Warframe's next update is giving its most infamous weapon a second chance, as the Stug is set to receive an Incarnon Adapter. Unlocked after completing the Angels of the Zariman quest, Incarnons are modular weapons that can transform mid-combat. Warframe also uses Incarnon Genesis adapters for older weapons, transforming previously overlooked weapons into viable options for current content.
One weapon overdue for an upgrade is the Stug, a Grineer pistol that has long been considered the worst weapon in Warframe. Aside from its overall low stats, the secondary fires flow, sticky projectiles that explode after a small delay, often interrupting and knocking down the player. The gun was even in a worse state before, when explosions were able to cause self-damage to the player. However, Incarnons, like the Thalys in Warframe, make up the bulk of the best weapons in the game, so this marks a huge upgrade.
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Warframe Is Finally Giving the Stug an Incarnon Adapter
In the overview for Devstream 195 discussing the upcoming Jade Shadows: Constellation update, developers Digital Extremes confirmed that the Stug will be one of the several weapons receiving an Incarnon adapter. The Ballistica, Destreza, Obex, and Vectis will also be given this useful upgrade. The newest batch of Incarnons were first announced in March 2026 during Devstream 194, but it was only confirmed to be part of the Warframe's next major update with the recent blog post.
Early details surrounding the Stug's Incarnon form were shown during Warframe's 100th Dev Short. The developers showcased their private build of the game, revealing that the Stug's alternate form shoots goo balls that explode into smaller balls, which also have their own explosions like a Cluster Bomb. Warframe's creative director, Rebb Ford, hopes that "the behavior of the Stug is just dialed up to 11," by taking its most infamous quality and making it the central gimmick of its alternate mode. With even more explosions scattered during missions, players can pair the Stug with flying Warframes like Uriel to avoid the chaos.
Following the announcement, the Stug has also seen a noticeable spike in demand within the player-driven economy. The popular Warframe Market website is a third-party platform players can use to buy, sell, and trade in-game items. The Riven prices for the Stug have skyrocketed in anticipation of its potential, going from an average of 10 Platinum (the game's premium tradable currency) all the way to 200 Platinum on the low end, reaching even higher with better stat rolls. While it's common for the next Incarnon weapons to drive up the price of their Rivens and Prime Parts, the Stug's special status as a long-time community meme added more monetary value than usual.
The addition of the Stug Incarnon is an exciting development, as it finally gives players a good reason to use the gun outside of fodder for Mastery Rank. However, it also cements the broader role of Incarnon upgrades in Warframe's weapon design. Rather than reworking weapons from scratch, Digital Extremes would rather slap an underperforming weapon with an Incarnon adapter and change its core concept. Warframe's Kuva and Tenet Weapons are a better way of keeping legacy content relevant, while still keeping the power creep under control.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 73/100 Critics Rec: 54%
- Released
- March 25, 2013
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Language, Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Digital Extremes
- Publisher(s)
- Digital Extremes
WHERE TO PLAY
Confront warring factions throughout a sprawling interplanetary system as you follow the guidance of the mysterious Lotus and level up your Warframe, build an Arsenal of destructive firepower, and realize your true potential across massive open worlds in this thrilling, genre-defining third-person combat experience.
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DISCOVER AN EPIC STORY: Marvel at the sweeping history of the Origin System as you experience Warframe’s massive cinematic narrative spanning 5 separate expansions and 30+ story-based Quests. Discover the power within and experience your first taste of invincibility with one of three original Warframes before you begin your journey, develop your skills and seek out the truth behind your awakening.
MASTER YOUR ARSENAL: Your starter Weapons are just the beginning. Craft hundreds of destructive armaments, plus vehicles, Companions and more. Level them up and experiment until you find the right combination of gear that suits your unique playstyle. Fashion your weaponry for a fearsome look to compliment your custom-designed loadout.
CUSTOMIZE ENDLESSLY: Entering the Origin System means joining legions of friendly Tenno, each with their own personalized Warframes, Weapons and gear. With a staggering number of Customization options available to enhance your Loadout, designing the perfect look for your Warframe makes for an endlessly rewarding challenge for you and your Squad.
