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Steel Essence Farming in Warframe (2026): Daily Incursions and Acolytes
Six Incursions a day, plus 2 from every Acolyte you kill
Last Updated on September 30, 2026
The short answer
Steel Essence only drops on the Steel Path. The steady base is the six daily Incursions, 5 each for 30 a day, plus every Acolyte you kill in a Steel Path mission, 2 each. Run endless missions with Khora so Acolytes stay pinned when they arrive.
Reviewed September 29, 2026, current through Update 44 (Iceblade of Narin); node and mission types checked against the live star chart. This page is re-checked after every major patch.
| Where | Mission | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Incursions (Star Chart alerts) | Six Steel Path alerts | 5 Steel Essence each, 30 a day, and they unlock the node |
| Any Steel Path mission | Endless modes like Survival and Defense | Acolytes spawn off your kills and drop 2 each |
| The Circuit (Duviri) | Tier 9 on Steel Path | Pays 25 Steel Essence |
| The Descendia | Steel Path reward | Pays 25 Steel Essence |
| Steel Path Void Fissures | Any fissure with your own relic | 1 Steel Essence per relic opened |
| Star Chart planets | Clear every node on a planet | 25 Steel Essence per planet, once |
Table of Contents
The fast route
- Switch the Star Chart to Steel Path mode. Incursions only show in the alerts panel in that mode.
- Run the six Incursions first. They unlock the node even if you have not reached it.
- In each mission, keep killing. Acolytes spawn from your kills.
- Pin the Acolyte with Ensnare or Condemn, then kill it. If it downs you, it escapes and drops nothing.
- Grab the Steel Essence fast. It despawns within 5 minutes, and often sooner.
- Spend it at Teshin in any Relay.
Best farming frames
| Frame | Role | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Khora | Acolyte pinner | Ensnare can completely immobilize an Acolyte. |
| Harrow | Acolyte pinner | Condemn can completely immobilize an Acolyte. |
| Xaku | Shield stripper | The Lost strips enemy defenses, so tanky Steel Path units die faster. |
Tips that save runs
- A Resource Booster or a retriever mod can double the Steel Essence an Acolyte drops.
- Incursions can be run before you unlock the node. Clearing one unlocks it.
- Acolytes do not spawn in Archwing, Assassination, Ascension, Duviri or Empyrean missions.
Mistakes that waste runs
- Skipping the Incursions. They are 30 Steel Essence a day for short missions.
- Running Assassination or Archwing missions for Acolytes. None spawn there.
- Fighting an Acolyte unprepared. If it downs you, it escapes and you get nothing.
What it builds
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Weekly rotating offer | One of eight offers each week: Umbra Forma Blueprint (150), Riven Mods (75), 3 Forma (75), 30,000 Endo (150), 50,000 Kuva (55) |
| Relic Pack | 3 relics for 15 Steel Essence |
| Primary and Secondary Arcane Adapter | 15 Steel Essence each |
| Veiled Riven Cipher | 20 Steel Essence |
| 10,000 Kuva | 15 Steel Essence |