Warframe: 10 Best Sniper Rifles

In Warframe, players have access to an extensive arsenal of weapons, ranging from explosive launchers to elegant melee blades. While many Tenno gravitate toward fast-firing assault rifles or sweeping melee combos, sniper rifles often fly under the radar. Despite their lower popularity, sniper rifles are precision tools capable of delivering massive damage, particularly in open-world environments or against high-value targets.

Sniper rifles in Warframe may not suit every mission, but in the hands of a skilled marksman, they shine in endgame content where single-shot precision and damage scaling are crucial. From landing devastating critical hits to eliminating heavily armored enemies with ease, the right sniper rifle can be a game-changer. However, not all sniper rifles are created equal; the best ones combine raw power, accuracy, and utility to remain competitive with other weapon types.

In this article, we’ll highlight the 10 best sniper rifles in Warframe and what makes them stand out. Whether you’re tackling open-world bounties, high-level bosses, or specialized missions, these weapons will help you dominate the battlefield. Let’s dive into the top picks for sniper excellence!

#10: Rubico Prime

The Rubico Prime is a classic sniper rifle in Warframe that remains a favorite among Tenno for its incredible critical damage potential and versatility. As the Prime variant of the Rubico, it boasts improved base stats, including higher critical chance, critical multiplier, and faster reload speed, making it a reliable choice for both casual and endgame content.

Designed for precision, the Rubico Prime excels at landing devastating headshots, making it particularly effective against bosses and Eidolons in the Plains of Eidolon. Its high critical multiplier ensures that each shot hits like a truck, especially when paired with mods like Vital Sense, Serration, and Hunter Munitions. Despite its slower fire rate compared to assault rifles, its accuracy and power more than compensate, making it ideal for long-range engagements.

The Rubico Prime can be obtained by farming its relics or trading with other players. With its incredible damage potential, strong synergy with critical builds, and quick reload speed, the Rubico Prime is a must-have for any Tenno looking to dominate open-world scenarios or precision-based missions.

#9: Lanka

The Lanka is a unique and powerful sniper rifle in Warframe that fires charged energy projectiles, making it a favorite for Tenno who enjoy precision and long-range damage. Its ability to deal innate Electric damage makes it particularly effective against shielded enemies and highly versatile when modded with additional elemental combinations like Viral or Radiation.

The Lanka’s charged shots allow players to unleash devastating critical hits, especially when paired with mods like Point Strike, Vital Sense, and Serration. Its high accuracy and range make it an excellent weapon for open-world missions, such as hunting Eidolons, where precise, high-damage shots are essential. The Lanka also synergizes well with builds focused on status effects, thanks to its high status chance, allowing it to strip armor and health efficiently.

While the Lanka requires practice to master its charge mechanic and projectile travel time, it rewards skilled players with incredible damage potential. The Lanka blueprint can be purchased from the Market, making it accessible to any Tenno looking for a reliable sniper rifle. For those who value long-range precision and adaptability, the Lanka is a standout choice for both standard and endgame missions.

#8: Vectis Prime

The Vectis Prime is a high-powered sniper rifle in Warframe, known for its quick handling, pinpoint accuracy, and devastating critical damage. As the Prime variant of the Vectis, it features improved stats, including higher critical chance, critical multiplier, and magazine size, making it one of the most reliable sniper rifles for both new and experienced players.

The Vectis Prime shines in missions where precision is key, excelling at taking down high-priority targets with single, high-damage shots. Its two-shot magazine reduces downtime compared to other sniper rifles, while its high critical stats ensure every shot has the potential to deal massive damage. This makes it particularly effective against heavily armored enemies and bosses, especially when paired with mods like Vital Sense, Point Strike, and Serration.

The Vectis Prime also benefits from its versatility, performing well in both open-world content like Eidolon hunting and traditional mission types. Its fast reload speed and ability to quickly dispatch enemies make it a popular choice for players who value efficiency without sacrificing firepower.

To acquire the Vectis Prime, players must farm its relics or trade with other Tenno. For those seeking a balance of power, precision, and reliability, the Vectis Prime is a top-tier sniper rifle that continues to be a favorite in the community.

