Warframe Argon Crystals: Farming Locations, Uses, and Everything You Need to Know

Introduction

Warframe is a game of endless possibilities, a universe teeming with powerful Warframes, devastating weapons, and a sprawling crafting system. Among the many resources you’ll encounter in your journey through the Origin System, one stands out as particularly elusive and valuable: the Argon Crystal. These shimmering purple crystals are essential for crafting a wide array of items, from powerful Warframes to crucial components for your Dojo. However, their unique properties – namely, their tendency to decay over time – make them a constant source of frustration and fascination for both new and seasoned Tenno alike. Why are they important for new players? Argon Crystals gatekeep the construction of many entry-level Warframes and weapons, thus speeding their initial progression. Why are they still relevant for experienced players? Even veterans need Argon Crystals for advanced gear, Dojo research, and decorating their personal quarters.

This guide serves as your comprehensive resource for understanding and acquiring Warframe Argon Crystals. We’ll delve into the best farming locations, the most effective Warframes and gear to use, the numerous uses of these precious crystals, and crucial tips to maximize your gains. Prepare to master the art of Argon Crystal farming and unlock the full potential of your Warframe arsenal. Argon Crystals are a resource found only in the void, which is a tileset that doesn’t appear anywhere else in the solar system. They decay over time, meaning you must either use them or farm them again later.

Understanding Argon Crystals

So, what exactly are Argon Crystals? These are a rare resource exclusively found within the Void, a mysterious dimension accessed through Void Relics or specific nodes on the star chart. Argon Crystals have a shimmering, ethereal appearance, making them somewhat noticeable amidst the Void’s intricate architecture. However, their true peculiarity lies in their unstable nature: they decay over time. Their icon is a purplish-pink crystal cluster, that appears to have multiple pointy spikes coming off of it.

The decaying mechanic is an integral part of Argon Crystal management. Each Argon Crystal you acquire will halve in quantity every Earth day (hours). This means that if you harvest two Argon Crystals, one real-world day later you will only have one Argon Crystal (rounded down). This decay timer applies in-game, regardless of whether or not you’re logged in. This makes them a truly ephemeral resource and demands a strategic approach to gathering and utilization. This property necessitates careful planning and swift action, as Argon Crystals become effectively useless if left untouched for too long.

Because of this decay, you must be ready to craft your desired item immediately after farming Argon Crystals, or else the argon crystals will decay and you must farm them again later.

Best Farming Locations for Argon Crystals

The Void is the sole source of Warframe Argon Crystals. Within the Void, these crystals have a chance to spawn in containers, lockers, and as freestanding crystal formations scattered throughout the environment.

Finding Argon Crystals can be a frustrating experience, but knowing which missions to do can significantly increase your chances. While any mission in the Void can potentially yield Argon Crystals, certain mission types and nodes offer a higher probability of success:

Survival Missions

Endurance runs in Void Survival missions provide ample opportunity to explore large areas, defeat numerous enemies, and uncover hidden caches. The longer you survive, the more chances you have to find Argon Crystals. Specifically, Mot in the Void is a popular choice due to its high enemy density.

Defense Missions

Defense missions offer a more controlled environment for farming. As you defend the objective, you’ll have time to thoroughly search the surrounding area for Argon Crystals, making it a balanced approach to resource gathering. Specifically, Ukko in the Void is a popular choice due to its efficiency.

Capture Missions

Capture missions are very quick and can net you some Argon Crystals if you are fast enough to explore the map after capturing the target. Specifically, Ukko in the Void is a popular choice due to its efficiency.

Exterminate Missions

Exterminate missions require you to kill a certain number of enemies. While completing this objective, you can take the time to explore the whole map and look for loot as well. Specifically, Teshub in the Void is a popular choice due to its guaranteed Orokin Cell reward and a fairly small map.

Success in obtaining Warframe Argon Crystals also relies on knowledge of the Void’s intricate maps. Familiarize yourself with the layout of common Void tilesets. Learn to recognize potential spawn points, hidden rooms, and secret passages. Many of these areas are easily overlooked during the heat of battle, but they often hold valuable Argon Crystal deposits.

There are some additional considerations to take into account as well. Syndicate missions, Void Fissures, Alerts, Invasions, and Nightwave missions are all worth doing if they take place in the Void tileset. Each of these missions has additional rewards in addition to the Argon Crystals, making them worthwhile to participate in.

