Warframe: 10 Best Melee Weapons

In Warframe, the Tenno are elite warriors, masters of both firearms and melee combat, tasked with reclaiming the solar system and gathering powerful gear. This free-to-play phenomenon by Digital Extremes captivates players with its fluid combat, diverse arsenal, and endless customization opportunities.

When it comes to melee combat, Warframe delivers some of the most exhilarating and impactful gameplay. Melee weapons aren’t just viable—they’re some of the most powerful tools at your disposal. With devastating combos, rapid attack speeds, and high critical and status chances, these weapons can obliterate even the toughest enemies in a matter of seconds. From elegant blades to heavy-hitting hammers, melee weapons are indispensable for any Tenno’s arsenal.

In this article, we’ll showcase the 10 best melee weapons in Warframe. Whether you’re looking to carve through hordes of enemies or take down high-level targets with precision, these melee weapons stand out as the most effective and versatile choices in the game. Let’s dive into the pinnacle of blade mastery!

#10: Nataruk

The Nataruk is an exceptional bow in Warframe, renowned for its precision and power. While technically a primary weapon, its melee-like mechanics and devastating potential make it a standout choice for players who enjoy precision strikes. Forged by the Sentient Hunhow, the Nataruk is designed for destruction, offering a unique charging mechanic that rewards skillful timing.

With perfect shots, the Nataruk delivers critical damage capable of obliterating enemies with a single hit. Its innate high critical chance and critical multiplier make it an excellent choice for players who prefer a mix of precision and raw power. The bow’s wide draw strength also allows for quick, uncharged shots, maintaining its versatility in fast-paced scenarios.

What sets the Nataruk apart is its ability to scale effectively into high-level content while maintaining its sleek, Sentient-inspired design. Whether you’re targeting key enemies or clearing waves, the Nataruk’s pinpoint accuracy and devastating damage ensure it earns a place among Warframe’s top weapons. While it may not fit the traditional melee category, its mechanics and performance make it a must-have for Tenno seeking deadly precision.

#9: Gram Prime

The Gram Prime is a powerhouse heavy blade in Warframe, known for its immense damage and versatility in melee combat. As the Prime variant of the Gram, it boasts increased base damage, critical chance, and status chance, making it one of the most devastating heavy blades available to the Tenno.

This weapon excels in delivering high-damage, sweeping attacks, allowing players to efficiently clear large groups of enemies. Its innate high Slash damage synergizes perfectly with mods like Condition Overload and Blood Rush, making it incredibly effective against heavily armored foes and high-level enemies. The Gram Prime’s impressive critical stats and wide attack range further elevate its performance in both solo and team-based missions.

Despite its slower attack speed, the Gram Prime more than compensates with its raw power and synergy with heavy melee builds. When equipped with mods that enhance speed or maximize combo efficiency, it becomes a relentless force on the battlefield.

The Gram Prime can be acquired by farming specific relics or trading with other players. With its unmatched damage potential and stunning, golden Prime aesthetics, this heavy blade remains a staple choice for Tenno who want a balance of style and destructive power.

#8: Nikana Prime

The Nikana Prime is a masterwork melee weapon in Warframe, combining elegance with lethal efficiency. As the Prime variant of the Nikana, it features improved base damage, critical chance, and status chance, making it one of the most versatile and effective melee weapons in the game.

This weapon excels in single-target combat, delivering precise and devastating strikes. Its high critical stats make it a perfect fit for builds utilizing mods like Blood Rush, Weeping Wounds, and Condition Overload, allowing it to scale effortlessly into high-level content. The Nikana Prime’s innate Slash damage makes it especially effective against enemies with heavy armor, as it consistently inflicts powerful bleed procs.

In addition to its combat prowess, the Nikana Prime’s sleek design makes it a favorite for Fashion Frame enthusiasts, blending seamlessly with most Warframe aesthetics. While it may lack the sweeping range of larger melee weapons, its precision and speed make it a deadly tool in skilled hands.

You can obtain the Nikana Prime through relic farming or trading. Its balance of style, power, and versatility ensures its place among the best melee weapons in Warframe and a must-have for any Tenno looking to master the blade.

#7: Guandao Prime

The Guandao Prime is a polearm weapon that stands out in Warframe for its exceptional range, high damage, and crowd-clearing potential. As the Prime version of the Guandao, it boasts enhanced base damage, critical chance, and status chance, making it a deadly choice for Tenno who favor sweeping melee attacks.