#7: Komorex

The Komorex is a versatile sniper rifle in Warframe that blends precision and crowd control, making it a unique option for Tenno who value flexibility in their loadouts. It features two firing modes, with the primary fire delivering high-damage, accurate single shots, while the secondary fire launches a burst that creates a gas cloud, dealing AoE damage and applying status effects to enemies in the area.

With its innate Gas damage and high status chance, the Komorex is particularly effective against groups of enemies or in missions requiring tactical crowd control. Mods like Point Strike, Vital Sense, and Serration enhance its critical and damage output, while adding Viral or Corrosive boosts its effectiveness against tougher enemies.

The Komorex performs well in open-world and standard missions alike, providing players with a reliable weapon for both long-range engagements and area-of-effect damage. To obtain the Komorex, players can craft it using a blueprint available in the Market. For Tenno looking for a sniper rifle with a balance of precision and utility, the Komorex is an excellent choice.

#6: Snipetron Vandal

The Snipetron Vandal is a precision-based sniper rifle in Warframe that excels in high-damage single shots with strong critical potential. As an upgraded version of the standard Snipetron, the Vandal variant boasts improved critical chance, critical multiplier, and reload speed, making it a powerful and efficient choice for long-range combat.

The Snipetron Vandal deals innate Impact damage, making it particularly effective against shields and robotic enemies. Its pinpoint accuracy and high base damage allow it to excel in missions requiring precise takedowns, such as Eidolon hunts or Disruption. Mods like Point Strike, Vital Sense, and Serration further amplify its critical damage capabilities, while elemental mods like Radiation or Viral can be added for versatility against different enemy types.

Although its Impact-focused damage profile makes it less effective against armor, strategic modding can overcome this limitation, allowing it to handle high-level foes with ease. The Snipetron Vandal is a limited-time event reward and can occasionally be obtained through special offerings, making it a rare and sought-after weapon. For Tenno who value precision and critical damage, the Snipetron Vandal is a standout sniper rifle that performs exceptionally well in both open-world and traditional mission settings.

#5: Vulkar Wraith

The Vulkar Wraith is a powerful sniper rifle in Warframe that excels at delivering high-damage precision shots with added crowd-control capabilities. As the Wraith variant of the Vulkar, it features improved base stats, including enhanced critical chance, status chance, and magazine size, making it a reliable option for Tenno seeking a versatile long-range weapon.

What sets the Vulkar Wraith apart is its unique ability to slow enemies with scoped shots, providing valuable utility for controlling the battlefield. Its high Impact damage makes it particularly effective against shields and robotic enemies, while its critical and status stats allow for flexible builds tailored to different mission types. Mods like Point Strike, Vital Sense, and Serration maximize its critical damage, while adding Viral or Radiation boosts its effectiveness against armored foes.

The Vulkar Wraith shines in open-world content and missions where precision and control are key. Its large magazine size and slower fire rate make it ideal for players who prefer calculated, high-damage shots rather than rapid engagements.

Acquiring the Vulkar Wraith requires participation in specific events or trading with other players, as it is a limited-time weapon. For Tenno who value long-range power and battlefield utility, the Vulkar Wraith is a top-tier sniper rifle that holds its own in high-level content.

#4: Sporothrix

The Sporothrix is a unique sniper rifle in Warframe that offers powerful long-range precision combined with exceptional status capabilities. As part of the Infested weapon family, it stands out for its innate Viral damage, making it highly effective against health-based enemies and a versatile choice for endgame content.

The Sporothrix delivers pinpoint accuracy with its high-damage, single-shot primary fire. Its innate Viral damage synergizes perfectly with status-heavy builds, allowing it to rapidly strip enemy health and apply debilitating status effects. With a high critical multiplier and solid critical chance, it also excels when paired with mods like Point Strike, Vital Sense, and Hunter Munitions, amplifying its ability to deal massive damage.

This sniper rifle shines in missions requiring precision and status application, particularly against heavily armored foes or groups of enemies where Viral damage procs are most effective. Its unique design and aesthetic appeal also make it a standout weapon for fans of the Infested theme.

