Warframe: 8 Rarest Resources

Warframe, Digital Extremes’ iconic looter shooter MMO, thrives on its vast arsenal of powerful weapons and equipment. To craft these items, players need blueprints—and a significant stash of resources—to bring them to life in the Orbiter’s Foundry. While some resources are common and easy to gather, others are far more elusive, requiring effort and strategy to obtain.

Across Warframe’s expansive planetary nodes, players will frequently encounter resources like Ferrite, Nano Spores, and Neurodes, often in great abundance. However, certain rare resources are far harder to come by and require specific farming methods or locations to acquire. These rare items become essential for crafting advanced gear and progressing through the Star Chart.

In this guide, we’ll highlight the 8 rarest resources in Warframe, detailing where to find them and why they’re so valuable. Let’s dive into the rare materials every Tenno needs to hunt down!

#8: Hexenon

Introduced with the release of the Wisp Warframe and her arsenal, Hexenon is a crucial resource for crafting her weapons and other blueprints. However, farming Hexenon comes with its challenges, as it is exclusively found on the Jupiter tileset, significantly narrowing the locations where players can obtain it.

Hexenon occasionally drops from loot containers, but its primary source is Amalgam enemies, which makes it relatively scarce. Like Oxium, Hexenon tends to drop in small quantities, making the grind for this resource particularly time-consuming. However, Jupiter’s nodes offer a unique advantage: while farming for Hexenon, players can also collect Oxium and Neural Sensors, two other valuable resources found on the same planet. This efficiency makes Jupiter a worthwhile farming spot for Tenno in need of multiple rare materials.

#7: Neural Sensors

Neural Sensors are an essential resource for crafting new Warframes and various high-level blueprints, but they are notoriously rare and limited to specific locations. Found exclusively on the Jupiter and Kuva Fortress tilesets, Neural Sensors have a low drop rate from enemies, loot containers, and resource deposits, making them a challenging material to farm.

For newer players, obtaining Neural Sensors can be especially difficult, as the required planets are not accessible early in the game. Jupiter serves as the primary farming spot for beginners, but its Gas City tileset can be overwhelming for those still mastering Warframe’s fluid parkour mechanics. The scarcity of Neural Sensors and the difficulty of navigating Jupiter’s map make this resource one of the most elusive for players starting their journey.

#6: Orokin Cells

Orokin Cells are a vital resource in Warframe, used to craft many Warframes, weapons, and Prime items. Despite their importance, they are notoriously scarce and can only be found on specific planets, such as Ceres, Saturn, and the Derelict tilesets, making them a consistent challenge to farm.

Orokin Cells have a chance to drop from enemies, loot containers, and resource deposits in these locations, but their drop rate is relatively low. Players often need to farm for extended periods to gather enough for their crafting needs. The rarity is particularly frustrating for newer players, as Orokin Cells are required for many early-game blueprints, creating a bottleneck in progression.

The best farming method involves targeting boss missions, such as the fight against General Sargas Ruk on Saturn or Captain Vor on Ceres, as these bosses have a higher chance of dropping Orokin Cells. Additionally, using resource boosters or Necros’ Desecrate ability can improve the yield. Despite the grind, Orokin Cells are an indispensable resource, and finding an efficient farming routine is key to advancing in Warframe.

#5: Argon Crystals

Argon Crystals are a unique and highly sought-after resource in Warframe, but their ephemeral nature makes them one of the trickiest materials to manage. Found exclusively in the Void tileset, Argon Crystals are required for crafting Warframes, weapons, and decorations. What sets them apart from other resources is their decay mechanic—any Argon Crystals in your inventory will disappear after 24 hours, forcing players to farm them as needed.

These crystals can be obtained from enemies, loot containers, and resource deposits in Void missions. Missions like Capture or Exterminate are particularly effective for farming, as they allow for quick and repeated runs. Bringing a Warframe like Nekros with his Desecrate ability or using a resource booster can further increase your farming efficiency.

The time-sensitive nature of Argon Crystals makes them a challenge to manage, especially for newer players or those who prefer to farm resources in advance. However, their frequent use in critical blueprints ensures they remain an important and valuable resource for all Tenno. To maximize efficiency, always plan your crafting projects before farming Argon Crystals to avoid unnecessary waste.

#4: Cryotic

Cryotic is a rare and indispensable resource in Warframe, primarily used in crafting Archwing components, weapons, and certain Warframes. Unlike most other resources, Cryotic isn’t found in loot containers or dropped by enemies. Instead, it can only be earned by completing Excavation missions, making it one of the more time-intensive resources to farm.

Excavation missions require players to defend a drill extractor as it digs for Cryotic. Each successful excavation yields 100 Cryotic, provided the drill survives until completion. While this process may seem straightforward, it becomes increasingly challenging in high-level missions where enemy waves are relentless. Additionally, Cryotic farming requires an energy source for the drills, which adds an extra layer of strategy as players must gather and deliver energy cells to keep the excavators running.

