Introduction
Unlock a new level of Warframe customization and build diversity with the Helminth System! In Warframe, the Helminth Segment represents a pivotal addition, transforming how players approach build crafting and Warframe specialization. It’s more than just a room on your Orbiter; it’s a gateway to unprecedented flexibility, allowing you to infuse Warframes with abilities from others, crafting builds tailored to your specific playstyle and mission needs. This article serves as your comprehensive guide to understanding, unlocking, and mastering the Helminth System, empowering you to elevate your Warframe experience to new heights. Whether you’re a seasoned Tenno seeking to optimize your arsenal or a newcomer eager to explore the depth of Warframe’s customization, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to harness the full potential of the Helminth. We’ll explore the requirements to unlock this transformative feature, delve into the intricacies of its interface, dissect the available abilities, provide practical build examples, and offer tips to optimize your Helminth experience.
Gaining Access to the Helminth Segment
Before diving into the possibilities, you’ll need to unlock the Helminth Segment itself. This requires meeting certain criteria and completing specific steps.
First, you need to have reached a Mastery Rank of at least eight. Mastery Rank is a measure of your overall progress in Warframe, earned by leveling up weapons, Warframes, and other gear. If you haven’t reached this rank yet, focus on leveling up new equipment to increase your standing.
The second major prerequisite is completing the “Heart of Deimos” quest. This quest is unlocked after completing the “Vox Solaris” quest on Venus and reaching the Free Roam node on Deimos. It will guide you through the initial interactions with the Entrati family and expose you to the unique environment of Deimos. You can start the “Heart of Deimos” quest directly from your Codex.
Once you’ve completed the “Heart of Deimos” quest, you’ll be able to acquire the blueprint for the Helminth Segment. This blueprint is obtained from Son, a vendor located in the Necralisk on Deimos. He can be found in the main hub area of the Necralisk.
To construct the Helminth Segment, you’ll need to gather specific resources. This typically includes resources found on Deimos, such as Necrathene, as well as more common resources like Orokin Cells. Deimos resources can be obtained through completing bounties, exploring the open world, and defeating enemies on Deimos. Orokin Cells are found on planets like Ceres and Saturn. Be sure to check the Warframe market for blueprints of resource extractors, which can passively generate resources while you are offline.
With all the necessary resources in hand, head to your Foundry and begin crafting the Helminth Segment. Once the crafting process is complete, navigate to the back of your Orbiter and install the segment in the designated area. This will unlock the Helminth room and grant you access to its functionalities. If you encounter any issues during this process, ensure that you have met all the prerequisites and have the necessary resources. A simple restart of the game can sometimes resolve minor bugs.
Navigating the Helminth Interface and Mechanics
The Helminth room on your Orbiter features a unique interface with several key sections, each serving a distinct purpose. Understanding these sections is crucial to effectively utilize the Helminth System.
First is the Subsume section. This is where you sacrifice a Warframe to extract one of its abilities. It is essential to note that this process permanently removes the Warframe from your inventory, so be sure you have duplicates or are prepared to lose the Warframe. The Helminth will display the available abilities for the selected Warframe, allowing you to choose which one to extract.
Next, we have the Infuse section. Here, you can inject a previously extracted ability into another Warframe, replacing one of its existing abilities. Not all abilities can be replaced, and the UI will clearly indicate which abilities are eligible. Consider carefully which ability you want to replace, as this change will affect your Warframe’s playstyle.
The Helminth Abilities section presents an overview of all the abilities you have unlocked for the Helminth System. As you increase your Helminth rank, more abilities become available. This section allows you to browse and plan your future infusions.
The Secretions section displays the resources required for Helminth actions, such as Bile, Mutagen, and others. These secretions are obtained through various activities, including feeding resources to the Helminth and completing missions. Monitoring your secretion levels is important to ensure you have enough to perform the actions you desire.
Finally, the Helminth Rank/Progression section shows your current Helminth rank and the progress towards the next rank. Increasing the Helminth’s rank unlocks new abilities, features, and customization options.
When subsuming a Warframe, remember that it’s a permanent decision. The Helminth will provide a warning before you proceed. The selection of the ability to extract is also crucial. Consider the potential applications and synergies of each ability before making your choice.
Infusing an ability involves careful consideration of mod slot constraints. Replacing an ability might affect the mods you can equip. Think about how the new ability will interact with your existing build and adjust your mod configuration accordingly. The Helminth UI clearly displays the statistics and effects of each ability, allowing you to make informed decisions.
