Warframe Nova Build Guide

April 29, 2014

Nova Slow Basic build.png Slow Nova. You need at least 150% power strength for maximum slow and then get as much duration as you can to maximize the number of enemies affected. Everything else is optional.

Nova Fast.png
Fast Nova – minimize power strength through Overextended so enemies speed up. This is useful for clearing low level defense missions quickly.

Nova is the ultimate glass cannon. Great attack power and mobility, very weak defensively. Keep her moving and keep killing quickly if you want to survive. Stay near teammates (as tempting as it is to rush ahead) because you’ll need them to revive you from time to time.

Aura: Any – is fine. I normally use Corrosive Projection.

Powers: Molecular Prime is the best ability in the game. It does ridiculous damage, slows enemies to half speed, and doubles damage to them. Wormhole is also good for mobility. Nova is probably the best Warframe to run for invasion missions because she is so fast and can just run through priming everything and grinding out those 5 missions in minimum time. The other two powers are decent, but not too impressive, so I don’t typically use them.

Polarities: V V. Use Intensify, Continuity, or Transient Fortitude.

Corrupted/Nightmare Mods: Constitution, Fortitude, and Vigor are all good options.

Fleeting expertise reduces the range of M. Prime, so it isn’t as amazing as it used to be. Blind rage might sound useful, but it’s really not worth the efficiency loss. Overextended reduces power strength which not only does less damage, but also speeds enemies up, which can be used to speed up Defense missions. Narrow minded expands the range of the priming effect, but reduces the explosion range, so it’s a tradeoff. I personally think continuity + constitution gives you enough priming range.

Syndicate mods:
Neutron Star allows you to detonate Null Star’s particles early. Normally they detonate quickly anyway, so I don’t think this mod is worthwhile.

Antimatter Absorb increases Antimatter Drop’s damage by enemy fire as well. I’ve never seen Antimatter Drop not kill every enemy hit by it. Presumably that happens, but it’s so rare that it’s not worth using a mod to increase Antimatter Drop’s damage.

Other Mods: Streamline, Flow, and defensive mods. Nova is a good choice for the Quick Thinking/Rage combo due to her large energy reserves and frailty.

My Other Guides:
Beginner’s Guide
Warframe Comparison
Ash Build Guide
Banshee Build Guide
Chroma Build Guide
Ember Guide
Excalibur Guide
Frost Build Guide
Hydroid Guide
Limbo Build Guide
Loki Guide
Mag Guide
Mesa Build Guide
Mirage Guide
Nekros Guide
Nova Guide
Nyx Guide
Oberon Guide
Rhino Guide
Saryn Guide
Trinity Guide
Valkyr Guide
Vauban Guide
Volt Guide
Zephyr Guide

26 Comments leave one →

dm2255 permalink

June 25, 2014 10:51 am

I would have to disagree with many mods here as they are all good but if you are posting the best set up then they simply do not do the trick.

For the ultimate set up from my experience you will need to forma 3 times at least but may need to forma a few more times upgrade all the mods to max.

Energy Syphon seems the most useful of the aura’s for her but use what you like(you will need to change the polarity for the below build.
1.molecular Prime is the only ability you need unless you are in a rush type misssion in which case you will need to sacrifice a mod to bring it along.
2. vigor
3. Redirection
4 Streamline or Fleeting Expertise
5 Flow
6Rage
7Quick Thinking

Rage and quick thinking are a must since you are soo squishy, these along with Sentinal
Coolant Leak, Guardian, Sanctuary, Sacrifice(if lucky enough to have it)

The last one is up to you but these are a few I would suggest depending on mission or goal.
8Blind Rage or Intensify
If using streamline go for intensify if using fleeting expertise use blind rage

Reply
- Aracnod permalink
  
  June 25, 2014 12:08 pm
  
  aura-energy syphon or what ever you want may have to change polarity to make this work.
  forma 5 times (if you plan on maxing all mods)
  polaritys
  use the 2 Attack and one power that comes standard,
  you will need to change 3 powers obviously.
  use 3 Def and 2 Tactical polaritys.
  
  MODS
  1. Molecular Prime
  2.Flow
  3Streamline
  4Rage
  5Quick Thinking
  6Vigor
  7Redirection
  8Equilibrium/Alt
  9Blind Rage/Intensity
  10Fleeting Expertise/Alt
  
  Alt. Worm Hole,Intensity,Constitution,Fortitude, Fast Deflection,Stretch
  
  Blind rage, Fleeting Expertise, Equilibrium would be the mods I change out if wanting to use other mods. For survivability I would never Change Redirection,Vigor,Quick Thinking,Rage,Flow these mods go along way together in terms of making her harder to kill which is huge with how “squishy” she is.I also agree with the above about sentinal mods to that go a long way in her survivability, Guardian is a must.
  
  this is my build however I have not fully upgraded all the mods and am only 4 formas in and working on it.
  
  I also suggest a quick primary weapon instead of something slow like a sniper or bow. this is because of the way molecular prime works. i use Latron Prime
  
  With this build I have out survived when the other three in party went down at the same time from Vor’s attacks on T4(several ocassions). And Was able to bring all three back without dieing myself. This was because of Guardian working, and rage and quick thinking with a large energy pool from Flow.
  
  If you have something better I would like to know.
  
  Reply
  - jamesoswald permalink*
    
    June 26, 2014 8:33 am
    
    These are both pretty badass. I was mostly thinking of unformaed builds.
Knuckledust permalink

November 19, 2015 2:15 pm

Great guide. I appreciate your practicality as well. Thanks.

Reply