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Best Starter Warframe in 2026: Excalibur, Mag or Volt, and What to Get Next
Pick Excalibur if unsure, then Rhino, Nezha, Gara, Frost
Last Updated on September 11, 2026
The short answer
Pick Excalibur if you are unsure: Exalted Blade carries the whole star chart with zero build knowledge. Volt is the all-rounder, Mag has the highest ceiling once you learn her. It is close, and the other two are free from the Clan Dojo later. What matters more is the next frame: Rhino from Venus, then Nezha and Gara.
Reviewed September 10, 2026, current through Update 43.5. Iceblade of Narin lands September 23 and is not reflected yet; this page is re-checked after every major patch.
| Starter | Pick it if | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Excalibur | You want the simplest kit; Exalted Blade and Radial Blind do everything | Lowest ceiling of the three; burns energy fast |
| Volt | You want speed, a damage shield and a room-clearing 4 | Squishier; Electric Shield needs positioning |
| Mag | You like a learning curve and the biggest payoff later | Weak against armor early; needs range and strength mods |
Where the starters come from later
| Requirement | Why |
|---|---|
| Clan Dojo, Tenno Lab | Volt and Mag (and Nezha) are research blueprints; join any clan on day one and the two you skipped are free. |
| The Circuit (Duviri) | Every frame below also rotates through the weekly Circuit track, the no-RNG backup path once you finish The Duviri Paradox. |
The frame mods to slot first
The Vor's Prize tutorial and The Teacher quest hand out the basics. Rank Vitality and the ability mods before buying anything.
12
Vitality
Vitality
+100% Health
WARFRAME
12
Redirection
Redirection
+100% Shield Capacity
WARFRAME
11
Intensify
Intensify
+30% Ability Strength
WARFRAME
7
Continuity
Continuity
+30% Ability Duration
WARFRAME
9
Streamline
Streamline
+30% Ability Efficiency
WARFRAME
9
Stretch
Stretch
+45% Ability Range
WARFRAME
9
Flow
Flow
+100% Energy Max
WARFRAME
14
Steel Fiber
Steel Fiber
+100% Armor
WARFRAME| Mod | Where |
|---|---|
| Vitality, Redirection, Stretch | Handed out during Vor's Prize; Vitality again from The Teacher |
| Intensify | Phobos Junction reward |
| Streamline | Mars Junction reward |
| Continuity, Flow, Steel Fiber | Cephalon Simaris sells them for standing; Flow also drops from Survival |
The first frames to get, in order
Rhino1: Venus
Nezha2: Dojo
Gara3: Cetus
Frost4: Ceres
Valkyr5: Jupiter
Ember6: Saturn
Trinity7: Pluto
Nidus8: quest
Mesa9: Eris| Frame | Role | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Rhino | 1: Venus | Iron Skin makes a beginner unkillable with almost no mods. Parts from the Jackal on Fossa, Venus; blueprint from the Market. |
| Nezha | 2: Dojo | Warding Halo tanks, Fire Walker moves. Tenno Lab research; no boss, no RNG. |
| Gara | 3: Cetus | Saya's Vigil gives the blueprint; parts from Plains bounties. Mass Vitrify is an early wall nobody gets past. |
| Frost | 4: Ceres | Snow Globe carries every Defense and Interception. Parts from Vor and Kril on Exta, Ceres. |
| Valkyr | 5: Jupiter | Hysteria is a second immortal tank. Parts from Alad V on Themisto, Jupiter. |
| Ember | 6: Saturn | Cheap fire nuke for low-level trash. Parts from Sargas Ruk on Tethys, Saturn. |
| Trinity | 7: Pluto | The support you will use forever. Parts from Ambulas on Hades, Pluto (Animo Nav Beacons). |
| Nidus | 8: quest | The Glast Gambit after The War Within. Stacks make him one of the strongest frames in the game. |
| Mesa | 9: Eris | Peacemaker carries into Steel Path. Parts from Mutalist Alad V on Eris after Patient Zero. |
Tips that save runs
- Join a clan on day one, even a one-person clan. Dojo research is the cheapest frame source in the game.
- Do every Junction the moment it lights up; they hand out mods, weapons and the next planet.
- Rank a weapon damage mod (Serration, Hornet Strike) before chasing more frame mods; a maxed Serration does more than a new frame.
- The Second Dream around MR 3 to 5 is the biggest power spike in the game (Operator, Void Mode) and gates Nidus later.
- Keep relics and Prime parts; they trade for platinum later.
- Do not spend Forma or Reactors on starter gear you will replace within a week.
Mistakes that waste runs
- Maxing mods with Endo on a frame you will drop in a week.
- Skipping Junctions and side quests to rush the story, missing free frames and mods.
- Expecting Nidus or Mesa in the first hours; both sit behind mid-game quests.
- Selling the starter frame to make room; buy a slot instead.
Related
- Best beginner weapons: MR 0 to 8
- New player checklist
- Progression map: what unlocks what
- Every Warframe: abilities, stats, how to get
- Best weapons for 2026
- Warframe tier list 2026
- Weekly checklist: every reset worth doing
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