Warframes and Equipment for Efficient Farming

Choosing the right Warframe and equipping the appropriate mods can dramatically improve your Argon Crystal farming efficiency.

• Warframes with Loot Abilities:

Some Warframes possess abilities that directly increase the number of resources you acquire. These include Hydroid with his Pilfering Swarm augment, Khora with her Pilfering Strangledome augment, Nekros with his Desecrate ability, and Wukong with his clone ability. These Warframes are especially suited to Argon Crystal farming due to their ability to potentially double the amount of crystals you find.

• Warframes with Speed/Mobility Abilities:

Warframes like Volt, Nova, and Titania can quickly traverse the map, allowing you to cover more ground and discover more Argon Crystal spawns in a shorter amount of time. They will allow you to explore more rooms and destroy more containers more quickly than other Warframes.

• Loot Radar Mods and Enemy Radar Mods:

Equip mods like Thief’s Wit and Animal Instinct on your Warframe or companion to increase your loot radar. This will help you to locate containers and other potential Argon Crystal spawns on the minimap. Enemy Sense can also be helpful to find enemies behind crates or walls.

• Smeeta Kavat:

The Smeeta Kavat is a feline companion whose Charm ability can grant you a buff that dramatically increases resource drops. This can potentially double the number of Argon Crystals you receive, making it an invaluable asset to any serious farmer.

Uses of Argon Crystals

Argon Crystals are a core ingredient in numerous crafting recipes, making them essential for advancing your Warframe experience.

• Crafting Warframes:

Many of the game’s most powerful and versatile Warframes, such as Mesa Prime, Titania Prime, and many others, require Argon Crystals in their construction.

• Crafting Weapons:

Numerous weapons, from powerful rifles to devastating melee weapons, require Argon Crystals as part of their crafting recipes. This includes weapons such as the Corinth Prime and the Tenet Arca Plasmor.

• Building Dojo Decorations/Research:

If you’re part of a clan, Argon Crystals are essential for constructing Dojo decorations and researching new technologies. They may be needed to construct labs, reactors, gardens, statues, or other types of decorations.

• Other Items that Require Argon Crystals:

Beyond Warframes, weapons, and Dojo construction, Argon Crystals are used in the crafting of various other items, including certain Archwings and cosmetic items. These can include catalysts and reactors, which are used to increase the mod capacity of Warframes and weapons.

Tips and Strategies for Maximizing Argon Crystal Gains

Mastering the art of Argon Crystal farming involves more than just knowing where to go. Here are some strategies to maximize your gains and minimize frustration:

• Farm in groups for efficiency:

Squads can cover more ground and clear enemies faster, resulting in more Argon Crystals overall. Additionally, multiple players looting can increase the chances of finding Argon Crystals.

• Plan your builds ahead:

Before embarking on an Argon Crystal farming run, determine which items you want to craft. This will help you estimate the amount of crystals you need and avoid wasting time farming unnecessarily.

• Forge only when needed:

Since Argon Crystals decay over time, it’s best to forge items only when you’re ready to use them. Avoid hoarding Argon Crystals for future use, as they may disappear before you have a chance to spend them.

• Don’t hoard Argon Crystals:

Because of their decaying nature, it is not a good idea to keep Argon Crystals in your inventory for longer than necessary. Use them or lose them.

• Using Resource Boosters and Resource Drop Chance Boosters:

These boosters can significantly increase your Argon Crystal gains. Resource Boosters double the number of resources you receive from each drop, while Resource Drop Chance Boosters increase the likelihood of resources dropping in the first place.

• Squad Composition:

A well-balanced squad can significantly improve your farming efficiency. Consider bringing Warframes with looting abilities, crowd control abilities, and damage-dealing capabilities.

Conclusion

Warframe Argon Crystals are a valuable resource, and it is important to know how to farm them effectively. In this guide, we covered the best locations, Warframe builds, and resource management techniques to master Argon Crystal farming. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to acquire the Argon Crystals you need to craft powerful Warframes, weapons, and other essential items. Remember to prioritize efficient farming strategies, manage your Argon Crystals carefully, and always be prepared for their inevitable decay. With dedication and the right approach, you’ll conquer the Void and amass a wealth of these precious crystals, unlocking the full potential of your Warframe journey.