For efficient farming, focus on low-level Excavation nodes, such as Everest on Earth or Hieracon on Pluto, where enemies are manageable, and rewards are consistent. Bringing Warframes with crowd control or defensive abilities, like Frost or Limbo, can significantly improve your chances of success.

Though farming Cryotic can be a grind, its importance in crafting essential items ensures it remains a valuable resource. With the right setup and a bit of patience, you can amass enough Cryotic to meet all your crafting needs.

#3: Entrati Lanthorns

Entrati Lanthorns are among the rarest and most coveted resources in Warframe, introduced with the Duviri Paradox expansion. These luminous materials are essential for crafting certain Duviri-exclusive items, including Warframes, weapons, and cosmetics. Their scarcity and limited availability make them a challenge to farm consistently.

Entrati Lanthorns can be obtained through The Duviri Experience or The Circuit, specifically in the Duviri region. They are earned by completing tasks such as side objectives, defeating Orowyrm bosses, or opening special treasure caches found throughout Duviri’s beautifully eerie landscape. Their drop rate is low, requiring patience and dedication from players looking to gather a significant quantity.

The farming process is made more efficient by focusing on spiral objectives, as these often reward Lanthorns upon completion. Playing in groups can also increase the speed of completing tasks, making farming sessions more productive. Additionally, higher difficulty tiers in The Circuit offer better rewards, including more Entrati Lanthorns.

These radiant resources are a necessity for players aiming to unlock the best of what Duviri has to offer. While the grind can be time-consuming, the rewards—unique items and powerful upgrades—make Entrati Lanthorns a highly valuable asset in any Tenno’s collection.

#2: Tellurium

Tellurium is one of the rarest resources in Warframe, highly sought after for crafting Archwing components, Railjack gear, and various high-tier weapons. Its scarcity is further compounded by its limited availability, as it only drops in specific mission types and locations.

Tellurium can be found in Archwing missions, Empyrean (Railjack) missions, and certain tilesets like Uranus (Underwater) or the Kuva Fortress. However, its drop rate is notoriously low, making it a resource that often requires dedicated farming sessions. It can drop from enemies, resource deposits, and environmental objects like loot containers, but luck plays a significant role in how quickly you can gather it.

For efficient farming, consider running Grineer Sealab Survival or Archwing Exterminate missions, as these offer better chances for drops. Bringing a resource booster or using Warframes like Nekros (with Desecrate) or Khora (with Pilfering Strangledome) can further enhance your farming results.

Tellurium’s rarity and its critical role in crafting advanced equipment make it a resource that players must actively seek out. While the grind can be frustrating, the powerful items it unlocks ensure that Tellurium remains an invaluable resource for advancing in the game.

#1: Nitain Extract

Nitain Extract is widely regarded as one of the most elusive and essential resources in Warframe. Unlike most other materials, Nitain Extract cannot be farmed directly in missions or found in resource deposits. Instead, it is primarily obtained through limited-time Nightwave Cred Offerings or specific mission rewards, making its availability both time-sensitive and inconsistent.

Nitain Extract is a requirement for crafting a wide range of items, including Warframes, weapons, and cosmetics. Its scarcity becomes particularly challenging for new players, as the Nightwave system may not always provide an immediate opportunity to acquire it. In rare cases, Nitain Extract can also be found as a reward in Gift of the Lotus missions or Ghoul Purge bounties, but these events are not always active.

To efficiently gather Nitain Extract, keep an eye on the Nightwave offerings and prioritize purchasing it with Creds when available. It’s also a good idea to stock up whenever possible, as you’ll likely need more than you anticipate for future crafting projects.

Nitain Extract’s unique acquisition method and its necessity for numerous crafting recipes solidify its position as the rarest resource in Warframe. Planning ahead and staying vigilant during Nightwave seasons is key to ensuring you have enough of this valuable material to progress smoothly.

Conclusion

Warframe is a game that thrives on resource management and strategic farming, with some materials being much rarer and harder to obtain than others. From the time-sensitive Nitain Extract to the elusive Tellurium and Entrati Lanthorns, these rare resources are essential for crafting the game’s most powerful weapons, Warframes, and equipment. While the grind for these items can be challenging, proper planning and efficient farming methods can make the process more manageable.

Understanding where and how to obtain these resources is crucial for progressing through the game and unlocking its full potential. Whether it’s farming Cryotic in Excavation missions, battling enemies on Jupiter for Hexenon, or navigating the Void for Argon Crystals, each resource presents its own unique challenges and rewards.

By focusing on the right farming strategies and using helpful Warframes or boosters, players can streamline the grind and ensure they have what they need to conquer Warframe’s many challenges. With patience and preparation, these rare resources will no longer be roadblocks but stepping stones to building your ultimate arsenal.