Thanks to Warframe Update 35, you’re not just a ninja in space anymore. Now, you’re also a wizard in space, complete with your own grimoire that’s aptly named… Grimoire! It’s Warframe‘s newest weapon, and the best part is that everyone can get it for free. It’s a complicated weapon, however, and you’ll need the help of our Warframe Grimoire build guide. That’s because Grimoire is the first weapon in Warframe to utilize a new mod system called Tome Mods. They’re practically passive spells. However, it’s still a secondary weapon, and with our Warframe Grimoire build guide, we’ll treat it as such. Keep in mind that this is a build in progress, though we have tested it in Steel Path, and it’s more or less viable.
Warframe Grimoire Build Guide | Mods, Arcanes, & Forma Count
Mods are at the beating heart of this build, and we’re going to level with you here; some of these mods are a bit expensive and costly to level up if you’re a beginner. However, they do have cheap or budget alternatives that work well for regular missions. For Steel Path, however, you’ll want the Primed and Galvanized variants.
Slot these in and throw some spells.
Slot these in and throw some spells.
- Lethal Momentum (Exilus Mod) – You can opt for a Tome Mod for better utility, but Grimoire’s projectiles are painfully slow and if you want a functioning weapon more than a support or utility tool, Lethal Momentum beats the new Tome Mods.
- Primed Target Cracker – More critical damage is great since this is a hybrid build. Use the non-Prime variant for budget constraints.
- Primed Pistol Gambit – Of course, you want critical chance as well. Use the non-Prime variant for budget constraints.
- Galvanized Diffusion – Multishot is mandatory on ranged weapons, so there. Use Barrel Diffusion for budget constraints.
- Galvanized Shot – More Status Chance and higher damage when paired with a Status Warframe. Sadly, it’s hard to find an alternative for this one.
- Lethal Torrent – More Multishot and Fire Rate always helps for any Secondary build.
- Pistol Pestilence (make sure this element goes first) – Toxin damage for Corrosive and added Status Chance.
- Jolt (this element goes second) – Electric damage for Corrosive and added Status Chance as well.
- Primed/Heated Charge (this element goes last) – For the Heat damage, of course. It has to go last, but luckily, Grimoire has a Polarity slot ready for it.
All in all, you’re going to need five Forma for this build, so it’s not cheap. It’s viable enough for Steel Path, however, but don’t expect to one-shot Eximus units or Acolytes with this Grimoire build. Its main strength is for clearing mobs.
As we also stated somewhere in that mod list, you can opt for Tome Mods, but you’ll be losing out on DPS as Tome Mods typically just add more utility and support capabilities.
Best Arcanes for our Grimoire Build
You have two choices for your Arcanes for this Warframe Grimoire build. Consider the following Arcanes, which you can obtain in Zariman or from Steel Path Acolytes.
- Cascadia Flare (added damage whenever you trigger Heat Status)
- Secondary Merciless (added damage on kill)
Cascadia Flare is the more appealing and accessible option here since you’re always triggering Heat Status effects, and you don’t have to kill an enemy first to get the benefits.
Grimoire Build Playstyle
This weapon and build has a low-skill ceiling as far as Warframe weapons go. Grimoire thankfully has an auto-trigger and you can just hold fire to keep releasing its projectile spheres (though the fire rate is rather low for an automatic weapon).
Just keep the alt-fire meter in mind because you’re always going to want to use it when it’s full and ready. If you do decide to throw in some Tome Mods, expect your playstyle to change with this Grimore build since you now might need to weave the weapon’s alt-fire into your skill rotations. Otherwise, just keep slinging those spells like the space ninja wizard you are.
