The New War is arguably Warframe’s most ambitious cinematic quest, a multi-hour epic that transforms the Origin System and forces you to make a pivotal choice at its climax. After everything you have been through, you are asked to decide the fate of the Lotus, the enigmatic figure who has guided you since the start. But before you even reach that moment, there is another fear lurking in many players’ minds: can the quest itself break your account? Reports of softlocks, where you are trapped with no way to progress, have circulated since launch. This guide will walk you through both concerns, explaining exactly what the Natah choice means and how to ensure your journey through the New War never becomes a dead end.
The Final Choice: Natah, Lotus, or Margulis
At the end of The New War, after defeating Ballas, you are presented with three options for who the Lotus should become. This is not just a cosmetic decision; it shapes her personality, dialogue, and even the name she uses in future content. Understanding each outcome helps you decide whether picking Natah was the right call.
What Happens If You Choose Natah?
Choosing Natah means embracing her original Sentient identity. The Lotus sheds her human-like guise and appears in her true, more mechanical form, with sharp angular features and a voice that carries echoes of her Sentient heritage. In missions, she will speak with a colder, more analytical tone, often reminding you that she is not your mother but a warrior. Many players find this version emotionally distant, but it aligns with the lore of a being who was a Mimic spy before becoming the Lotus. If you chose Natah and are now questioning it, know that the choice does not lock you out of anything critical. Her abilities as a mission guide remain identical; only the narrative flavor changes.
The Lotus and Margulis Alternatives
Selecting the Lotus restores her classic appearance and gentle, guiding personality, making her a comforting presence, though with a slightly altered design that reflects her growth. She will call you “Tenno” with warmth, and her dialogue often references hope and harmony. The third option, Margulis, is arguably the most complex. She takes on the persona of the original Margulis, the Orokin researcher who loved the Tenno. Her appearance is human-like but with a motherly, serene look, and she speaks softly, often calling you “my child.” Some players find this unsettling because it feels like she is pretending to be someone else, but it is a powerful narrative beat for those invested in the Zariman backstory.
Can You Change Your Decision Later?
If you regret picking Natah, or any other choice, you can change it, but not immediately and not without cost. After completing The New War, you can revisit the Lotus’s appearance and name by spending Platinum in the Orbiter’s Personal Quarters. The option is found under “Customize Lotus”. Each change requires Platinum, so it is not free, but it is available. This means your New War ending is not permanent. You can role-play one way for a while, then switch. For players who worry that they have damaged their account by picking Natah, rest easy: the choice is reversible, and no content is locked away.
Can The New War Softlock Your Account?
A softlock occurs when you become unable to progress due to bugs or design choices that trap you in an unescapable state. The New War has a notorious history with softlocks, primarily because the quest is long, cannot be aborted, and forces you into a series of fixed loadouts without access to your normal arsenal. However, true permanent softlocks are extremely rare, and most issues can be resolved with patience or a few troubleshooting steps.
Common Causes of Softlocks
The most frequent softlock happens during the Kahl-175 section, where you control a Grineer soldier. Sometimes enemies fail to spawn, or scripted events do not trigger, leaving you stuck in a room. Another hotspot is the Railjack segment, where connection problems can cause infinite loading screens or unresponsive controls. The Veso-R section, where you hack consoles as a Corpus crewman, has also been known to glitch, particularly if you move too fast or interact with panels out of sequence. In the final fight against Ballas, rare animation bugs might prevent his defeat from registering. These are the trouble spots you need to watch.
How to Fix a Quest Softlock
If you find yourself stuck, the first step is a simple restart. Close Warframe entirely, then relaunch. The quest usually resumes from the start of the current segment, which can be frustrating if you were far in, but it often resolves the issue. For console players, clearing the cache or restarting the system can help. If the problem persists, check your connection if you are in a multiplayer segment; playing solo sometimes sidesteps host-related bugs. On PC, verify your game cache through the launcher, and on consoles, consider reinstalling the game as a last resort. Digital Extremes has steadily patched the most common softlock triggers, so keeping your game updated is crucial.
When to Contact Support
If you have tried everything and remain trapped, do not panic. Warframe’s support team can manually advance your quest state. Submit a ticket at the official support site, providing your platform and a clear description of where you are stuck. Include screenshots or a short video if possible. In almost all cases, they can unstick your character without resetting your entire quest progress. This is a last resort, but it proves that no softlock is truly permanent unless you ignore it and abandon the account. So, can The New War softlock your account? Temporarily, yes, but it is almost always fixable.
Preparing for a Smooth New War Experience
To minimize the risk of softlocks, prepare before starting the quest. The New War is an extended period where you cannot access other game modes, so set aside a solid block of time, typically three to five hours for a first playthrough. Ensure your internet connection is stable, and consider playing during off-peak hours if you often have connectivity hiccups. Update your graphics drivers and the game to the latest version. Finally, familiarize yourself with the basic mechanics of Railjack and Necramechs, as you will need both. A little preparation goes a long way toward a bug-free experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is choosing Natah a bad ending?
No, it is not a bad ending. Warframe does not have traditional good or bad outcomes. The choice reflects personal preference and your interpretation of the Lotus. All options lead to the same gameplay future, only the narrative tone changes. You will not miss any rewards or quests.
Does the Lotus personality affect future quests?
Yes, dialogue in later content, such as the Angels of the Zariman and Veilbreaker updates, varies based on your choice. Natah speaks with a Sentient perspective, Lotus is encouraging, and Margulis is motherly. The voice lines are different, but the mission objectives remain identical.
Can I get stuck if I quit during The New War?
Quitting mid-quest is not possible through normal means because the quest locks you in. If you force-close the game, you will resume from the beginning of the current chapter upon relogging. It is safe, but you might lose progress within that chapter. Do not worry about permanent lockout; just do not delete your save data.
What if my Railjack is underpowered for the quest?
The quest provides a loaner Railjack and Necramech if yours are too weak, or if you do not own them. They have basic mods that are sufficient to complete the missions. Do not stress about upgrading them beforehand, though having a few mods can make things slightly easier.
Will I lose my normal inventory during the quest?
No, your inventory is safe. After The New War ends, you regain full access to your arsenal, Warframes, and resources. The quest temporarily restricts you to specific loadouts for story reasons, but everything returns to normal afterward.
The New War is a defining moment in Warframe’s story, and your choices, including whether to choose Natah, shape your personal narrative. Softlocks, while frustrating, are almost never permanent. With the right preparation and fixes, you can see the quest through to its epic conclusion and enjoy whichever version of the Lotus calls your name.