This weapon is particularly effective in missions with large groups of enemies, such as Survival or Defense, where its wide arcs and extended reach allow it to control the battlefield effortlessly. The Guandao Prime’s high critical chance makes it an ideal candidate for critical-focused builds with mods like Blood Rush and Weeping Wounds, while its strong Slash damage ensures consistent bleed procs against heavily armored targets.

While the Guandao Prime’s attack speed is slightly slower than some polearms, this is easily offset by its raw damage potential and synergy with combo-focused mods. Pair it with Primed Reach for even greater crowd control, and you’ll find it becomes an indispensable tool in your arsenal.

The Guandao Prime can be acquired through relic farming or trading. With its combination of range, power, and versatility, it’s a must-have for players looking to dominate the battlefield in style.

#6: Atterax

The Atterax is a whip-style melee weapon in Warframe, revered for its incredible critical potential and unmatched synergy with combo-focused builds. Known for its high attack speed, exceptional critical chance, and long reach, the Atterax is one of the most effective weapons for clearing hordes of enemies in both low and high-level missions.

This weapon excels in crowd control thanks to its wide sweeping attacks, which can easily hit multiple enemies at once. When paired with mods like Blood Rush and Weeping Wounds, the Atterax becomes a critical damage powerhouse, capable of scaling indefinitely as its combo counter grows. Its innate Slash damage further enhances its performance, reliably inflicting bleed procs that bypass enemy armor.

Despite its raw power, the Atterax is also beginner-friendly, offering forgiving handling and consistent damage output without requiring heavy investment in mods. For players seeking to amplify its capabilities, adding Primed Reach and Berserker Fury can turn it into a whirlwind of destruction.

The Atterax can be crafted using a blueprint from the Market. Its combination of speed, range, and critical synergy makes it a go-to choice for Tenno looking to dominate melee combat with style and efficiency.

#5: Kronen Prime

The Kronen Prime is a dual-bladed tonfa weapon in Warframe, known for its exceptional speed, precision, and critical potential. As the Prime variant of the Kronen, it features increased base damage, critical chance, and status chance, making it a favorite for Tenno who enjoy fast and fluid melee combat.

The Kronen Prime excels in delivering rapid, sweeping attacks that allow players to control crowds with ease while dealing consistent damage. Its high critical and status stats make it incredibly effective with builds centered on Blood Rush and Condition Overload, enabling it to shred through even heavily armored enemies in high-level content. The weapon’s innate Slash damage ensures frequent bleed procs, adding to its lethal efficiency.

What sets the Kronen Prime apart is its agility and seamless integration into parkour-heavy playstyles. Its fast attack speed and responsive combos make it perfect for Tenno who favor mobility and quick-strike tactics. Whether you’re cutting through waves of enemies or focusing on single-target precision, the Kronen Prime adapts to any situation with ease.

You can obtain the Kronen Prime by farming its parts through relics or trading with other players. With its balance of speed, power, and versatility, the Kronen Prime is a must-have melee weapon for any Tenno looking to dominate the battlefield with style.

#4: Lesion

The Lesion is a polearm weapon in Warframe renowned for its deadly status chance and ability to stack damage over time. Its innate Toxin damage, coupled with high base status chance, makes it a formidable weapon against both armored and unarmored enemies. Lesion’s unique mechanic grants increased attack speed and bonus Toxin damage whenever you inflict a status proc, making it a perfect fit for status-heavy builds.

This weapon excels in crowd control and sustained damage, thanks to its long reach and fluid combos. Mods like Condition Overload and Weeping Wounds amplify its potential by taking advantage of its ability to trigger multiple status effects. Its high Slash damage ensures frequent bleed procs, which are particularly effective against heavily armored foes.

The Lesion’s synergy with elemental mods allows for flexible builds tailored to specific mission types, making it one of the most versatile melee weapons in the game. Despite its slower attack speed compared to some other weapons, the Lesion compensates with its raw damage output and scaling potential.

You can obtain the Lesion by crafting it with parts available from the Market or as drops. With its combination of status synergy, range, and adaptability, the Lesion is a top-tier melee weapon for Tenno looking to dominate both early and late-game content.

