In Warframe, you can build a plethora of weapons with unique properties which include everything from blades to plasma beams. However, the true path of the Tenno is forged in steel. As such, melee weapons are some of the most powerful weapons to wield while laying waste to hordes of enemies. Apart from Modular Weapons like a Zaw, there are over 180 melee weapons in the game, some of which are inevitably better than the rest. The following are the eight best melee weapons in Warframe, ranked.
Best Melee Weapons Tier List in Warframe
| Tier | Melee Weapons |
|---|---|
| S | Nikana Prime, Kronen Prime |
| A | Nami Skyla Prime, Nepheri |
| B | Dual Keres Prime, Stropha |
| C | Sigma & Octantis, Vastilok |
Best Melee Weapons in Warframe, ranked
It is worth mentioning that while all Prime weapons have their default counterparts, the primed versions always boast higher base stats, as well as more polarity slots. Furthermore, each weapon has a Mastery Rank (MR) requirement that players need to meet to obtain them. That being said, the following are the best melee weapons to use in Warframe.
S Tier Melee Weapons in Warframe
Nikana Prime
Required MR: 12
The Nikana Prime is one of the most popular and sought after weapons by the Tenno at large, and we'd be lying if we said it was not for its sleek aesthetic. However, the Nikana Prime also happens to be one of the best melee weapons overall, thanks to the fact that is boasts the highest critical chance and critical multiplier of all nikanas in Warframe. Additionally, it features the second-highest status chance and attack speed of all nikanas. Blind Justice is the ideal Stance mod to equip onto this weapon, as it will enhance its slash damage while also bumping your mobility with fast, sweeping attacks. Owing to it's high status chance, the Nikana Prime is also a great sword for hybrid builds utilizing elemental damage. The great base stats, coupled with the fact that it truly makes you feel like a ninja in space, is why the Nikana Prime is possibly the best melee weapon in Warframe.
Kronen Prime
Required MR: 13
The Kronen Prime is one of the most popular melee weapons in Warframe. These tonfas feature the highest critical chance of all tonfas in-game, and also boast the second-highest base damage and status chance within all weapons in this category. In the Stance slot, this weapon benefits from Gemini Cross, which adds to the Kronen's slashing potential. Shattering Impact is also great for stripping down enemy shields. All in all, whether it is built for straight up slash-and-dash, or to maximize elemental damage against specific factions, the Kronen Prime is a solid choice for a melee weapon for almost any objective in Warframe.
A Tier Melee Weapons in Warframe
Nami Skyla Prime
Required MR: 11
The Nami Skyla Prime is the primed version of the sword and dagger combo. It has the highest attack speed of all dual swords in-game, and the second-highest status chance. Featuring a decent base damage, it primarily focuses on dealing slash based multi-hit combos to targets at blitzing speed. For Stance, the Swirling Tiger mod works wonders to double down on this weapon's slashing potential. The Nami Skyle Prime is great for cutting through enemies at close range and can greatly benefit from mods like Gladiator Might, among others, that increase critical chance, critical multiplier, and attack speed.
Nepheri
The Nepheri are the signature dual daggers of Archon Amar, and can be obtained by players by completing Narmer Bounties. These dual daggers have a unique neutral combo where the player does two frontal slashes, then releases four fireballs in succession that deal 50% of the weapon's base damage as Heat damage to enemies. It also features the highest base damage, highest status chance, and the longest range of all dual daggers. If you're looking for a weapon to constantly proc fire damage on enemies, the Nepheri is sure to become one of the favorite toys in your arsenal.
B Tier Melee Weapons in Warframe
Dual Keres Prime
Required MR: 14
The Dual Keres Prime is the more lethal, deadlier version of Khora's signature weapon. This dual blade is yet another weapon which deals heavy slash damage that can rip through hordes of enemies with ease. It features the highest attack speed of dual swords, only behind the Nami Skyla Prime. It also has high critical and status chance. To maximize this weapon's potential, pair it up with the Swirling Tiger Stance mod, coupled with mods to increase your critical damage, critical chance, range, and attack speed.
Stropha
Required MR: 10
The Stropha is a powerful gunblade of Corpus technology, and can be obtained from the Granum Void and the Jackal Assassination mission. This weapon features the highest base damage, critical chance, and critical multiplier of all gunblades in the game. It does slash damage on its melee attacks and deals heavy impact damage on it's ranged attack. The ranged attack deals damage in a cone shaped radius in front of you and can impact a wide range of targets. Additionally, the projectiles have innate punch-through. Pair it with the Bullet Dance Stance mod, as it matches with the guns Madurai polarity. Overall, the Stropha is a gunblade to clear camps of enemies in one-shot.
C Tier Melee Weapons in Warframe
Sigma & Octantis
Required MR: 10
The Sigma & Octantis is a sword and shield combo that can be obtained for free from the Daily Tribute system on day 300. This weapon primarily deals tons of slash damage to enemies, which can be further built upon by using the Final Harbinger Stance mod which features high damage slashing strikes. It also has the highest base attack speed of all sword and shield melee weapons, and a base critical chance of 28%. Additionally, it has a passive block which stores charge from blocking attacks. Each charge provides increased critical chance and status chance until they are consumed. All in all, the Sigma & Octantis is a great melee weapon which any player can get with a bit of perseverance and patience.
Vastilok
Required MR: 9
The Vastilok is a gunblade that is of Grineer origin that can be obtained from Baro Ki'Teer for 325,000 Credits and 550 Ducats. This gunblade operates like a shotgun at range, firing nine pellets at base stats. It primarily deals slash damage and is great for tearing down enemy shields. Pair it up with the Shattering Impact mod, and each pellet is going to contribute to reducing enemy armor. Additionally, it features the highest status chance of all gunblades, including a very high critical chance. Using the High Noon Stance mod on this weapon will further increase its slash potential, making it a great melee for almost any Warframe.
Looking for weapons to carry you through the late game in Warframe? Check out Warframe Kuva Weapons Tier List, right here on Pro Game Guides.
Rajnil Bargi is a Journalism Graduate whose passion for gaming bloomed during the mid-2000s with titles like Age of Empires, I.G.I-2, and Half-Life 2. He has been publishing as a Contributing Writer at Pro Game Guides for over a year, primarily specializing in PC and mobile games. RPGS, Racing Sims, MOBAs and FPS are some of his favorite genres. When he's not completely enthralled in the world of gaming, he's usually playing music, going for hikes, or ordering pizza with way too much cheese.