The Vinquibus stands out as Warframe's first dual-slot weapon, occupying both primary and melee slots with its innovative rifle-bayonet design. While not the most powerful armament in the game, it offers a thrilling blend of ranged and close-quarters combat, proving effective against formidable foes like Steel Path enemies. Players find it immensely fun to wield, thanks to its self-sustaining mechanics that encourage fluid switching between shooting and stabbing. As of 2025, this weapon remains a popular choice for those seeking versatility in high-stakes missions, with its unique passives and build options keeping it relevant in the ever-evolving meta.

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How to Obtain the Vinquibus

Acquiring the Vinquibus involves engaging in specific in-game activities, primarily through the Descendia mission. Players can access this mission via the Dark Refractory after completing The Old Peace quest. Alternatively, they may visit Roathe in Sanctum Anatomica's La Cathedrale to purchase Vinquibus parts directly using Maphica, a resource earned during Descendia runs. Components for the weapon drop reliably after finishing the 21st Infernum, making it a rewarding grind for dedicated Tenno. This dual-path approach ensures accessibility, whether through combat or trading, reflecting Warframe's player-friendly design in 2025.

The Harrowing Spire Stance Mod

Much like the weapon itself, the Harrowing Spire stance mod is a key drop during Descendia missions. Players have a chance to obtain it by completing an Infernum or breaking containers within these runs, with additional opportunities to snag components for Uriel. This stance excels at crowd control, featuring guaranteed knockback effects in its heavy attack and both standing and running block combos. Crucially, any combo move that fires the rifle portion counts as melee damage, enhancing synergy. For those building around aerial assaults, Harrowing Spire is indispensable.

Dual Passives of the Vinquibus

As a combo weapon, the Vinquibus boasts two unique passives that create a self-sustaining loop. Vinquibus Precision (Primary) grants +250% Melee Damage for the next two melee attacks after a headshot, stacking up to 16 attacks. Conversely, Vinquibus Ferocity (Melee) provides 100% Rifle Ammo Efficiency for the next four shots after a melee kill, stacking to 16 shots. These passives encourage constant switching between modes: rifle shots fuel melee prowess, and melee kills replenish ammo. It's a dynamic system that rewards precision and aggression, making the weapon feel alive in battle.

Best Builds for the Vinquibus

With a solid 40% base crit chance and 20% status chance across both forms, the Vinquibus shines in various setups. Players can opt for crit-heavy or status-focused builds, leveraging its high potential for red crits. Below is a comparison of top builds as of 2025:

Build Type Key Mods Best For Damage Output
Acuity Build Critical Delay, Primary Acuity, Semi-Rifle Cannonade Precision headshots High-tier red crits 💥
Multishot Build Split Chamber, Serration, Shred Convenience and ease Moderate but consistent ⚔️
Budget Build Serration, Point Strike, Vital Sense Newer players Star Chart viability
  • Acuity Build: This setup maximizes headshot damage, ideal for frames like Oraxia or Frost with crowd control. It hits hard but demands accuracy. Critical Delay boosts crit chance without slowing fire rate thanks to Semi-Rifle Cannonade.

  • Multishot Build: Designed for spam-firing, it sacrifices peak damage for reliability. Just aim and shoot; no need for constant headshots. It's perfect for chaotic battles.

  • Budget Build: For newcomers lacking advanced mods, use Serration, Point Strike or Argon Scope, Vital Sense, Split Chamber, Shred, and elemental mods. This serves as a starter version of the Multishot build.

Advanced Build Options

Beyond the basics, the Vinquibus excels in specialized configurations. For crit-heavy approaches, pair it with melee-centric frames like Kullervo or Valkyr. Arcane choices include:

  • Melee Afflictions: Exploits innate knockback procs to stack status effects on afflicted enemies.

  • Melee Exposure: Adds Corrosive Damage after ability casts, best with caster frames like Uriel or Volt.

Status-focused builds are viable but slower due to the weapon's lower status chance. Melee Duplicate helps by striking twice on regular crits (yellow numbers), potentially inflicting two status effects per hit. Alternatively, swap to Melee Influence with Electricity mods for area-of-effect zapping, though ramp-up is gradual. Without Galvanized mods, stick to crit or damage boosters like Pressure Point and True Steel, but note that Steel Path scaling suffers without them. This flexibility ensures the Vinquibus adapts to diverse playstyles in 2025.

Conclusion

The Vinquibus remains a standout weapon in Warframe for its innovative design and engaging gameplay loop. Its dual passives and versatile builds make it a rewarding choice for both veterans and newcomers, holding its own in endgame content like Steel Path. As the meta evolves, this rifle-bayonet combo continues to offer fresh challenges and fun, cementing its place in the arsenal of discerning Tenno.