Despite having launched on PC and the PlayStation 4 in 2013, Xbox One in 2014, and the Nintendo Switch in late 2018, Warframe is still a popular game.
Of course, being free-to-play will always make Warframe appealing, but the continued expansions have certainly helped to grow the player base.
The live service creation has certainly improved since its relatively tepid launch, with many players now getting into the game across all consoles.
So, here are the controls that you need to know to play Warframe on the consoles.
In this Warframe controls guide, the analogues on either controller are denoted as (L) and (R), with the buttons on the D-pad listed as Up, Right, Down, and Left. Pressing the analogue down to trigger the analogue button is marked as L3 or R3.
Warframe Basic PS4, Xbox One & Switch Controls
These are the basic controls for Warframe on the default set-up for each console controller. You can change the controller set-up within the game’s menu.
By pressing Options, Menu, or +, depending on your console, you can then go into the Options part of the menu, and then the first selection under the Controls section is Customise Controls.
Here, you can press X, A, or B, depending on your console, to select each action and reassign it to a different button
| Action | PS4 Controls | Xbox One Controls | Switch Controls |
| Camera | (R) | (R) | (R) |
| Move | (L) | (L) | (L) |
| Sprint | L3 | L3 | L3 |
| Secondary Fire | R3 | R3 | R3 |
| Heavy Melee | R3 | R3 | R3 |
| Switch Weapon | Triangle | Y | X |
| Melee Attack | O | B | A |
| Jump | X | A | B |
| Move Up | X | A | B |
| Context Action | Square | X | Y |
| Consumables | Down | Down | Down |
| Inspect | Right | N/A | Left |
| Reset Camera | N/A | N/A | Right |
| Place Marker | Left | Up | Up |
| Captura Camera | Left | Up | Up |
| Crouch | L1 (standing) | LB (standing) | L (standing) |
| Slide | L1 (running) | LB (running) | L (running) |
| Roll | L1 (walking) | LB (walking) | L (walking) |
| Move Down | L1 | LB | L |
| Dodge | L1 | LB | L |
| Blink | L1 | LB | L |
| Ability Menu | R1 | RB | R |
| Aim Weapon | L2 | LT | ZL |
| Fire Weapon | R2 | RT | ZR |
| Show Level Map | Up | View | – |
| Pause | Options | Menu | + |
| Ability A | Touch Pad (swipe up) | N/A | N/A |
| Ability B | Touch Pad (swipe down) | N/A | N/A |
| Ability C | Touch Pad (swipe left) | N/A | N/A |
| Ability D | Touch Pad (swipe right) | N/A | N/A |
| Focus and Transference | Touch Pad (press) | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Power Left | N/A | Left | N/A |
| Cycle Power Right | N/A | Right | N/A |
Warframe Ability Menu Controls
Once you’ve opened the Ability Menu (which you can see in the bottom right corner of the screen), you can then use the abilities that your Warframe has learned.
It works as a combination control, so you have to press or hold R1, RB, or R, depending on your console, and then the ability’s assigned button.
| Action | PS4 Controls | Xbox One Controls | Switch Controls |
| Ability Menu | R1 | RB | R |
| Focus and Transference | L1 | LB | L |
| Toggle Tactical Menu | Left | Left | Left |
| Ability A | X | A | B |
| Ability B | Square | X | Y |
| Ability C | O | B | A |
| Ability D | Triangle | Y | X |
Warframe Placement Controls
In your dojo, you can adjust the aesthetics by placing new decorations using the following Warframe controls:
| Action | PS4 Controls | Xbox One Controls | Switch Controls |
| Move | (L) | (L) | (L) |
| Look | (R) | (R) | (R) |
| Place Decoration | R3 | R3 | R3 |
| Modify Decoration | L3 | L3 | L3 |
| Place Another | L3 | L3 | L3 |
| Exit | O | B | A |
| Descend | X | A | B |
| Confirm | Square | X | Y |
| Surface Snapping | Triangle | Y | X |
| Free Placement | Triangle | Y | X |
| Cycle Grid Snapping | Right | Right | Right |
| Scale Down | Down | Down | Down |
| Hold to Scale | Left | Left | Left |
| Scale Up | Up | Up | Up |
| Ascend | L1 | LB | L |
| Billboard Facing | R1 | RB | R |
| Change Rotation Axis | R1 | RB | R |
| Rotate Decoration | L2 | LT | ZL |
| Push/Pull Decoration | R2 | RT | ZR |
Warframe Railjack Controls
Once you’ve got your hands on the Railjack, these are the Warframe controls that you’ll need to know.
