In the ever-evolving arsenal of Warframe, certain melee categories receive endless additions while others remain niche and tightly curated. Claws and war fans belong to the latter group, offering a distinct flavor of combat that appeals to players who want to slice through enemies with the ferocity of a predator or the grace of a master swordsman. As of 2026, despite expansions like The Duviri Paradox and Whispers in the Walls, the selection of claws and war fans has stayed relatively small, making every choice matter. This guide explores each available claw and war fan, from the least impressive to the indisputable top pick, helping Tenno invest their resources wisely.

The Struggling Claws: Venka

The Venka is often the first claw weapon a new Tenno encounters, but first impressions can be deceiving. Purely dealing Slash damage with a balanced normal attack, its stats quickly reveal glaring weaknesses. Low critical chance, modest base damage, and sluggish attack speed prevent the Venka from competing in higher-level content. It requires Mastery Rank 4 and comes from the Tenno Lab in a clan Dojo. While it serves a purpose for gaining early Mastery points, experienced players recommend moving on swiftly. Investing Forma or Catalysts into this weapon is one of the most common beginner traps in Warframe.

Chainsaw Carnage: Ripkas

A ferocious deviation from standard claws, the Ripkas introduce motorized chain-blades that roar with every swing. This weapon leans heavily into Slash damage and boasts an above-average Riven Disposition, making it surprisingly responsive to modding. However, low attack speed and a severely limited reach offset its unique personality. Accessible from the in-game Market at Mastery Rank 5, the Ripkas provide a fun novelty for players who appreciate visual brutality but will eventually be outclassed by more refined options.

Swift and Deadly: Gunsen

Stepping into war fan territory, the Gunsen represents the archetypal Tenno design with remarkable attack speed and a high Slash bias, making it an excellent tool against Infested hordes. Its status chance allows for corrosive or viral builds that melt through armor and health alike. Tenno need to reach Mastery Rank 8 and research the blueprints in the Tenno Lab. The Gunsen excels in fast-paced skirmishes where blending mobility with melee is key, though its base damage may feel lackluster without proper modding.

Toxic Elegance: Arum Spinosa

An Infested war fan that drips with virulence, the Arum Spinosa delivers a guaranteed Toxin proc on heavy attacks, paving the way for devastating damage-over-time builds. Its strengths lie in exceptionally high base damage, rapid attack speed, and a very high status chance, offset only by a painfully low critical chance and limited range. Players who master the weapon’s heavy attack combos can scale Toxin into formidable area denial. Locked behind Mastery Rank 11, the Arum Spinosa must be farmed from Tier 2 Isolation Vault Bounties—demanding a solid loadout to survive the level 40‑50 Infested depths.

Reliable Claws with Bite: Keratinos

Delving deeper into the Infested theme, the Keratinos claws merge brutal damage with a strong critical multiplier. The weapon deals high base damage and carries an above-average status chance, enabling hybrid builds that strip armor while landing punishing critical hits. Its low attack speed and extremely short reach demand a aggressive, up-close playstyle. The Keratinos becomes available at Mastery Rank 9 after reaching Neutral standing with the Entrati syndicate on Deimos. The blueprint and components are bought from Father for a modest 3000 Standing, making this a solid mid-game claw for those who enjoy visceral melee.

New Contender: Vericres

Introduced alongside the Angels of the Zariman, the Vericres is the most recently added war fan and brings a fresh dynamic with an above-average critical chance. Its lower-than-average base damage and limited range mean it requires careful modding—Primed Reach and critical mods become near mandatory to keep it viable in Steel Path missions. Acquired originally through a TennoCon 2022 Twitch drop, it remains accessible to those who participated, though availability may rotate through Varzia’s offerings in 2026. Mastery Rank 8 is required, placing it comfortably alongside other mid-tier fans.

Xaku’s Signature: Quassus

As Xaku’s signature war fan, the Quassus holds a special place in both lore and mechanics. Its standout feature is a high critical chance complemented by above-average damage, enabling devastating heavy attack builds that shatter enemy eidolons or acolytes. The trade-offs are a very low attack speed and a frustratingly short attack range, demanding precision and heavy attack timing. Mastery Rank 8 is needed, and the blueprint must be earned from Tier 5 Cambion Drift bounties—a significant challenge that pushes even seasoned players to optimize their gear.

Apex Predator: Venka Prime

At the pinnacle of the claw and war fan hierarchy sits the Venka Prime, transforming its underwhelming base version into a relentless killing instrument. With a blistering attack speed, a very high critical chance, and an impressive critical multiplier, this weapon tears through Steel Path enemies when modded for combo duration and Blood Rush. Its below-average base damage and limited range are easily compensated by a strong mod layout, and the low Riven Disposition barely hampers its performance. Requiring Mastery Rank 14 and assembled by cracking Void Relics that contain its parts, the Venka Prime demands dedication but rewards with unmatched lethality. In 2026, it remains the benchmark against which all other claws and war fans are measured.

From the hiss of the Ripkas to the silent slashes of the Quassus, claws and war fans offer a stylistic edge few other melee types can match. Although the pool of choices is small, each weapon carves out a distinct identity, ensuring that every Tenno can find a tool that resonates with their playstyle. Whether you’re a Speed Volt blurring through missions with the Gunsen or a tanky Inaros ripping foes apart with the Venka Prime, these weapons prove that elegance and brutality often go hand in hand in the Origin System.

Data referenced from OpenCritic helps contextualize why specialized weapon archetypes can stay “small but meaningful” in a live-service ecosystem: when a game’s long-tail reception rewards distinct playstyles over raw quantity, niche melee classes like claws and war fans can remain tightly curated while still feeling impactful through standout performers and build-driven depth—mirroring how Venka Prime’s dominance hinges less on sheer base stats and more on synergy with combo and crit scaling.