Warframe

Warframe

Not enough ratings
Ascension SP Sub-6 minute Speed Run Strategy Guide
By ThePHiLsTeR [¬º-°]¬
Read this guide for a strategy, that with a good team, can finish Ascension missions in consistent sub-6 minute times.
   
Award
Favorite
Favorited
Unfavorite
Introduction

I would like to preface this by saying that this is not the only strategy for Ascension.
There are many viable strategies as Digital Extremes has worked hard to balance the game. However, I found this strategy to really work well with fast completion times. When all players are working well together and doing their job, I get consistent 5m30s times.



This guide also assumes that you are already familiar with Ascension and that you are in at least mid-game with good gear and some knowledge of the game.
Strategy Overview
Team Composition
  • Wukong with Helminth ability Ensnare
  • Wisp with Helminth ability Tharos Strike
  • High Dps Sister killer - e.g. Jade, Mirage, Kullervo, Chroma, etc..
  • Nuke - e.g. Saryn, Mesa, etc..
Keys to Sub-6-minute Runs
  • We need to keep the elevator boosted with the special shining charges. These special charges spawn randomly on the map and do not drop from enemies. Wukong, Sister Killer, and Nuke will gather the shiny charges and throw them at the capsule.
  • We need to kill the sister quickly using high dps and shield & armor strip Helminth ability, Tharos Strike. We use ensnare to prevent the Sister from potentially killing members and also to boost dps as it will be easier to line headshots.
  • At the end we need to protect the capsule and prevent it from rebooting.
  • Optional: If a player goes down, they should just revive themselves. There’s too much going on to revive each other. This is a short mission, so everyone should have plenty of revives to last.
Elevator Segment
Beacans
Beacans are needed to spawn the Sister at the end. They often can be spotted from far away as a small blue light. The Wukong can start by flying upward and gathering any visible beacons. If less than 3 are immediately visible, it ok to grab them later. Then the wukong should quickly return to gathering shiny charges.

Sister Beacan


Shiny Charges
Remember that shiny charges do not drop from enemies. They spawn at random locations. For quicker times, memorize these locations. All players except the Wisp should be looking for shiny charges.

Elevator Normal Status


Elevator Boosted Status

The bar will show arrows when boosted. The Wisp should stay at the elevator and throw shiny charges at the capsule whenever the boost runs out. Boosts stack so throw shiny charges as you get them. You need total 15 shiny charges for 100% up time on boosted status from bottom to top. With 100% up time, it takes 2 minutes and 30 seconds to reach the top.

Sister Segment
At the top, the Sister will spawn left of the hallway leading to extraction. The Wisp should cast Tharos Strike on the Sister for shield and armor strip. If somehow the Sister regens shields, Tharos Strike can be recasted. The Wukong should cast Ensnare to prevent the Sister from doing her nasty attacks and to increase headshot count for more damage.

Immediately after the sister dies, enemies will begin attacking the capsule. Therefor, the Wisp, Wukong, or Nuke should ignore the Sister and clear enemies in the room in preparation for the next phase.
Escort Capsule Segment
Immediately after the Sister dies, enemies will begin their attack. There will be no time to breath as the capsule can easily be destroyed. This is the time for the Nuke to shine. However, it should be a team effort protecting the capsule as enemies will be attacking from all directions.
Builds
Wukong with Ensnare Build
Recommended shards: Yellow casting speed shards

Wisp with Tharos Strike Build
Recommended shards: Red Power strength shards

Mesa Nuke and Sister Killer Build
Recommended shards: Red critical chance shards. Recommended secondary arcane: Secondary Encumber.

Mesa Regulators
If running Helminth ability, Nourish, then switch to magnetic damage.

Chroma High DPS Sister Killer Build
Recommended Shards: Red DPS shards. If running Helmint ability, Nourish, swap to Magnetic damage on weapon.

Note: The following weapons are not the only viable weapons! I'm just giving you some builds for popular top-tier weapons.

Burston Incarnon Build for Sister
Evolutions: Fortress Salvo, Extended Volley, Absolute Valor
If you don't have a riven, you can equip Vigilante Armaments. Good riven stats are CC, CD, DMG, and Multishot.

Torid Incarnon Build for Sister
Evolutions: Final Fusillade, Swift Deliverance, Survivor's Edge
If you don't have a riven, you can equip Vigilante Armaments. Good riven stats are CC, CD, DMG, and Multishot.

Furis Incarnon Build for Sister
Evolutions: Stormburst, Practiced Grip, Elemental Balance

Tenet Glaxion Build for Sister


Cerata Build for regular Ascension enemies
If you don't have a riven, you can equip Gladiator Might. Good riven stats are DMG, CD, CD, +Corpus, and initial combo. Throw the weapon. Then press heavy attack for a high damage explosion.

Other Recommended Primaries
Latron Prime Incarnon, Phenmor Incarnon, Felarx Incarnon,

Other Recommended Secondaries
Atomos Incarnon, Dual Toxocyst Incarnon, Bronco Prime Incarnon, Vasto Prime Incarnon
Video