Warframe is heading to uncharted territory in the Tau expansion, one of the game’s largest updates yet. Get ready for brand new gameplay elements, environments, and Warframe No. 67, Brysko, all coming at no cost to players!
This update features exciting new areas to explore, including the vibrant yet dark urban landscape of Fornax and the hostile wasteland of Perita. Expect additional content such as new syndicates, expanded mission types, and plenty of mysteries to uncover as you dive back into the game.
Before the update drops in December 2026, make sure you complete the Prologue to Tau Quest to jump straight into the action when it’s live. Curate your loadout and gather your friends because this update promises to reshape your experience in Warframe!
Digital Extremes has provided lots of details about this update. There will be two new areas to explore, new syndicate, new card game, updated Survival Missions and a totally unique detective Warframe named Brysko! However, several important details remain under wraps, particularly regarding the new mission types and progression systems.
Whether you’re coming back to Warframe or launching the moment it’s released, here’s Everything We Know About the Tau expansion.
- Tau Expansion Details
- Exploring the Tau System: A New Frontier Beyond Origin
- Fornax: A Sentient City Controlled by the Criminal Underworld
- Three interconnected hubs
- Portau: Fornax’s collectible card game
- Perita: A Wasteland Shaped by Feuding Clans
- Cleaving Glaive syndicate progression
- Revamped Survival missions
- Brisco: Abilities, Weapons, and How to Unlock Warframe No. 67
- Brisco’s Story and Sentient Origins
- Brisco’s Complete Ability Breakdown
- How to Get Brysko in Warframe: Tau
- New Mechanics, Damage Types, and Syndicates
- How to Prepare for Warframe: Tau Before Release
- Warframe Devstream 199: When Will We Learn More About Tau?
Feature Confirmed details Release window December 2026 Price Free update New star system Tau New Warframe Brysko, Warframe No. 67 New locations Fornax and Perita Story content Approximately 2–3 hours New syndicate Cleaving Glaive New game Portal card game New mission content Revamped Survival and additional mission types Preparation Complete the Prologue to Tau Quest
The Tau update will introduce to Warframe an entirely new area. Digital Extremes intend to develop both Origin and Tau at the same time with plenty of new content coming to Tau in future updates.
Here’s a quick overview of the confirmed launch content:
| Feature | Confirmed details |
|---|---|
| Release window | December 2026 |
| Price | Free update |
| New star system | Tau |
| New Warframe | Brysko, Warframe No. 67 |
| New locations | Fornax and Perita |
| Story content | Approximately 2–3 hours |
| New syndicate | Cleaving Glaive |
| New game | Portal card game |
| New mission content | Revamped Survival and additional mission types |
| Preparation | Complete the Prologue to Tau Quest |
You can also expect to see New Mechanics, hybrid Damage Types and new Syndicates. More details will be published in the future.
The Tau System is an evolving location that brings together both familiar and new gameplay experiences. The introduction of new mechanics like hybrid Damage Types and the Cleaving Glaive syndicate adds fresh layers to the gameplay structure. Players familiar with the past story arcs will recognize elements from the system, particularly for players who explored The Old Peace. Both Fornax and Perita stand as fresh, yet integral parts of the Warframe universe.
The Tau System is a far off system orbited by a binary star. It was meant to be a paradise for the Sentients but has fallen into ruin.
Anyone who has played the previous story content (The Old Peace) where you can see memories of this system, will recognize the areas. However, this system will now be playable.
The new star system will introduce two new areas to play. Fornax and Perita.
Origin won’t be replaced. Digital Extremes have confirmed that the old star system will still be playable.
The existing star chart will remain available, with the new system expanding the game’s universe rather than shifting its entire focus elsewhere.
Fornax: A Sentient City Controlled by the Criminal Underworld
Fornax is probably the most unique area that has been revealed. This area was built as a huge ring city for the Sentients to live in but has now turned into a huge metropolis run by organised crime.
It’s always raining in the city, giving it a dark, gloomy feeling. The Sentients have also become addicted to a drug called Bloom.
The first long look at Fornax was showcased during TennoCon.
