Warframe Arcane Adapters unlock Arcane slots on weapons, including Primary, Secondary, Melee, Amps and Archguns. Each Adapter works on a particular equipment category, so you can’t use the wrong kind to open a slot.
The October 31 Twitch Drop includes Primary, Secondary, Melee and Amp Adapters. Archgun Adapters are a fifth type available through normal gameplay. The table below shows exactly which vendor or activity supplies each, followed by installation steps.
Warframe Arcane Adapters: Every type and source
| Adapter | Acquisition | Slot |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Teshin: 15 Steel Essence; Acrithis: 25 Pathos Clamps; Market | Primary weapon |
| Secondary | Teshin: 15 Steel Essence; Acrithis: 25 Pathos Clamps; Market | Secondary weapon |
| Melee | Bird 3: 50,000 Cavia Standing at Rank 3; Netracells; Deep Archimedea; Market | Melee weapon |
| Amp | Cavalero: 20,000 Holdfasts Standing at Rank 5 | Second Amp slot |
| Archgun | Deepmines Bounties; Nightcap: 80 Fergolyte at Rank 3; Market | One Archgun slot |
The Warframe Arcane Adapters in the October 31 reward pool are Primary, Secondary, Melee and Amp. The newer Archgun version is not among the announced ten Twitch rewards.
Where to get Primary and Secondary Arcane Adapters
Complete the requirements to access The Steel Path, then visit Teshin to spend 15 Steel Essence on a Primary or Secondary Adapter. You can earn Steel Essence through Steel Path missions and Acolytes.
Acrithis can also sell either Adapter for 25 Pathos Clamps, earned by defeating the Orowyrm in Duviri. Her wares rotate, so check whether the Adapter you want appears in the current selection. Both types are also available in the Market for Platinum.
Primary and Secondary Arcane slots become visible when you’ve unlocked The Steel Path. A Primary Adapter opens the slot on one Primary weapon; a Secondary Adapter does the same for one Secondary. You still need a compatible Arcane to equip afterward.
Warframe Arcane Adapters: How to get the Melee version
The Melee Arcane system unlocks through Whispers in the Walls, which awards the Melee Upgrade Segment. After reaching Cavia Rank 3: Colleague, buy the Melee Adapter from Bird 3 for 50,000 Standing.
Netracells and Deep Archimedea can also reward Melee Adapters. Alternatively, the Market sells them once you have the relevant quest access. Primary and Secondary Adapters cannot open this Melee slot.
How to unlock the second Amp Arcane slot
Complete Angels of the Zariman and rank up the Holdfasts to Rank 5: Angel. Cavalero sells an Amp Arcane Adapter for 20,000 Standing. Open Operator Equipment, select your Amp, and apply the Adapter to its locked second slot.
An Amp already has its first Arcane slot, so the Adapter opens the second. This is why Warframe Arcane Adapters for Amps aren’t interchangeable with ones for regular weapons.
How to get and use Archgun Arcane Adapters
Digital Extremes added Archgun Adapters with The Vallis Undermind. Finish Deepmines Bounties for a chance to earn one, or trade 80 Fergolyte to Nightcap after reaching Rank 3: Seeker with him. The Market also sells them.
Each Archgun has two locked Arcane slots: one for Primary Arcanes and one for Secondary Arcanes. One Archgun Arcane Adapter unlocks one slot, so opening both takes two Adapters.
Warframe Arcane Adapters: How to install them
Open the Arsenal and choose the weapon, then select Upgrade → locked Arcane slot. Confirm use of the matching Adapter. For Amps, open Operator Equipment instead and select the Amp’s second locked Arcane slot.
The Adapter is consumed and unlocks the slot on that weapon only. It won’t automatically upgrade every gun, Amp or melee weapon you own. Install Warframe Arcane Adapters on equipment you plan to keep using.
The October 31 stream begins at 4 PM GMT and can reward one of four Adapter types, but it might instead award Forma, Vosfor or a Cipher. Our Twitch Drops guide lists all ten possible results.
Official source: Digital Extremes, Update 40, The Vallis Undermind