To acquire the Sporothrix, players can obtain its blueprint and parts by completing Isolation Vault bounties on Deimos. For Tenno seeking a sniper rifle with a balance of precision, power, and status prowess, the Sporothrix is an excellent choice for high-level missions and specialized encounters.

#3: Perigale

The Perigale is a precision-focused sniper rifle in Warframe, introduced with the Duviri Paradox update. This weapon stands out for its hybrid functionality, offering a mix of high single-target damage and versatility that makes it a reliable choice in various mission types.

The Perigale excels with its semi-automatic primary fire, which delivers pinpoint accuracy and high critical damage, making it a strong contender for long-range engagements and high-value target elimination. Its secondary fire, a burst shot, allows for rapid-fire precision, making it effective in handling groups of enemies or applying status effects when needed.

With a high critical chance, strong critical multiplier, and decent status chance, the Perigale thrives when paired with mods like Point Strike, Vital Sense, and Hunter Munitions. Adding elemental mods such as Viral or Radiation enhances its adaptability against tougher enemies, while its versatility ensures excellent performance in both open-world and standard missions.

The Perigale can be acquired during the Duviri Paradox questline or through Steel Path content. For Tenno who value a balance between power, precision, and versatility, the Perigale is a top-tier sniper rifle that holds its own in both endgame scenarios and casual play.

#2: Vulkar

The Vulkar is a classic sniper rifle in Warframe that combines precision and power, making it a reliable weapon for long-range engagements. Known for its straightforward design and high Impact damage, the Vulkar excels at taking down shielded and robotic enemies while delivering consistent damage in open-world and standard missions.

The Vulkar’s high critical chance and solid base damage make it an effective option for precision builds. When modded with Point Strike, Vital Sense, and Serration, it delivers devastating critical hits capable of eliminating high-priority targets with ease. Its long zoom level also grants increased damage, rewarding players who prefer sniping from a distance.

Although it lacks the advanced mechanics of its Wraith counterpart, the Vulkar’s simplicity makes it accessible and effective for new players and veterans alike. Its slow fire rate and focus on single-target damage make it ideal for missions that require precise takedowns rather than crowd control.

The Vulkar is available through crafting, with its blueprint purchasable from the Market. For Tenno seeking a no-frills sniper rifle with dependable damage and accuracy, the Vulkar is a solid choice for both early-game progression and high-level missions.

#1: Rubico

The Rubico stands as one of the most iconic sniper rifles in Warframe, renowned for its incredible critical damage potential and efficiency in precision-based combat. Its balance of power, accuracy, and speed makes it a favorite among players, especially in scenarios that demand pinpoint accuracy and high burst damage.

The Rubico’s high critical chance and multiplier ensure devastating results when landing headshots, particularly against bosses or Eidolons in the Plains of Eidolon. It boasts a fast reload speed and a high fire rate for a sniper rifle, allowing for quick follow-up shots, which is invaluable in fast-paced encounters. With mods like Point Strike, Vital Sense, and Hunter Munitions, the Rubico delivers unparalleled critical damage output, while adding elemental mods like Viral or Radiation ensures versatility against different enemy types.

Though it may lack some of the advanced mechanics of other sniper rifles, the Rubico’s simplicity and raw power make it a standout weapon for both new players and veterans. It can be acquired through crafting, with its blueprint available in the Market. For Tenno who value a reliable and high-performing sniper rifle capable of handling any mission type, the Rubico is an unbeatable choice for precision-based gameplay.

Conclusion

Sniper rifles in Warframe may not be the most commonly used weapons, but they hold a special place for players who value precision, power, and high-damage gameplay. From the versatile Rubico Prime to the unique Sporothrix, these weapons offer excellent options for long-range combat, boss fights, and open-world scenarios. Each rifle on this list has its own strengths, whether it’s the devastating critical hits of the Vectis Prime or the utility and status application of the Komorex.

Choosing the right sniper rifle depends on your playstyle and mission needs, but the top picks here ensure you’re equipped for even the toughest challenges. With the right mods and practice, these weapons can dominate in both endgame content and casual play. Experiment with these sniper rifles to find the one that fits your playstyle best, and take your precision gameplay to new heights.