Warframe is packed with powerful Warframes built for different roles, and when it comes to surviving the toughest missions, having a solid tank is essential. Tank Warframes can soak up massive amounts of damage, protect teammates, and stay in the fight far longer than most. Whether you’re pushing through Steel Path content or just want to feel unstoppable, this list ranks the 15 best tank Warframes in the game based on survivability, defensive abilities, and overall effectiveness in high-pressure scenarios.

#15: Oberon

Oberon may not be the first Warframe that comes to mind when thinking of tanks, but his kit offers some underrated survivability that can carry players through tough content. His Renewal ability passively heals allies over time and can be combined with Phoenix Renewal to prevent death once, giving him a built-in safety net. When modded for high armor and health, Oberon can hold his own in solo missions or act as a strong support-tank hybrid in squads, especially when dealing with status-heavy enemies.

#14: Grendel

Grendel is a true tank by design, built to absorb hits and stay in the fight longer than most. His passive grants armor for every enemy he’s consumed, and his Feast ability allows him to store enemies in his gut, removing threats from the field while gaining buffs. Paired with his high health pool and armor scaling, Grendel can bulldoze through missions while barely flinching. Though his kit takes some getting used to, especially managing energy and enemies in his belly, Grendel shines in high-level content where staying alive is half the battle.

#13: Lavos

Lavos brings a unique tanking playstyle to Warframe thanks to his ability to shrug off status effects and his cooldown-based abilities. Unlike most Warframes, Lavos doesn’t use energy—instead, all of his skills operate on cooldowns, which means he can keep fighting even in energy-draining missions. His passive grants complete immunity to status effects every ten seconds, and his abilities allow him to control crowds while healing and buffing himself. With smart ability use and proper modding, Lavos can outlast many enemies, making him a great choice for players who prefer a methodical, durable Warframe.

#12: Atlas

Atlas stands tall as a brawler Warframe with unmatched resistance to crowd control. Thanks to his passive, he becomes completely immune to knockdowns while standing on the ground, which pairs well with his naturally tanky stats and armor scaling. His abilities let him summon rumblers to distract enemies and create protective barriers, but the real draw is his Landslide ability—a powerful punch that becomes deadlier with each hit and restores energy on kill. When modded for armor and strength, Atlas can bulldoze through missions while barely taking a scratch, making him a solid choice for tank lovers who enjoy punching their problems away.

#11: Valkyr

Valkyr is one of the most aggressive tank Warframes in the game, built around survivability through pure rage. Her ultimate ability, Hysteria, turns her into an invulnerable melee beast, allowing her to slash through enemies without taking any damage. While Hysteria is active, Valkyr regenerates health with every hit and becomes immune to most status effects, making her nearly unstoppable in close-quarters combat. She also has access to Warcry, which boosts armor and attack speed for her and her allies. When built for duration and efficiency, Valkyr becomes a relentless force on the battlefield, ideal for players who want to tank by going on the offensive.

#10: Gara

Gara is a unique tank Warframe that uses glass as both offense and defense. Her key ability, Splinter Storm, shrouds her and allies in swirling shards that reduce incoming damage and deal damage to nearby enemies. When paired with Mass Vitrify, which creates a wall of solid glass that can be shattered to refresh and amplify Splinter Storm, Gara becomes incredibly durable. Her tankiness doesn’t come from traditional armor or shields but from her ability to constantly reduce damage taken while dealing damage over time. With the right build, Gara can solo high-level content while supporting teammates with defensive utility.

#9: Frost

Frost is a classic tank Warframe known for his incredible crowd control and defense capabilities. His signature ability, Snow Globe, creates a large protective bubble that blocks incoming enemy fire, making him a top-tier pick for defense and excavation missions. Frost also has strong survivability thanks to his high armor and health, especially when paired with mods like Steel Fiber and Vitality. His Avalanche ability can freeze and shatter enemies in an area, providing both damage and additional crowd control. While not as mobile as some other tanks, Frost is a reliable and durable choice for players who prefer holding the line.

#8: Hildryn

Hildryn is a powerhouse tank Warframe who trades energy for shields, allowing her to spam abilities as long as her shields remain up. This unique mechanic makes her incredibly durable, especially when combined with mods that enhance shield capacity and regeneration. Her Pillage ability is her bread and butter—it strips enemy shields and armor while restoring her own, giving her endless sustain in tough fights. Hildryn also provides team support with Haven, which grants shield-based buffs to allies and damages enemies. With her natural resistance to status effects and massive shield pool, Hildryn is perfect for high-level missions where survivability is key.

