Atlas, the boulder-wielding colossus of Warframe, stands as a unique testament to the game’s groundbreaking approach to character design and playstyle versatility. Dubbed the “Titan of Stone”, this Warframe brings a mix of brute force, strategic defense, and an earth-shaking presence to any squad. In this guide, we will dissect the fundamental aspects of Atlas, from his appropriation and stats to the power mods that elevate his gameplay, and finally, share a comprehensive review of this geological powerhouse.
Stats
Atlas is a formidable force, designed to withstand and deal out significant damage. His stats are a testament to his role as a front-line brawler and a bulwark against enemy assaults.
- Health: Starting with a solid base health, Atlas is more resilient than many of his counterparts from the onset. His health scales impressively with advancements, ensuring he remains a stalwart defender against all manners of hostile engagements.
- Armor: Boasting one of the highest armor ratings in the game, Atlas is nearly impregnable. This incredible defense capability renders him less susceptible to physical harm, elevating his status as a supreme tank.
- Shields: Unlike his health and armor, shields aren’t Atlas’s strong suit. This shortfall is more than compensated for by his substantial armor and health pool, emphasizing a reliance on physical resilience over energy-based defenses.
- Energy: Starting with a moderate energy pool, Atlas can effectively utilize his abilities but needs careful energy management or support from squadmates to maximize his potential in prolonged engagements.
Atlas’s stats are indicative of his role on the battlefield — an unyielding force capable of both dealing substantial damage and absorbing it in turn.
Possession
Embarking on the quest to add Atlas to your arsenal is not for the faint-hearted, requiring both preparation and perseverance. The key to unlocking Atlas lies within the “Jordas Precept” quest, which serves as the gateway to challenging the formidable Jordas Golem in an epic confrontation.
- Unlocking the Quest: The Jordas Precept quest becomes available after reaching Mastery Rank 5 and completing the “Eris” Junction. Players must then head to their Codex aboard the Orbiter to initiate the questline.
- Jordas Golem Assassination: Upon charting the intricacies of the quest, players will find themselves face-to-face with the Jordas Golem in an Archwing mission. Defeating this colossal adversary yields Atlas’s component blueprints — Chassis, Systems, and Neuroptics.
- Crafting Atlas: With blueprints in hand, Tenno can begin the crafting process in the Foundry. Each component demands a collection of resources found across the star chart, necessitating resource farming and potentially trading with fellow players to expedite the process.
- Building Time: Each component has a 12-hour construction period, which can be rushed with Platinum, Warframe’s in-game currency. Once all components are ready, they can be combined to craft Atlas, which takes an additional 72 hours.
The path to attaining Atlas is both a test of combat prowess and determination, culminating in the rewarding purchase of one of the game’s most imposing Warframes.
Power Mods
To harness the full potential of Atlas, equipping the right mods is essential. The following are indispensable mods that elevate his capabilities.
Core Mods
- Steel Fiber: Enhancing his already formidable armor, Steel Fiber is a must-have for any Atlas build, amplifying his tanking ability.
- Vitality: To leverage Atlas’s impressive health pool, Vitality increases his survivability, ensuring he can withstand the most punishing of engagements.
- Rage/Hunter Adrenaline: Given Atlas’s predisposition to absorbing damage, these mods provide a steady stream of energy by converting a percentage of health damage taken into energy.
Ability-Enhancing Mods
- Petrify Efficiency: Mods that reduce the energy cost of abilities, such as Streamline, are crucial for sustaining Atlas’s ability use, particularly Petrify, which can immobilize enemies and fortify his summoned stone minions.
- Rubble Heap Duration: Continuity and its Primed version extend the duration of Atlas’s passive ability, enabling him to maintain a higher rubble count for longer periods, which is pivotal for health regeneration and damage boost.
Specialized Mods
- Rubble Heap: A unique Atlas mod that increases the effectiveness of his passive, transforming rubble into a more potent source of health and armor.
- Path of Statues: Augmenting his first ability, Landslide, Path of Statues leaves a trail of petrification, enhancing crowd control and area denial.
Leveraging these mods on Atlas transforms him from a mere tank into a versatile juggernaut, capable of crowd control, area denial, and significant damage output, all while maintaining an impenetrable defense.
Polarity
Crafting the perfect build for Atlas involves not just selecting the right mods but also managing polarities to refine mod capacity. Atlas comes with a predefined set of polarities that cater to his defensive and ability-centric gameplay, including:
- V (Madurai): Predominantly for offensive and power strength mods, enhancing Atlas’s damage-dealing capabilities.
- D (Vazarin): Tailored for defensive mods like Vitality and Steel Fiber, reinforcing his tank role.
- Dash (Naramon): Generally reserved for utility mods, including energy efficiency and mobility enhancements.
For those looking to customize Atlas further, using Forma allows the addition or alteration of polarities, enabling more complex and tailored mod configurations. Strategic polarization ensures Atlas can reach his peak performance, whether focusing on unbreakable defense, devastating ability usage, or a balanced approach to warfare.
Review
Atlas stands as a monument to the diversity and richness of gameplay styles Warframe offers. His unique blend of indomitable defense and seismic power makes him an exhilarating Warframe to pilot, particularly for players who revel in the thick of battle.
Strengths
- Unmatched Tanking Ability: Atlas’s combination of high health, exceptional armor, and passive rubble collection makes him nearly invulnerable, especially in the hands of a skilled player.
- Versatile Abilities: From petrifying enemies to summoning stone minions and unleashing ground-shattering punches, Atlas’s abilities offer a mix of crowd control, support, and raw power.
- Solo Play Excellence: Atlas excels in solo missions, capable of standing his ground without the need for extensive squad support.
Weaknesses
- Energy Management: To fully exploit Atlas’s abilities, proactive energy management is crucial. Without mods like Rage or Hunter Adrenaline, he can quickly find himself energy-starved in prolonged encounters.
- Mobility: While his bulk serves him well in combat, it can make piloting faster-paced missions or evading high-damage area attacks more challenging.
Final Thoughts
Atlas embodies the essence of what makes Warframe such a dynamic and engaging experience — the freedom to tackle challenges in unique and varied ways. Through strategic mod configurations, mastery of his abilities, and smart play, Atlas can dominate the battlefield, making him a formidable ally or an unstoppable force when piloting solo.
Whether you’re crashing through enemy ranks with Landslide, turning foes to stone with Petrify, or summoning an army of stone Golems, Atlas offers a gameplay experience that’s as solid as the rock he’s themed after. For those willing to embark on the journey to acquire and master him, the Titan of Stone stands ready to shake the foundations of Warframe’s universe.