Warframe Tier List 2026 (Update 41): Which Frames Are Actually Worth Playing?

Not all Warframes are born equal. Anyone who has spent enough time in Steel Path already knows this. Some frames make hard content feel casual, while others need twice the effort for half the result.

A clearer meta has finally fixed into Warframe 2026 with the coming of Update 41. Revamps, new designs, and system changes have gradually redefined which Warframes feel strong and which ones feel, respectfully, out of date.

This tier list is not about theorycrafting in a vacuum. It’s about how these frames actually perform in real missions.

Loot Tier: Farming Without Thinking Too Hard

If you’re running endless missions, searching for relics, or just focusing on gaining resources, these frames still run the show.

Nekros remains the no-brainer pick. Desecrate might not have the highest loot chance per enemy, but the range is ridiculously big, there’s no enemy cap, and it works everywhere. Add Shield of Shadows, and suddenly he’s not even “soft” anymore.

Khora lost a big chunk of her damage ceiling after the Pseudo-Exalted changes. That said, she’s much easier to use now without investing in ridiculous stat-stick builds. Even when her damage isn’t impressive, her ability to generate loot keeps her relevant.

Hydroid is the comeback story nobody expected. After his rework, Pilfering Swarm turned him into a surprisingly comfortable farming frame. Set up camp, hold position, and let the resources pile up.

S-Tier: Frames That Make the Game Easier

These are the Warframes that define the 2026 meta. They scale well, survive effortlessly, and don’t ask you to fight the UI more than the enemies.

Dante is still absurd. Overguard generation alone would be enough, but he also brings damage, support, and flexibility. Even after nerfs, he feels complete in a way very few frames do.

Protea might be the best all-rounder in the game right now. Shield Satellites keep the squad alive, Blaze Artillery clears rooms instantly, and her kit just works without constant babysitting.

Saryn refuses to leave the top. Spores still scale better than almost anything else, and her augment turns her into one of the strongest gun buffers in the game. Twelve years of relevance is not an accident.

Wisp stays popular for one simple reason: she’s easy and effective. Drop motes, buff everyone, heal passively, and move on. You can get fancy with Breach Surge, but you don’t have to.

Revenant continues to trivialize content. Enemy damage scaling, Eximus units, boss mechanics—Mesmer Skin simply doesn’t care. If you want a stress-free solo endgame, he’s still the safest choice.

Volt still could be your option. Shields, nukes, speed buffs, and now even better arcane synergy. He’s versatile enough to fit into almost any quest without feeling outdated.

Nokko, who has strong self-sustain, crowd control, massive damage, and near-immortality if you play him correctly, surprised many people. He earns his S-tier slot without any scheme.

A-Tier: Extremely Strong, With Small Caveats

A-tier frames are powerful but usually require more effort, setup, or specific playstyles.

Frames like Gauss, Mesa, Octavia, Citrine, Kullervo, and Zephyr all perform exceptionally well, especially in the right hands. The difference between A-tier and S-tier here is mostly about consistency and ease, not raw power.

You can absolutely dominate content with these frames. You just need to engage with their kits more actively.

B-Tier: Playable, But Overshadowed

B-tier doesn’t mean bad. It just means these frames are no longer the obvious choice.

Ash is better than he used to be but still a bit clunky.
Baruuk hits harder now, yet feels locked into a specific rhythm.
Ivara and Inaros work fine but rarely feel optimal in modern squads.

They function. They just don’t shine.

C-Tier: Niche or Power-Crept

These frames struggle to justify themselves unless you’re playing for a specific reason.

Chroma is still married to Profit-Taker.
Limbo is less painful than before but still situational.
Nidus demands too much setup for what he gives back in 2026.

They’re not unusable. They’re just tired.

Our Final Thoughts for Gamers

The current Warframe meta clearly favors frames that:

• scale well into high-level content
• survive without constant micromanagement
• don’t rely on outdated gimmicks
  

That doesn’t mean you should overlook your favorites. A fully skilled player on an A-tier frame will always beat a lazy noob S-tier pick.

But if you have a question about what actually feels good to play right now in your head, this tier list should save you a lot of time.