Digital Extremes is introducing Tauron Strikes, a set of powerful ultimate abilities, in the upcoming Warframe update The Old Peace, launching on December 10. These cinematic attacks draw inspiration from anime series like Dragon Ball Z and Final Fantasy, offering players new ways to express their focus school traits. Game director Rebecca Ford discussed the development process in a recent interview.
Update Overview
The Old Peace update marks a significant evolution for Warframe, the long-running sci-fi action MMORPG. Set to release on December 10, it includes narrative developments, new weapons, romance options, and the standout Tauron Strikes. These ultimates are tied to Tetkolyst artifacts, providing signature attacks for each of the game's six focus schools. One example, revealed at Tennocon earlier this year, features a giant sword for the melee-focused Naramon school.
Inspirations and Design
Rebecca Ford explained that the concept originated in February, aiming for anime-inspired culminations of focus school abilities. "It's like a balsamic glaze reduction, you just boil something down until it's this sickly sweet or sour version of itself," Ford said, describing the concentrated combat essence.
Specific influences include Dragon Ball Z's Kamehameha for Zenurik's energy beam, channeled through a tome reminiscent of Nier: Replicant's Grimoire Weiss. Vazarin's healing staff draws from Frieren, while a hammer and bow-and-arrow complete the arsenal. Poses echo JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, blending with Final Fantasy elements for dramatic flair.
Gameplay Integration
These abilities feature a six-second cast time, balancing spectacle with Warframe's fast-paced action—no longer animation-locking players as in older mechanics like Ash's Bladestorm. Cooldowns, set at five minutes, encourage strategic use, particularly in the 12-minute War mode. Ford noted, "It's truly like casting an 'ultimate' - it's something we've never done this aggressively in Warframe."
Balancing for Conclave PvP remains unconfirmed, but future content will account for these power spikes through extended cooldowns. The narrative ties them to legendary relic weapons, inspired by Excalibur myths, fostering player attachment similar to iconic Final Fantasy blades.
Warframe is available on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile, with a Switch 2 port planned for next year.