Mirage, Nova, Octavia, Saryn, Trinity, Volt, Wisp
Frames listed here aren’t necessarily “overpowered” by any means, but their strengths are particularly robust over others ranking lower on this list. For example, Mirage can make even the weakest weapons work wonders thanks to her Hall of Mirrors and Eclipse abilities. However, she’s still a glass cannon and can’t survive without destroying her enemies.
If you don’t want that whole glass cannon aspect, other frames like Mesa and Saryn can use their abilities and decimate enemies before they can even touch them. They rely more on builds than amplifying weapons. They both have kits that help them survive against enemy hordes and clear rooms, though they require much more energy management.
Room-clearing aspects aside, having an S-tier support like Trinity or Wisp is good in almost any situation. They’re very popular in team play when it comes to content like Eidolon Hunts, certain limited-time events, and endurance missions. What they have can sometimes even be game-breaking and borderline cheese at times. Will they receive nerfs again? Probably not, as they have already seen their stuff get toned down a bit.
The rest listed here can basically solo a majority of the game’s content either through crowd control or an extremely powerful survival mechanic. If you tend to struggle with that late-game content, try giving one of these a try with a decent build.
A-Tier
Baruuk, Chroma, Citrine, Dagath, Ember, Equinox, Gara, Gyre, Harrow, Hildryn, Ivara, Khora, Lavos, Limbo, Loki, Mag, Nekros, Nidus, Oberon, Protea, Qorvex, Revenant, Rhino, Styanax, Titania, Voruna, Wukong, Xaku
Warframe’s roster in our A-tier comfortably takes on all of the MMO’s endgame content. These frames compete for a spot among the best, as some builds easily make you feel like you’re cheesing content. Also, don’t worry about anything A-Tier section getting nerfed. They’ve already received some balance changes, and we expect that’s the extent of their tweaks.
Frames like Citrine, Nidus, Protea, and Styanax received some significant nerfs. There was pushback against the changes, but they are still incredibly strong either as a support or room-clearing frame.
DPS frames like Baruuk, Chroma, Equinox, Khora, Protea, Styanax, and Xaku can easily go into endurance missions and get by with ease. However, you do have to focus on very specific builds that can get them there. It takes longer and more resources to get to that unlike the top-tiers listed above.
There are also plenty of tank frames like Revenant, Rhino, Wukong, and the newly released Qorvex. Technically, Nidus fits here as well, only proving that many A-Tier frames are just that versatile. Tanking isn’t usually the name of the game, but it’s a fun way to break from the AoE instant enemy clearing and cheesing potential that others have in Warframe.
Then, you have the more support-styled frames that can still benefit the team. Those like Nekros can help with loot drops, but then you also have Harrow, Hildryn, Oberon, and Titania who can give you a specific type of support.
B-Tier
Ash, Atlas, Banshee, Caliban, Excalibur, Frost, Garuda, Gauss, Hydroid, Inaros, Nezha, Sevagoth, Valkyr, Vauban
Like I said, the lower a frame’s tier is doesn’t mean it’s less viable at higher levels. Some weaknesses are more apparent, but certain gimmicks help them still pick up the slack. If anything, this is the fun tier of Warframe classes.
Many frames here deviate from meta and cheesing through, keeping the game refreshing with unique tactics and styles. Even if some struggle in late-game content, that’s why there are so many things like weapons, the Helminth system, and Gear items to help shape an overall setup.
You have a frame like Caliban, who can adapt to damage types and strip armor from enemies, for example. However, a frame on a higher tier like Mag can do the armor stripping and more with a lot easier setup and good crowd control from her abilities.
More comparisons can be made for frames like Ash, who still performs well in stealth missions like Spy, but his fellow counterparts like Loki and Ivara can do that with ease. There’s more of a coolness factor with him, along with a few other abilities that can crowd-control enemies.
Then there are frames like Frost, Excalibur, Valkyr, and Banshee who are some of the OG’s of Warframe. They’re iconic in that they’ve been around the longest, but have since been made a bit obsolete because of the newer frames inspired by them. This isn’t to write them off as bad, but there are frames that work just like the aforementioned and deliver a lot more damage than they do.
C-Tier
Grendel, Nyx, Yareli, Zephyr
In Warframe, you either use a fame that clears rooms at a decent pace, be an awesome support, or an undying tank. Unfortunately, those we chose to be at the lowest tier do need some extra work to take on more challenging tasks, but can rise to the challenge with a little love.
Grendel Prime may have just come out, but he and his normal counterpart still lack in power other than being a tank with subpar buffs and CC. Nyx has abilities that don’t really scale well into the endgame and feels more like a relic of Warframe’s past, and Zephyr just feels restricted without being out in an open world like the Plains of Eidolon.