Three interconnected hubs
There will be three interconnected hubs in Fornax. Only two have been properly shown.
The first area is Last Bloom Lounge. This is the nightclub from the initial showcase.
This is home to the Sentient singer from the reveal.
The second area is Manifold 90BF, revealed during Devstream 198. This area has two Sentients to interact with, Vyathan and Ikkilyst.
They have yet to reveal the third hub.
Portau: Fornax’s collectible card game
Portau is a card game introduced in Fornax, a card game that has an interesting connection to Brysko’s combat abilities.
The cards used are the same cards Brysko uses in his first ability. This means the card game isn’t simply an unrelated activity added to the city; it is directly connected to the identity and combat theme of the new Warframe. They have already announced a physical version of this card game.
Perita: A Wasteland Shaped by Feuding Clans
While Fornax focuses on the city aspect of Tau, Perita is definitely more hostile.This moon was previously seen in memories (Old Peace) but can now be played in. What was once a more prosperous environment has deteriorated into a wasteland inhabited by rival Dazana clans.
Each clan will have their own conflicts, customs and stories. One of the new characters is Catulast, a young boy and son of a clan chieftain.
He is linked to the Cleaving Glaive Syndicate. You will be able to develop a relationship with this Syndicate by playing activities.
Cleaving Glaive syndicate progression
Instead of just playing in a new area, Perita will introduce a Syndicate progression. Players earn standing with the syndicate by participating in missions across the moon.
As you progress, you’ll also uncover more about Perita’s history and the circumstances that shaped its current inhabitants. This will centre around the Cleaving Glaive.
As you progress, you will learn more about the history of Perita.
As it’s linked to the Dazana Clans it should play an important role.
Revamped Survival missions
Perita will also have an updated version of Survival. This will allow you to play in squads online.
Digital Extremes are planning to include around 6 missions in this area. More details will be provided on what missions will be included.
Brisco: Abilities, Weapons, and How to Unlock Warframe No. 67
One of the biggest additions to the game is Brysko, the 67th Warframe. Brysko is based around classic detective stories.
He has a noir theme, trench coat, fedora and gun. He also has a loyal robotic companion.
However, his most unique trait is how he speaks.
Brysko doesn’t speak. Instead, you can hear his thoughts through a voiceover by Matthew Mercer.
This creates an interesting middle ground between Warframes and Protoframes. Digital Extremes have admitted that this is a risk but it gives Brysko a personality that fits his detective theme.
Brisco’s Story and Sentient Origins
Brysko is heavily linked to Albrecht Entrati. He is their Operative in the Tau System.
Eventually he gets a mission from Entrati to go into Fornax. His goal is to get into the criminal underworld of the city, run by Hunra.
Brysko is officially a Chimera Warframe. This means his body is a mixture of Warframe and Sentient. This will also be reflected in his abilities.
Brisco’s Complete Ability Breakdown
The following abilities were shown during Devstream 198. Brysko is still being developed so damage, abilities and balancing may change.
Ability 1: Portau Cards
Bryskl’s first ability allows him to throw special Portau cards at enemies or surfaces. Once attached, the cards remain in place briefly before detonating, dealing damage and applying status effects. This gives the ability potential for both direct combat and area control, depending on how players use it.
Ability 2: Hound Deployment
Brysko sends his Hound into an area to control groups of enemies. The companion creates a zone that lifts nearby opponents and gradually draws them towards its position.
More importantly, damage dealt to one affected enemy is shared across the entire group. This makes the ability particularly interesting for builds focused on grouping enemies and dealing widespread damage.
Rather than attacking every target individually, you can concentrate your firepower on a single enemy while damaging the entire cluster.
Ability 3: Dirty Fighting
Brysko’s third ability is designed around aggressive combat and survivability. Activating it grants lifesteal to both Brisco and his Hound, alongside an additional buff.
However, there’s a significant drawback: maintaining the ability gradually drains Brisco’s own health. This introduces a risk-and-reward element to his kit.
You can benefit from improved sustain while fighting, but you’ll need to manage the health drain carefully. If the situation becomes too dangerous, holding the ability input allows you to deactivate it.
