New to the game, do I have to pay money to unlock Warframes?

[Q alt]

I was told by several people that "everything in the game can be earned without spending a dime", so how do I unlock Warframes without buying credits?

[Squidvasion]

Farm the basic frames from certain bosses on each planet. The wiki will tell you everything you need to know on what drops where.

[Alizarin]

They are given to you when you complete specific tasks like killing the boss of a planet or rewarded during sorties/void drops. Two frames, Oberon and Ash, are dropped from eximus units and manics. Most of the frame blueprint can be found in the market that only cost you credits you can earn in-game. Of course you can buy frames/weapons with platnium (currency that can be purchased with real cash or from trading) but it's pretty much wasting your money~

Reading the wikia through and through is a good idea, hope this helps~

[Q alt]

This helps a lot guys. I was considering picking up Mesa with some extra holiday cash from relatives just because I'm super hyped to play her. Is she any good?

[Gadman]

90% of Items in-game can be earned. You only have to pay for workshop items. Gather some void keys and find sets of Prime gear on the wiki. Farm for them and you could either trade them to other players for plat, or build them. Before you get Prime Warframes, I suggest you get the non-prime versions for Mastery Points.

[A Temu Vape]

Basically what Squidvasion said.

Each warframe has their parts scattered throughout the game.
For example: Hydroid is a frame that you need to farm a boss called "Vay Hek" for.
Hydroid has 4 parts;
Helmet
Chassis
Systems
Blueprint*

You'll notice I put a * next to blueprint, that's because MOST (not all)blueprints can be purchased from the market in your ship, and they can be bought with Credits.

You can buy frames with something called "Platinum", it's a virtual currency that you can purchase through steam or the Warframe website.
Credits and Platinum are two different currencies, however you can also get Platinum by trading weapon modifications/"Prime" parts with players.

So even then, you can get frames with premium currency without buying premium currency with your own money.

Everything is this game is essentially "free" that way, and nothing will make you feel forced to spend money unless you want to.

[Ivara Ara]

Publicado originalmente por Xecta:

This helps a lot guys. I was considering picking up Mesa with some extra holiday cash from relatives just because I'm super hyped to play her. Is she any good?

She is alright, i honestly wouldn't spend money on her but yeah, check the wiki and different ''warframe profiles'' on youtube to see which one you do feel like buying. Even though i wouldn't really urge you to buy a frame because of the high cost but.

[Alizarin]

Publicado originalmente por Xecta:

This helps a lot guys. I was considering picking up Mesa with some extra holiday cash from relatives just because I'm super hyped to play her. Is she any good?

Be careful what you pick, go take a good read of each warframe before deciding~

[Q alt]

What about Loki? A buddy of mine told me he's great if you enjoy speedy warframes. Thoughts?

[Ranger Jay]

I was really excited when I got my Oberon... boy was that a dissapointment.

[Alizarin]

Publicado originalmente por Xecta:

What about Loki? A buddy of mine told me he's great if you enjoy speedy warframes. Thoughts?

Speedy frame=volt, Zephyr and Nazha.

[Ivara Ara]

Publicado originalmente por Xecta:

What about Loki? A buddy of mine told me he's great if you enjoy speedy warframes. Thoughts?

If you want speed Nezha and Volt are the go to, Volt for his speed buff and Nezha for his amazing sliding speed bonus. Loki is an amazing CC class, if you're up against enemies that can't nullify your abilities then he can disarm forever and just leave enemies with stun sticks.

[white monster can indent gaming]

Publicado originalmente por Ruben T:

stun sticks.

Because Stun Batons are too mainstream.
Back to the topic, Mesa and Loki have good CC (crowd control). While Loki can be earned without any major problems, Mesa is a tricky one. You can read about all that on the official Wiki
( warframe.wikia.com )

[Alizarin]

No one likes Zephyr....

[dyra55]

Publicado originalmente por METRiC Yuuki Σ:

No one likes Zephyr....

No-one likes Zephyr? just take a look at Limbo

[AzureTheGamerKobold]

You can EARN every single warframe in game BUT you need to BUY frame and weapon slots (you get a few at the start though). For example i have hydroid and wukong being crafted right now, and only 1 frame slot open when wukong finishes i'll need 20 plat to buy an additional slot.

You can sell prime parts and blue prints for plat to other players much later down the road, my advice is to figure out one frame you really like/appeals to you and find a clan to help you get that frame. Stick with it untill you can solo and run the void with friends and allies. Then you can start collecting plat from spare parts.