The New War
The Tenno rise to challenge Ballas and the Sentients, reclaiming their destiny from the betrayer of the Orokin.
The New War is a pivotal narrative arc and live-service event that marks the culmination of the decade-long conflict between the Tenno and the Sentients, led by the former Orokin Executor Ballas. This storyline serves as the direct sequel to the 'Prelude to War' quests and the 'Erra' cinematic, shifting the focus from the distant Void to a desperate struggle for survival within the Origin System itself. Ballas, having survived the fall of the Orokin Empire by betraying them to the Sentients, now commands the Sentient forces against the Origin System. The primary antagonist is Ballas and the Sentients, not the Man in the Wall, who appears only briefly at the end. This arc forces the Tenno to confront their own origins and the true nature of their power, representing a turning point where the Tenno must choose between being guardians or becoming something entirely new.
- Primary Antagonist
- Ballas and the Sentients
- Key Ally
- The Lotus (freed during the quest, returns as an ally during the final battle)
- Faction Introduced
- None (the Perrin Sequence is a pre-existing Syndicate, not introduced here)
- Setting
- Origin System and The Void
- Narrative Predecessor
- Prelude to War quests and the Erra cinematic
- Status
- Concluded Arc
Lore & Background
Following the revelation that the Lotus is Natah, a Sentient mimic who was originally sent to destroy the Tenno but instead became their guide, the Tenno discovered that Ballas had manipulated events for centuries. As an Orokin Executor who survived the fall of their empire by allying with the Sentients, Ballas sought to destroy the Origin System and reshape existence according to his own twisted vision. He utilized the Sentients, not the Perrin Sequence (a pre-existing merchant syndicate focused on peaceful commerce, not scholars of the Void), to execute his plan. The conflict escalated as Ballas began corrupting the system's infrastructure, building upon events that had already unfolded prior to this arc. The Tenno were forced to navigate a fractured reality where the boundaries between the physical world and the Void blurred. This arc stripped away the illusion that the Tenno were merely tools for the Lotus, revealing them as the true architects of their fate, capable of challenging even the oldest powers in the universe.
In Their Own Story
The sky above the Origin System bled a sickly violet as Ballas's influence permeated the air. In the silence between heartbeats, the Tenno felt the weight of a thousand years of manipulation pressing down on their shoulders. The Lotus stood before them, no longer a distant voice but a tangible presence, her eyes reflecting the chaos of the Void. 'He thinks he can rewrite us,' she whispered, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and resolve. 'But we are not just his tools anymore.' As the shadows of the Perrin Sequence lengthened across the battlefield, the Tenno raised their weapons, ready to tear down the old world to build something new.
Reader's Guide
The arc begins with the Tenno investigating Ballas's movements after his betrayal is revealed. They must infiltrate the Perrin Sequence's operations and uncover the extent of his alliance with The Man in the Wall. Key battles take place across various nodes, including the haunting landscapes of the Void and the corrupted sectors of the Origin System. Players face off against new enemies like the Perigee and the Corrupted Archimedian forces. The climax involves a direct confrontation with Ballas himself, where the Tenno must break his connection to The Man in the Wall. This leads to a final showdown that determines the fate of the system and the future of the Tenno. Upon completion, the narrative shifts permanently, establishing new relationships between factions and opening up fresh storylines centered on the consequences of this war.
Did You Know?
- Ballas was an Orokin Executor who survived the fall of their empire by betraying the Orokin to the Sentients and being preserved by them, not by merging with the Man in the Wall.
- The Perrin Sequence is a pre-existing Syndicate introduced much earlier, a merchant syndicate focused on peaceful commerce, not a group of scholars devoted to the Void's darker aspects.
- This arc revealed that the Lotus is Natah, a Sentient mimic, not an Orokin AI or a fragment of the Conclave's AI.
- The New War introduced new gameplay mechanics and story elements that redefined the Tenno's role in the universe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The New War in Warframe?
The New War is a major story arc that picks up directly after the Sacrifice quest, moving the battlefield from the Void into the Origin System. It represents the culmination of a decade-long struggle involving the Tenno, lingering Orokin forces, and The Man in the Wall.
Who is the main villain in The New War?
Ballas, a former Orokin Archimedian, serves as the arc's primary antagonist by throwing his lot in with The Man in the Wall. He directs the newly formed Perrin Sequence to carry out his plans across the Origin System.
What is the Perrin Sequence?
The Perrin Sequence is a faction introduced during The New War, operating as Ballas's operative force. They are the on-the-ground threat the Tenno must confront while trying to secure the Origin System.
How does The New War's storyline end?
The arc concludes with the Tenno rising to directly challenge The Man in the Wall and wrest their destiny back from Ballas. The Lotus, reclaimed as an ally, plays a central role in that final confrontation.
Why is The New War significant in Warframe's overall narrative?
It closes out the long-running conflict thread that tied together the Tenno, the Orokin remnants, and The Man in the Wall. As a concluded arc, it resets the story's direction and establishes the stage for whatever comes next in the Tenno's journey.
More in Quests & Major Events
Elsewhere in the Warframe universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record