Each Warframe's Job, Lorewise

In all seriousness? While [all are Captain Obvious remarks and] most of these are obviously designed for combat and war purposes others are more thematic than not, most likely at the behest of their designers and assigned Operators. So, the reasons that the designers at DE can associate with the Warframe they make may also apply to the Orokin's decisions on designing them. I apologize for the giant list.

Ash would be dedicated assassination.

Atlas I can only assume would be terrestrial terraforming, but also could be a thematic request.

Banshee is advanced acoustic technology.

Chroma is advanced elemental control and adapting physical endurance not unlike the Sentients most Warframes were designed to fight.

Ember is pyrotechnic augmentation and manipulation, which would inherently be more offensively oriented.

Equinox is a hard case, but I can imagine it was designed more thematically.

Excalibur is a basic Warframe unit, thematically designed around the legend of King Arthur. Most likely one of if not the very first designs produced.

Frost is cryotechnic augmentation and manipulation. Due to ice's nature as a crystalline solid augmenting it with Void energy would allow it to be utilized in a defensive manner as well as encumbering enemies.

Hydroid is water manipulation. While DE's implementation of him may seem basic weak it may be possible lore wise Hydroid has immense latent potential, seeing how he is capable of summoning an incarnation of a legendary sea beast, the Kraken which he resembles. Water is a part of all living beings, and Hydroid is capable of producing it and manipulating it.

Inaros is another very thematic unit. It is possible in his prime form Inaros was a ceremonial unit with an Operator of high standing, especially considering the lore behind him.

Ivara is based on the legend of the Greek goddess Artemis, with her kit reflecting a modernized iteration of the tools of a hunter.

Limbo was most likely a technological breakthrough in dimensional studies, as Limbo's original Operator was I can only assume a mathematical savant. That is why his kit isn't fully suited for combat but works just fine in such an area of use.

Loki, thematically named after the Norse god of trickery, was most likely designed around deception and reconnaissance. I cannot explain how his 4 works but such a displacement of weaponry gives him a unique and powerful tactical advantage to any human-like opposition.

Mag is magnetism manipulation. Seeing as Mag is another starter frame she was most likely another unit conceived after a recent technological breakthrough, following Excalibur and Volt.

Mesa is ballistics augmentation and enemy ballistic denial.

Mirage is light manipulation and ocular deception, with a hint of trickster due to thematic reasons. Seeing as the holograms she produces are solid and damaging in nature Void enhancement allows for such weaponization.

Nekros is a necromancer. Lore-wise the nature of his abilities alone would inspire fear in any normal enemy of the Orokin.

Nezha is purely thematic.

Nidus was most likely the pinnacle of Infested weaponry before it went awry in the Old War.

Nova is the weaponization of quantum mechanics and molecular theory.

Nyx is mainly mind disruption while possessing other minor psychic abilities

Oberon, despite DE's insistence of presenting him as a Paladin and a Druid, as present is designed to channel and use radiation as a weapon and tool.

Octavia, as we all know, weaponizes music. The Orokin most likely see music as a valuable part of their culture, and it is also an important part of their downfall as well, ironically enough.

Rhino was most likely designed as a self dependent offensive unit meant to withstand heavy damage, strengthen itself and allies and beat the enemy into submission. A bit basic but effective in use.

Saryn is the manipulation of all manner of pathogens and toxins. Lore-wise her unit would have a great advantage on the field, considering realistically barely anything could withstand corroding miasma, viral spores and vigilant toxins attacking the body all at once.

Titania, while thematically embraces the design of butterflies and the fairy, acts as a unit with the arsenal of an Archwing condensed into a tactically small form able to easily disrupt and annihilate foes with ease w/o being seen.

Trinity is the healer unit, using Void energy to instantly heal wounds, channel incoming damage away and recycle it to herself and allies, making her an undeniable asset to any assault.

Valkyr is a berserker unit, excelling in close quarters combat and closing the gap.

Vauban is a master of traps and area denial,using all forms of condensed technology capable of incapacitating armies immediately. Gameplay wise he is very powerful but lore wise I can imagine his unit isn't actually capable of producing endless quantities of traps, necessitating tactical application and management.

Volt is another starter frame, most likely hailing before Mag lore-wise. Weaponizing electricity is simple enough, though the complexity Volt shows is a testament to how far it was taken.

Wukong is also purely thematic. I cannot say anything in how his kit would translate to within the constraints of the Warframe universe, but if Defy works identically in both instances Wukong would be without a doubt immortal on the battlefield.

Zephyr manipulates the flow of air and possibly its temperature and barometric pressure. She most likely predates Titania lore wise seeing as her unit seems to be designed for either fast, streamlined movement through the air, long term flight, or both.

/r/Warframe Thread