In the ever-expanding universe of Warframe, a game known for its tortuous mechanics, captivating lore, and sophisticated gameplay, the Railjack missions represent a significant chapter in the Tenno’s journey. These missions are not just another addition to the game but a whole new dimension of cooperative gameplay, bringing space combat to the forefront and challenging players to take their skills to the stars. This guide dives abysmal into the intricacies of Railjack missions, offering insights and strategies to help both neophytes and seasoned seasoned chart this stellar venture.
Building Your Railjack
Before embarking on any Railjack missions, the foundational step is to construct your very own Railjack—a formidable spacecraft capable of high-velocity interstellar travel and intense cosmic skirmishes. To kickstart this venture, you’ll need to complete the ‘Rising Tide’ quest, acquired from your Codex. This quest is not just a series of objectives but a rite of passage, ushering you into the domain of space warfare.
Components and Resources
Dry Dock: The first prerequisite is the Dry Dock, an infrastructure within your Clan Dojo dedicated to the crafting and maintenance of Railjacks. If your clan hasn’t constructed one yet, consider this an opportunity to contribute to your clan’s advancement or seek a clan that has.
Railjack Parts: The Railjack is composed of several critical components, including the Fuselage, Propulsion Systems, and Reactor. Each part requires specific resources, some of which are unique to the Railjack missions like ‘Pustrels’ and ‘Copernics’. Engage in mining activities on planets like Cetus (Earth) or Orb Vallis (Venus) to gather these materials.
Cephalon Cy: Integral to your Railjack, Cephalon Cy serves as the AI navigator and guide. Acquiring his blueprint and constructing him is part of the ‘Rising Tide’ questline, bridging your transition into the realm of Railjack missions.
Building your Railjack is a labor of devotion, requiring significant resource investments and time. Yet, the payoff is monumental, propelling you into cosmic battles and adventures anew.
Understanding Intrinsics
Intrinsics are a measure of your proficiency in specific areas of Railjack operations. These are distinct from your traditional Warframe abilities, focusing instead on Railjack piloting, combat, engineering, and tactical prowess. There are five Intrinsics categories, each unlocking unique abilities and enhancements:
- Piloting: Maneuverability and speed. Perfect for those who aim to chart the treacherous expanse of space with finesse.
- Gunnery: Proficiency with Railjack weaponry. A must-have for those who seek to rain destruction upon their foes.
- Tactical: Mastery over the Railjack’s tactical systems, such as deploying Warframes onto enemy ships or instantaneously shifting across battlefields.
- Engineering: Ability to repair and maintain the Railjack mid-combat. Indispensable for lengthy engagements and keeping your vessel afloat.
- Command: Allows for the recruitment and management of NPC crew members, introduced in the Call of the Tempestarii update. This Intrinsic breathes life into your Railjack, letting you assign roles and customize your crew’s skills to your liking.
Leveling up Intrinsics requires Intrinsics Points, earned through completing Railjack missions. Choose your focus wisely, as your initial selection can define your role within a crew or your approach to solo play.
Railjack Missions Explained
Railjack missions are set in the vastness of space, offering a variety of objectives that range from direct skirmishes with enemy ships to strategic defense operations. Understanding the structure and objectives of these missions is crucial for any Tenno looking to excel.
Skirmish
Skirmish missions are your bread and butter, pitting you and your crew against waves of enemy fighters and capital ships. Coordination is key; pilots direct through asteroid fields and enemy formations, gunners unleash hell upon hostile vessels, while engineers scurry to patch up hull breaches and keep the engines running. Completing these missions often requires boarding enemy capital ships to destroy them from within, offering a seamless blend of space and ground combat.
Defense
Defense missions task you with protecting a critical asset from incessant waves of enemy attacks. Unlike traditional Defense missions in Warframe, here, you’ll be maneuvering your Railjack to intercept foes, employing your ship’s arsenal, and even disembarking to engage enemies board-to-board. Adaptability and swift tactical decisions are paramount to safeguard your charge.
Orphix
Orphix missions introduce an entirely different flavor to Railjack, focusing on combating Sentient threats that are impervious to your Railjack’s conventional weapons. Players must deploy onto Sentient vessels or structures, utilizing their Warframes and Operator forms to disrupt and destroy the Orphix cores. These missions test your mastery over Warframe’s unique combat system, blending Railjack and on-foot gameplay elements.
Advanced Railjack Tactics
Mastering Railjack missions goes beyond understanding objectives; it’s about honing your strategies, optimizing your Railjack’s loadout, and playing to your crew’s strengths.
Optimizing Loadouts: Your Railjack’s performance heavily relies on its components and armaments. Experiment with different Avionics setups, reactors, engines, and shields to find the perfect balance between firepower, speed, and durability that suits your playstyle.
Crew Composition: A well-rounded crew can tackle any test that comes their way. Balance your team with a mix of Pilots, Gunners, Engineers, and Tactical specialists. Utilizing the Command Intrinsic to recruit and train NPC crew members adds another layer of scheme, allowing for a more flexible approach to missions.
Synergy with Warframes: Your choice of Warframe significantly impacts your effectiveness in Railjack missions. Frames like Amesha can provide invaluable support, mitigating damage and bolstering your defenses, while others like Nova offer strategic advantages through her teleportation abilities.
Communication and Coordination: Perhaps the most critical tactic is effective communication. Coordinating maneuvers, targeting priority threats, and managing resources are all facilitated by clear, concise communication. Whether you’re piloting with friends or matchmaking with random players, keeping the lines of communication open is key to your success.
Railjack missions embody Warframe’s commitment to evolving its universe, introducing players to a blend of space combat and the traditional parkour-laden skirmishes the game is known for. This guide serves as your navigational chart through the cosmos of Railjack endeavors, laying the groundwork for your ascent to cosmic dominance. Embrace the defy, Tenno, and may the stars guide your journey.