Last Updated on October 15, 2022
Warframe has been around for several years, and it boasts a robust economy. For new players, trading in-game and on the Warframe Market can seem somewhat intimidating. Not only do you have to interact with players you don’t know, but you’ll also have a lot to learn, including which items to trade, their prices, and how to get started.
So, let’s say you’ve reached Mastery Rank 2 and are looking to foray into the Warframe trading hubs. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Where can you trade?
Warframe has several areas where you can trade with your fellow tenno.
Maroo’s Bazaar is the first trading hub you can access, and it’s on Mars. However, transactions done here have a 10% credit tax rate. Meanwhile, if you’ve managed to join a clan, you can head to a trading post in your clan’s dojo, where the tax rate can be set to 0-100% of baseline game tax. Note that this can be altered anytime by clan members who have treasurer privileges, and clans usually don’t impose a Warframe trade tax.
Trading jargon
When you access the trade section on chat, you’ll notice other players throwing out unfamiliar terminologies. Today, you’ll mostly see the following:
- WTB – Want to Buy – this is for players looking for a specific item
- WTS – Want to Sell – players use this to sell something
- WTT – Want to Trade – for tenno hoping to trade their merchandise
- PC – Price Check
- PM – Private Message
- PMO – Private Message Your Offer
- Neg – Negotiable
- WTS X:Yp – Willing to sell “x” item for this “y” amount of platinum.
Items you can and can’t trade
Trading works when two tenno exchange parts for another item or platinum, the game’s premium currency. However, the things you can trade is limited to the following:
- Platinum. You can only trade those you’ve purchased or received from other players. Your starting 50, and those you’ve won in contests and promotions are ineligible.
- Mods. These include rivens and legendary cores.
- Prime weapon parts
- Prime Warframe parts
- Keys (except clan keys) and relics. You can trade relics of any rarity.
- Archwing weapon parts
- Arcanes
- Unused Baro’Kiteer and Syndicates weapons
- Event and Special weapon parts
- Landing craft blueprints
- Ayatan Statues and Stars
- Antitoxin
- Focus Lenses. Greater Focus Lenses and Eidolon Lenses aren’t tradeable.
Meanwhile, some of the items you can’t trade are:
- Platinum when exchanged for platinum.
- Fully-crafted weapons and parts.
- Special weapons with affinity or Orokin catalysts installed.
- Dex Weapons
- Resources/materials like endo, credits, rubedo
- Forma
Prior to trading
Let’s say you’ve laid out which items to trade, and you’re ready to step into a trading hub. You’re one step closer to making handshakes, but before you do, here are a few things to take note of:
Know what you’re trading for in the first place
Primarily, players trade their valuables to earn platinum. In turn, you can use this currency to purchase various items, from premium weapons to skins, in the in-game shop. Moreover, you can also use it to buy items directly from other players.
Do a price check on Warframe.market
Before you start buying and selling, you need to know how much an item is worth. You can quickly get this done by visiting Warframe Market. Simply type the name of the item you’re searching for, and you’ll immediately see the prices, data, the seller’s name, and whether he/she is online or otherwise. Moreover, it’s a great idea to make an account on the website if you plan to be a part-time entrepreneur in the game.
Make your trades count
Your Mastery Rank determines how many trades, with six items each, you can perform in a single day. For example, when you’re at MR5, you can only make five trades. Be sure to make full use of the quota, trade what you can before the daily restart, and if you can, prioritize the items you need.
Be sure you have enough credits for the trade tax
At least have 50-100k credits on your inventory before selling, especially if you’re in the bazaar. Having more is better, especially if you’re selling higher-tier items. In any case, it would be a better idea to join a clan with zero dojo trade tax.
Attain full mastery of the in-game chat
Learn how to use the /w feature and memorize the above mentioned lingo.
What should you trade to guarantee a sale?
In your first few dozen hours, the goal is to get as much platinum as you can, so you’ll be able to play around the market and buy the items you need. With this in mind, you’ll have to grind for various merchandise via in-game quests and special events. Some of the item types you’d want to trade are:
- Prime parts, called “prime junk” by the player-base. They are best sold when trader Baro Ki’teer is just around the corner.
- Primed mods
- Augment mods, particularly those by the syndicate
- Corrupted mods
- Ayatan sculptures
- Simaris offerings
- Veiled rivens
- Refined gems
- High-tier fishes
Other items include newly-released prime parts and sets, rare mods, and arcanes.
Trade etiquette
Trading is one of the most enjoyable aspects of Warframe, but of course, some may ruin it with lousy etiquette and toxic behavior. To make the experience better for everyone, here are a few tips:
Communication, credits, and clarity
- When you’re about to sell, be in your clan’s dojo or on the bazaar immediately. Don’t let your transaction partner wait. If you’re on a mission, be sure to notify them that you’re in one while giving them an acceptable time frame.
- Please be patient when waiting for your partner. Loading times vary and at least give a 20-30 second grace period before sending a PM.
- Never spam.
- When contacting another player, immediately state what you’re buying/selling. Don’t just say hello and wait for a response, considering that they may be juggling dozens of other messages.
- Don’t be that guy who doesn’t have enough credits for the trade tax. Just don’t.
- Finalize the terms and pay upfront. Leave a tip, but never dish out platinum under the desired amount.
- When using WTT, clearly state what you’re trading and what you want for it.
- When trading with a group, always wait for your turn, unless he’s taking too much time. Some traders may already be in a window with others.
Haggling
- When you can’t agree on a price, politely thank them for their time and move on. Don’t take it personally. Not only is it proper to be kind, but they may also come back to you if they change their mind.
- Usually, prices on Warframe Market are final, and there could be no room for haggling unless you’re buying in bulk. In this case, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask for a discount.
- When suggesting a price, never lowball. Some players may not kindly have someone recommend buying an item worth 100 plat for 30 plat.
- Put a price tag on your wares. It’s best to put it slightly higher than average to give you wiggle room when in the negotiations.
- In case you feel offended when someone lowballs you, consider that they might just not know the price. When this happens, make a counter-offer and see where it goes.
So, are you ready to trade?
Overall, Warframe trading is one of the brightest aspects of the game, thanks to the many tools available online, like Warframe Market, and its vibrant community. Don’t be let down if you’re finding it hard to earn platinum to get all those goodies: just grind resources, and one day, you’ll be swimming in it.
Do you have your Warframe trade tips to share? Be sure to let us know down in the comments!
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