Necramechs have been a part of Warframe since the Heart of Deimos update, but the question of whether it’s worth the grind to get one still lingers in the community. These hulking war machines offer immense firepower and durability, but they also come with a reputation for being tedious to farm. With updates that have streamlined some of the process and new content that requires a Necramech, the answer isn’t as simple as it used to be. Let’s break down everything you need to know to decide if now is the right time to commit to the grind.
This guide will walk you through what Necramechs are, how to get them, what’s changed over time, and whether they’re a must-have for your Arsenal.
What Are Necramechs?
Necramechs are heavily armored bipedal exoskeletons piloted by the Operator. They were introduced as part of the open-world combat on the Cambion Drift, Deimos. There are currently two main Necramech models: Voidrig and Bonewidow. Voidrig is the first accessible one, with a powerful artillery ability, while Bonewidow is a melee-focused variant with a giant sword and shield. Both can be used in open-world areas, Railjack missions, and select story quests.
Necramechs are not just reskins of your Warframe; they have their own mods, abilities, and leveling progression. They are powerful but initially slow and clunky until you invest in mods and upgrades. They also require a significant resource investment to build and customize.
The Grind: How to Obtain a Necramech
Getting a Necramech isn’t a quick affair. You’ll need to complete the Heart of Deimos quest to access the Cambion Drift and the Necralisk hub. From there, you have two primary paths to obtaining one: farming components from Isolation Vault bounties or purchasing parts from other players. The process has evolved with updates, so let’s look at both the original grind and what’s available now.
The Old Way (Original Grind)
Initially, acquiring a Necramech required running tiered Isolation Vault bounties. Each bounty would unlock deeper vaults, and you’d need to defeat enemy Necramechs to obtain damaged parts. The drop rates were low, and you needed multiple parts: casing, engine, capsule, and weapon pods, plus a blueprint from standing with the Necraloid syndicate. Each damaged part then had to be repaired using a mix of rare resources from Deimos, like Scintillant and Thaumic Distillate. This meant hours of grinding bounties, often with poor luck, and a steep resource cost. Many players considered it one of the most frustrating farms in the game.
Current Methods (Including Changes)
Digital Extremes has made the grind more forgiving over time. Isolation Vault bounties still exist, but drop rates for damaged parts have been increased, and you’re guaranteed at least one part per run on higher tiers. Additionally, the Necraloid syndicate now sells fully built Voidrig component blueprints for standing after you’ve reached a certain rank, completely bypassing the damaged part RNG. You can also trade for Necramech parts with other players, and prices have dropped significantly since launch. Another major change: The New War quest now provides a pre-built Voidrig as a reward if you don’t already own one, though you’ll need to complete the quest to get it, which requires a bit of a grind to access.
You can also purchase a fully assembled Necramech from the Market for platinum, which is the quickest option if you’d rather skip the grind entirely. This is the “pay to skip” route, and for many, it’s worth considering if time is more valuable than platinum.
Why You Might Want a Necramech Now
Necramechs aren’t just for show; they unlock new gameplay opportunities. Here’s where they shine.
Usage in Open Worlds
In open-world areas like the Plains of Eidolon, Orb Vallis, and Cambion Drift, you can summon your Necramech via a consumable gear item. They are fantastic for taking down tough enemies, bounties, and Thumpers. Their firepower makes short work of high-level content, and they can be a fun alternative to your regular Warframe loadout. If you enjoy open-world activities, having a Necramech can speed up farming and add variety.
Railjack Integration
With the Corpus Railjack and later updates, you can now deploy your Necramech in Railjack missions. This is especially useful during volatile missions or when boarding enemy crewships. Necramechs can clear rooms quickly and provide a durable front line when your Railjack crew is under pressure. While not mandatory, they make higher-level Railjack content significantly easier.
The New War Requirement
The biggest reason to get a Necramech is the story quest The New War. You must have a Necramech to start the quest. If you don’t have one, you’ll be gifted a temporary Voidrig during the quest, but after completing it, you don’t get to keep it. To progress beyond The New War’s midpoint, you need your own Necramech. For players invested in the story, this is a hard requirement. However, note that the quest itself grants a free Voidrig if you don’t have one, so you can technically delay the grind until after, but you’ll still want one for future content.
Has the Grind Become Easier?
Absolutely. Compared to launch, the Necramech farm is far more accessible. Increased drop rates, guaranteed parts, the ability to purchase blueprints directly from the Necraloid, and the free one from The New War all lower the barrier. The resource costs are still notable but not as steep if you’ve been playing on Deimos regularly. Scintillant, in particular, is easier to obtain now than it was in 2020. The main bottleneck remains time: you’ll still need to invest several hours into Isolation Vaults or standing farm to get the parts, but it’s no longer the nightmare it once was.
Is It Worth It? Pros and Cons
Deciding whether to grind for a Necramech depends on your playstyle and current progression. Here’s a quick breakdown.
Pros:
- Unlocks The New War and future story content: A must if you care about the narrative.
- Powerful in open worlds and Railjack: Makes high-level bounties and missions much easier.
- Variety: A fun alternative to regular gameplay, with unique mods and builds.
- Easier grind than ever: With all the improvements, it’s more a matter of time than luck.
- Tradeable parts: You can buy them from other players if you have spare platinum, often for cheap.
Cons:
- Still grindy: Even with improvements, it requires a dedicated multi-hour investment.
- Niche use: Outside of specific content, Necramechs are not always usable, and their mobility can feel clunky.
- Mod grind: You’ll need Necramech mods from enemy Necramechs or higher-level bounties to make them truly effective, adding another layer of farming.
- Forma and leveling: Like any gear, you’ll need to level and forma them for optimal performance, which can be slow.
If you’re a story-focused player or someone who loves maximizing their power in open worlds, it’s definitely worth it. If you’re a casual player who sticks to star chart missions and doesn’t care about The New War, you can safely skip it. However, given that a free Voidrig is basically handed to you during The New War, you can always wait until then to decide if you like it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Necramech to complete The New War?
Yes, you must own a Necramech to start The New War. However, if you don’t have one, the quest will provide a temporary one, but you will need to craft or acquire your own to finish the quest and keep it for later.
Can I buy a Necramech with platinum?
Yes, you can purchase fully built Necramechs from the Market for platinum. This bypasses the entire grind, but it’s a significant amount of platinum. Alternatively, you can trade for individual components from other players.
Which Necramech is better: Voidrig or Bonewidow?
Voidrig is generally considered more versatile due to its Arquebex exalted weapon, which deals massive damage in a large area. Bonewidow is melee-focused and has better survivability with its shield, but it’s more niche. For most content, Voidrig is the preferred choice.
How long does it take to farm a Necramech?
With current drop rates and the ability to buy blueprints from the Necraloid, you can expect to spend around 5-10 hours of focused grinding, depending on your luck and existing resources. The resource gathering for repairs adds a few more hours. It’s significantly faster than at launch.
Do Necramechs use affinity from my Warframe?
No, Necramechs gain affinity separately, and they have their own leveling table. You’ll need to level them up in missions where they are available, such as open-world or Railjack missions.
Can I use Necramechs in regular missions?
Currently, Necramechs can only be used in open-world areas, Railjack missions, and specific quests. They are not available in standard tileset missions.
Ultimately, the Necramech grind has never been more forgiving, and with its relevance in current content, now is an excellent time to get one if you haven’t already.
