The Best Archguns in Warframe

Archguns in Atmosphere

While Archguns are primarily used in zero-gravity missions that utilize the Archwing or in Railjack, they can also be used in atmospheric missions. To do this you need to acquire the Gravimag and an Archweapon Deployer. 

The Archweapon Deployer is unlocked after reaching max rank with the Solaris United Syndicate on Venus. The Gravimag can be acquired for free after your first completion of Phase 3 of the Profit-Taker-Orb Heist. After that, you can get the blueprint from the Tenno Research Lab in the Clan Dojo or the Market for 20 Platinum.

Imperator Vandal

The first Archgun in this guide is the Imperator Vandal. An upgraded version of the regular Vandal, the Imperator boasts several stat increases like higher critical chance, critical multiplier, and higher fire rate for example.

This weapon has a higher fire rate, magazine, and ammo capacity compared to other Archguns. Combine that with its decent crit stats and low reload delay and you can make a decent crit build with the Imperator.

Stats

Acquisition

All parts for the Imperator Vandal can be acquired from the Balor Fomorian Invasion event by doing the Fomorian Sabotage missions. The parts can also be traded amongst players using the trade system.

Larkspur Prime

The next weapon in this guide is Hildryn Prime’s signature weapon, the Larkspur Prime. This weapon has a high-Status Chance and high total damage compared to most of its counterparts. This Archgun also has an explosive alt-fire that can absolutely clear rooms, making it great at dealing AOE damage. 

Stats

Alt-fire Projectile Impact

Explosion

Acquisition

The parts for the Larkspur Prime can currently be grabbed from the Void Relics Neo P7 for the Stock, Axi L6 for the Barrel, Meso B9 for the Blueprint, and Lith P9 for the Receiver.

If vaulted in the future, the regular Larkspur can be acquired from the Tenno Lab in the Clan Dojo.

Kuva Ayanga

The first Kuva weapon to make this list is the Kuva Ayanga. A rapid-fire grenade launcher, the Kuva Ayanga has a high crit chance and high total damage compared to other Archguns. Despite its slow rate of fire, this weapon can dish out some decent AOE damage and comes with additional elemental damage based on the progenitor Warframe used to make the Kuva Lich that drops it.

Stats

Explosion

Acquisition

Like any Kuva weapon, the Kuva Ayanga drops by defeating a Kuva Lich that is created with this weapon. Luckily, when creating a Kuva Lich you can see which weapon they’ll spawn with before committing which makes it easier to farm this Archgun.

While the weapons themselves can’t be traded, you can trade Kuva Lich’s with other players if someone you know has a Lich with the Kuva Ayanga.

Kuva Grattler

The second Kuva in the guide, the Kuva Grattler is an upgraded version of the regular Grattler Archgun. Although the stat changes aren’t that impressive. Despite that, like a lot of Archguns in this guide, the Kuva Grattler deals decent AOE damage that can clear rooms with ease.

Stats

Explosion

Acquisition

Just like I mentioned above, the Kuva Grattler can be acquired by defeating a Kuva Lich that spawns with the weapon, or by trading Kuva Lich’s with a player.

Mausolon

The last Archgun in this guide, and one of the strongest in the game, is the Mausolon. Boasting high critical chance and multiplier, fast charge speed, and extremely high accuracy, the Mausolon has a lot going for it.

This weapon is also easy to get as it will happen naturally for any player going through Warframes story quests.

Stats

Charged Shot Laser

Charged Explosion Shot

Acquisition

Players receive this Archgun automatically when claiming any Necromech from the Foundry. This means, that if going through Warframes content, you’ll eventually unlock this weapon since you need the Necromech for certain quests.