#3: Redeemer Prime

The Redeemer Prime is a unique gunblade in Warframe, blending powerful melee strikes with devastating ranged shotgun blasts. As the Prime variant of the Redeemer, it boasts enhanced base damage, critical chance, and status chance, making it a versatile weapon that excels in both close-quarters and mid-range combat.

This weapon’s hybrid mechanics allow it to switch seamlessly between slashing enemies with its blade and firing lethal projectiles with its charged attacks. The Redeemer Prime’s high Slash and status damage make it particularly effective against heavily armored targets, while its critical potential shines when paired with mods like Blood Rush and Primed Pressure Point. Adding mods like Berserker Fury and Healing Return further enhances its versatility and survivability.

The Redeemer Prime is especially useful in high-level missions where flexibility is key. Its charged attacks can clear groups of enemies at range, while its melee combos handle close engagements with ease. This adaptability makes it a favorite for players who want a weapon that can handle a variety of combat scenarios.

You can obtain the Redeemer Prime by farming relics or trading with other players. With its unmatched versatility and unique playstyle, the Redeemer Prime is a must-have melee weapon for any Tenno seeking to dominate the battlefield with flair and precision.

#2: Orthos Prime

The Orthos Prime is a polearm weapon in Warframe that’s celebrated for its incredible range, speed, and efficiency in melee combat. As the Prime version of the Orthos, it comes with enhanced base damage, critical chance, and status chance, making it a versatile and reliable weapon for clearing hordes of enemies and tackling high-level content.

The Orthos Prime excels at crowd control, with its wide, sweeping attacks allowing players to cut down multiple enemies in a single swing. Its impressive range, combined with mods like Primed Reach, makes it one of the best weapons for controlling large groups in missions such as Survival and Defense. The weapon’s high critical chance and synergy with mods like Blood Rush and Condition Overload enable it to scale effectively into endgame missions, delivering consistent damage even against tough enemies.

What sets the Orthos Prime apart is its ease of use and adaptability. It’s beginner-friendly, yet powerful enough to satisfy veteran Tenno. Its fast attack speed ensures fluid combos, making it an excellent choice for both new players and those looking to optimize their melee arsenal.

The Orthos Prime can be acquired through relic farming or trading with other players. With its balance of range, speed, and damage potential, it remains one of the most reliable and sought-after melee weapons in Warframe.

#1: Galatine Prime

The Galatine Prime reigns supreme as one of the most powerful melee weapons in Warframe. This massive heavy blade delivers devastating damage with each swing, making it an unparalleled choice for Tenno seeking raw power. As the Prime variant of the Galatine, it features significantly increased base damage, critical chance, and status chance, cementing its place as the top melee weapon in the game.

The Galatine Prime excels in missions where overwhelming force is needed. Its wide arcs and heavy-hitting strikes make it perfect for clearing waves of enemies in Survival or Defense missions. The weapon’s innate Slash damage synergizes beautifully with mods like Blood Rush, Weeping Wounds, and Condition Overload, enabling it to scale into high-level content with ease. It also handles heavily armored enemies with surgical precision, thanks to its high Slash procs and immense critical potential.

Though its attack speed is slower than smaller melee weapons, the Galatine Prime’s sheer power compensates, making every swing impactful. Pair it with Berserker Fury or Arcane Strike to offset its speed and turn it into a relentless force of destruction.

The Galatine Prime can be obtained through relic farming or trading. With its breathtaking power, iconic design, and unmatched damage potential, the Galatine Prime stands tall as the ultimate melee weapon in Warframe, earning its well-deserved spot at the top.

Conclusion

Melee weapons in Warframe are more than just tools of destruction—they are a testament to the Tenno’s mastery of combat. From the devastating power of the Galatine Prime to the precision of the Nikana Prime, each weapon on this list offers unique strengths that cater to various playstyles. Whether you prefer sweeping through hordes with a polearm, delivering precision strikes with a blade, or unleashing hybrid attacks with a gunblade, Warframe’s melee arsenal has something for everyone.

These weapons not only excel in damage output but also offer fluid combos and scalability for high-level content, making them indispensable for any mission. Choosing the right melee weapon can elevate your gameplay, allowing you to tackle even the toughest challenges with style and efficiency. As you experiment with builds and mods, these top-tier melee weapons will ensure you dominate the battlefield and look great doing it. Equip your favorite and embrace the blade, Tenno!