| Action | PS4 Controls | Xbox One Controls | Switch Controls |
| Move | (L) | (L) | (L) |
| Look | (R) | (R) | (R) |
| Boost | L3 | L3 | L3 |
| Ordnance | R3 | R3 | R3 |
| Dismount | O | B | A |
| Move Up | X | A | B |
| Toggle Railjack Camera | Up | Up | Up |
| Reset Motion Controls | N/A | N/A | Right |
| Ability Menu | R1 | RB | R |
| Move Down | L1 | LB | L |
| Dodge | L1 | LB | L |
| Blink | L1 | LB | L |
| Aim Weapon | L2 | LT | ZL |
| Primary Fire | R2 | RT | ZR |
Warframe Frame Fighter Controls
Fancy competing in some classic one-vs-one fighter gaming but with your Warframe of choice? You’ll need to know these Warframe controls to dominate in Frame Fighter.
For the classic fighter feel and optimum use of the movement-combo controls, it’s best to use the D-pad as opposed to the left analogue.
| Action | PS4 Controls | Xbox One Controls | Switch Controls |
| Move | (L) | (L) | (L) |
| Move Left | Left | Left | Left |
| Move Right | Right | Right | Right |
| Jump | Up | Up | Up |
| Crouch | Down | Down | Down |
| Grab | O | B | A |
| Block | X | A | B |
| Light Attack | Square | X | Y |
| Medium Attack | Triangle | Y | X |
| Heavy Attack | R1 | RB | R |
| Special | R2 | RT | ZR |
| Pause | Options | Menu | + |
Warframe Lunaro Controls
These are the controls that you need to know to play the ancient Tenno sport of Lunaro.
| Action | PS4 Controls | Xbox One Controls | Switch Controls |
| Move | (L) | (L) | (L) |
| Sprint | L3 | L3 | L3 |
| Look | (R) | (R) | (R) |
| Check | O | B | A |
| Jump | X | A | B |
| Context Action | Square | X | Y |
| Consumables | Down | Down | Down |
| Place Marker | Left | Up | Up |
| Captura Camera | Left | Up | Up |
| Crouch | L1 (standing) | LB (standing) | L (standing) |
| Slide | L1 (running) | LB (running) | L (running) |
| Roll | L1 (walking) | LB (walking) | L (walking) |
| Pass | R1 | RB | R |
| Ball Magnet | L2 | LT | ZL |
| Throw | R2 | RT | ZR |
| Pause | Options | Menu | + |
Warframe Shawzin Controls
Should you want to play the instrument Shawzin in Warframe, these are the controls that you’ll need to know.
| Action | PS4 Controls | Xbox One Controls | Switch Controls |
| 1st String | Square | X | Y |
| 2nd String | X | A | B |
| 3rd String | O | B | A |
| Whammy | (L) | (L) | (L) |
| Scale | L3 | L3 | L3 |
| Earth Fret | R1 | RB | R |
| Sky Fret | L1 | LB | L |
| Water Fret | R2 | RT | ZR |
| Chat | L2 | LT | ZL |
| Songs | Up | Up | Up |
| Change Instrument | Left | Left | Left |
| Exit | Options | Menu | + |
There’s a lot to try out in Warframe, and with all of these base controls, you should be able to get a strong grasp on the game.
If any of the buttons feel unnatural to use, you can change the controls set-ups from these defaults in the Options menu of Warframe.
