Warframe‘s Jade Shadows update also came with a new game mode called Ascension, and it’s necessary if you want to snag all the lovely rewards for the ongoing 30-day event. As is the case with anything new in Warframe, it can be intimidating to learn or initiate. So, I’m here to help you on how to play Ascension missions in Warframe. You’ll need to meet some prerequisites first.
Warframe Ascension Prerequisites
Before you gain access to Ascension missions, you need to complete the following:
- Jade Shadows quest
- As a prerequisite for Jade Shadows, you also need to have completed The New War quest.
Finish those two first, and you’ll gain access to Ascension missions.
Warframe Ascension Mission Location
You can find Ascension missions in Brutus, Uranus, you likely need to have the connected Desdemona node unlocked first (which should be easy). It’s a new node that will open up once you’ve completed Jade Shadows.
Brutus, Uranus is also part of the ongoing event, Operation: Belly of the Beast. You can choose this Ascension mission version instead of the regular Ascension for additional rewards.
How Does Ascension Work in Warframe? Explained
Ascension has three phases or stages. It’s a combination of defense, hijack, and rescue mission types. Here’s what you have to do and remember in each stage of Ascension.
| Stage/Phase | Objective |
| Stage 1: Mote Collector | A short defense phase where you have to protect the Mote Collector. |
| Stage 2: Elevator | Kill enemies and collect green Ionic Charges to power the elevator. |
| Stage 3: Extract | Defend the Extraction Capsule during extraction. |
Side Objective: Collect 3 Sister Beacons during Stage 2 (Elevator) to summon a Sister of Parvos to fight.
Tip: Don’t worry about falling from the elevator in Stage 2 since the jump height is boosted for Ascension missions, letting you keep up with the elevator’s ascend. Also, prioritize killing the glowing green enemies.
Each Ascension mission run typically takes anywhere from 5-10 minutes. Rewards range from the new weapon blueprints to Jade component blueprints and even Relics. Additionally, you can obtain Vestigial Motes (and Volatile Motes if you join the Belly of the Beast variant), which you can use to purchase rewards from Ordis in Larunda Relay, Mercury.
Last but not least, the Eximus spawn rate in Ascension missions is staggeringly high, making it the new best spot for ranking up Warframes and weapons. In short, you’ll be missing out if you don’t participate in the new Warframe Ascension missions.
Warframe is available on the PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5,