#7: Nezha

Nezha might look flashy, but he’s one of the most deceptively tanky Warframes in the game. His Warding Halo ability creates a spinning shield that absorbs a portion of incoming damage and even provides status immunity while it’s active. When built properly, this shield can tank through even Steel Path-level threats. On top of that, his speed and crowd control make him tough to pin down—he can dash through enemies with Fire Walker, leaving a trail of flame that staggers foes and clears out weaker ones. Nezha blends survivability with agility, making him a fantastic choice for players who like to stay mobile while soaking up damage.

#6: Baruuk

Baruuk is a calm storm waiting to erupt, and his tankiness lies in his ability to avoid damage entirely. Thanks to Elude, he can dodge incoming projectiles passively as long as he isn’t attacking. This drastically reduces the amount of direct damage he takes. As he builds up Restraint, Baruuk can eventually unleash Serene Storm, turning him into a walking whirlwind of destruction that also staggers enemies and keeps them off him. His kit excels at controlling the battlefield, deflecting danger rather than simply absorbing it, making him an excellent pick for players who want to survive by outmaneuvering and suppressing threats instead of brute force.

#5: Chroma

Chroma is one of the most versatile tank Warframes thanks to his ability to scale his survivability and damage through Vex Armor. When Chroma takes damage to his shields, his armor gets boosted, and when he takes damage to health, his weapon damage gets a major buff. This synergy makes him a powerhouse in high-level missions where damage is constant. Add in Elemental Ward for extra survivability depending on your chosen element—like health regeneration with Heat or bonus armor with Cold—and you’ve got a tank that can also melt enemies in seconds. With proper setup, Chroma becomes an unstoppable juggernaut.

#4: Revenant

Revenant is a near-immortal tank when built correctly, thanks to his Mesmer Skin ability. Every charge of Mesmer Skin negates incoming damage and stuns the attacker, making him incredibly hard to kill even in Steel Path missions. Unlike traditional tanks who rely on armor or shield gating, Revenant simply avoids damage altogether. Paired with his Enthrall ability to control enemies and Reave for mobility and healing, Revenant can sustain himself while dishing out serious damage. He’s the kind of Warframe that walks into chaos and walks out untouched.

#3: Nidus

Nidus is a tank through sheer mutation and resilience. With his passive letting him revive if he has at least 15 stacks of Mutation, and his abilities scaling with enemies, he becomes harder to kill the longer he’s in combat. His Parasitic Link redirects damage, Virulence builds up Mutation stacks while dealing damage, and Ravenous provides healing and crowd control. The longer Nidus stays alive, the more unstoppable he becomes, making him one of the best tank Warframes for long survival runs or high-level endurance content.

#2: Rhino

Rhino is one of the most iconic tank Warframes in the game and a favorite among new and veteran players alike. His Iron Skin ability gives him a massive buffer of health that absorbs incoming damage, making him incredibly hard to kill. On top of that, his Roar ability boosts the entire team’s damage output, giving him utility beyond just soaking up hits. Rhino is easy to build, scales well into higher levels, and works great in nearly every mission type. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense tank that can handle just about anything, Rhino is always a solid choice.

#1: Inaros

Inaros stands at the top when it comes to pure survivability in Warframe. With an enormous health pool and no reliance on shields, Inaros thrives in high-damage environments where other Warframes might struggle. His passive lets him self-revive by draining enemies, and his abilities—especially Devour and Scarab Swarm—focus on healing, crowd control, and damage mitigation. What makes Inaros so tanky is that he can regenerate health endlessly and take hits without relying on energy or armor buffs. He’s the ultimate pick for players who want to tank through anything without worrying too much about ability management or complex builds.

Conclusion

Warframe offers a wide variety of tanky Warframes, each with their own unique mechanics to survive the game’s toughest missions. Whether you prefer brute force like Rhino, sustain through health like Inaros, or utility-based tanking like Hildryn, there’s a frame to match every playstyle. As enemies get stronger, having a reliable tank on your squad can make a huge difference. No matter your experience level, these top tank Warframes will help you hold the line and come out on top.