Ability 4: Corecracker
Brysko’s signature weapon is an Exalted revolver called Corecracker. The weapon has a special interaction with kills, generating pseudocores that explode and damage nearby enemies.
This adds another layer of area damage to his otherwise gunslinger-focused combat style. Its alternate fire is particularly fitting for the character, allowing Brysko to fan his revolver and unleash a rapid spread of shots, much like a traditional Western gunslinger.
Additional Weapons: Rain and Shine
Brysko also has two fist weapons called Rain & Shine. Digital Extremes haven’t given much detail on the mechanics but they do show how versatile Brysko is as a detective.
Passive Ability: Take Control of the Hound
The most interesting part of Brysko’s kit is his Passive Ability. When you get knocked down, you won’t lose control of Brysko.
Instead, you will be able to take control of his Hound for a short time. While you have control of the Hound, you will be able to search for and collect Sentient Core Fragments.
This will allow Brysko to come back into the fight. This is an interesting decision as the Hound is a core part of Brysko.
You will essentially have two characters to control.
How to Get Brysko in Warframe: Tau
Digital Extremes have confirmed that you can obtain Brysko in two ways. You can earn him by playing the game or purchasing him from the Market.
You can also find a Brysko specific Prex card. However, it will take some detective work to find it as it fits the theme of the Warframe.
New Mechanics, Damage Types, and Syndicates
Digital Extremes have hinted that there will be some big changes to gameplay. New Mechanics, new Syndicates and new hybrid Damage Types. Pablo Alonso (Design Director) spoke about some of the new additions during the presentation but Digital Extremes have not given full details on how they will impact your builds.
The new hybrid Damage Types will be interesting to watch. This could impact how you tackle enemy resistances, weapon choices and Warframe builds.
The new Syndicates mean there will be a progression system in place for Tau. Don’t assume anything until Digital Extremes provide more details.
How to Prepare for Warframe: Tau Before Release
If you want to jump straight into the new story content when it drops, you will need to Complete the Prologue to Tau Quest.
Digital Extremes have confirmed that you will need to complete this prologue to get straight into the new story. The quests were added in October so if you’ve been away from the game, check your codex to see if you have anything to complete.
You don’t need to do anything to prepare for a new game. It is being added to Origin so the only thing you need to do is complete the prologue.
Warframe Devstream 199: When Will We Learn More About Tau?
Digital Extremes’ plans to expand the Tau System over time show their commitment to continuous growth in Warframe. Expect to learn more during Devstream 199 on November 27, 2026, where updates on new modes and exploration mechanics will be revealed!
They have confirmed they will be talking about the new game modes in Tau, Portal, Last Bloom Lounge and more details. If you’re interested in the mechanics of the expansion, this should be a very important stream. The new missions and game modes will give you an idea of what exploring Tau will be like.
Until then, Brysko’s incomplete abilities and the hidden part of Fornax will be two of the biggest mysteries.
The Tau update is an incredible milestone for Warframe. For over a decade, the game has been set in the Origin System.
All of the areas, Syndicates and conflicts have been based around this system. Now, Digital Extremes are expanding the universe.
This new system will have a completely new star system, environments and story. It shows how the Sentients’ original aspirations have gone wrong.
The most important thing to remember is that this isn’t a one off area. They plan to expand this system so the December release will be the start of something new.
The only thing you need to do to prepare is complete the Prologue to Tau Quest. Everything else will be clearer during Devstream 199 on the 27th November.
After 13 years of exploring one star system, this could change the future of Warframe. Stay with us as we cover more of this era of Warframe.
The Tau expansion is a notable milestone in Warframe’s evolution, shifting away from the Origin System that’s dominated for over a decade. Digital Extremes aims to give these new areas depth with stories tied to their landscapes, making this expansion more than just a superficial addition.
The only preparation needed for players is to complete the Prologue to Tau Quest, ensuring you’re set for the new content when it launches. Keep an eye on the updates to maximize your Warframe experience!
For more insights on Warframe and other video games, be on the lookout for helpful walkthroughs and tips. Stay engaged, and we’ll continue to cover updates and strategies as the Tau expansion unfolds!