Exploring Helminth Abilities: An Overview
The Helminth system grants access to a wide array of abilities, each with unique functionalities and potential applications. These abilities can be broadly categorized into Damage, Crowd Control, Support, and Utility.
Damage abilities focus on inflicting direct damage to enemies. Examples include abilities that deal burst damage, sustained damage over time, or area-of-effect damage.
Crowd control abilities aim to control the battlefield by stunning, slowing, or otherwise incapacitating enemies. These abilities are invaluable for survival and managing large groups of enemies.
Support abilities provide buffs to allies or debuffs to enemies, enhancing their combat effectiveness. These abilities are essential for team-based gameplay and supporting your squad.
Utility abilities offer a variety of functions, such as mobility, resource generation, or stealth. These abilities can enhance your overall gameplay experience and provide unique advantages in specific situations.
A popular ability is “Roar” from Rhino, which provides a damage boost to both the Warframe and its allies. “Eclipse” from Mirage offers damage reduction and increased damage, making it suitable for survivability and offense. “Nourish” from Grendel provides energy regeneration and viral damage to the Warframe and its allies. “Silence” from Banshee reduces enemy awareness, increasing survivability and providing stealth capabilities.
The effectiveness of each ability depends on various factors, including the Warframe it is infused into, the mod configuration, and the specific mission context. Experimenting with different abilities and builds is key to discovering what works best for you.
Warframe Builds with Helminth: Practical Examples
The Helminth System truly shines when used to create customized Warframe builds tailored to specific roles and playstyles. Here are a few examples to illustrate the possibilities:
- Damage Focused Saryn: Replace Saryn’s Molt with Roar for a significant damage buff to her Spores and Toxic Lash. Mod for duration and strength.
- Crowd Control Focused Nyx: Replace Mind Control with Ensnare for a more reliable and widespread crowd control effect. Mod for range and duration.
- Survival Focused Revenant: Replace Reave with Defy for increased survivability and armor. Mod for strength and duration.
- Support Focused Trinity: Replace Well of Life with Dispensary for a reliable energy and health source. Mod for range and efficiency.
- Niche Build for Index, Hildryn: Replace Balefire with Pillage. This can remove enemy armor and shields, as well as replenishing Hildryn’s shields. Mod for range and efficiency.
These are just a few examples, and the possibilities are virtually endless. The key is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each Warframe and choose abilities that complement their existing kit. Consider the mod configurations required to maximize the effectiveness of the infused ability and ensure synergy with the Warframe’s other abilities.
Optimizing Your Helminth Experience
To make the most of the Helminth system, it’s essential to optimize your resource farming efforts and manage your Warframe inventory effectively.
Efficient resource farming involves targeting specific missions and activities that provide the secretions needed for Helminth actions. Deimos bounties are a great source of Deimos-specific secretions, while other resources can be farmed on their respective planets. Consider using resource boosters to increase your drop rates.
Managing your Warframe inventory involves careful planning of which Warframes to subsume. Consider building duplicates of Warframes you enjoy playing before sacrificing them to the Helminth. Also, keep track of the abilities you have already extracted to avoid unnecessary duplicates.
Avoid common mistakes such as subsuming Warframes you haven’t fully leveled up, as this will prevent you from obtaining the full Mastery Rank experience. Also, avoid infusing abilities without carefully considering the impact on your build.
Helminth in the Current Meta
The Helminth system has significantly shaped the Warframe meta, influencing the viability of different Warframes and build archetypes. Many players use the Helminth to address weaknesses or enhance existing strengths of their favorite Warframes.
The Helminth has democratized access to powerful abilities, allowing players to create more versatile and effective builds. It has also created new opportunities for experimentation and innovation, leading to a more diverse and dynamic meta.
The future of the Helminth system is likely to involve new abilities, Warframes, and mechanics. As Warframe continues to evolve, the Helminth will undoubtedly remain a central component of build crafting and Warframe specialization.
In Conclusion
The Helminth Segment is a game-changing addition to Warframe, providing unprecedented customization and build diversity. By mastering the Helminth System, you can unlock a new level of power and flexibility, creating builds tailored to your specific playstyle and mission needs. Experiment, explore, and discover the endless possibilities that await you. Share your favorite Helminth builds and strategies with the Warframe community and contribute to the ongoing evolution of the game. Now, Tenno, go forth and master the Helminth!
