Warframe - How to get an Orokin Cipher

Orokin Cipher is a new resource introduced in Update 14: The Mad Cephalon. This resource is a component to build the Hidden Message to start the Hidden Message side-quest, and it is how you can search and build you very own Mirage (more details and step-by-step images here).

This guide will go into detail on how you can get the Orokin Cipher.

Getting prepared

1. Choose your Dragon Key(s):

Orokin Ciphers are hidden inside the Vaults of Orokin Derelict maps. Not all Orokin Derelict maps have Vaults - Exterminate, Capture, Survival and Assassinate have them but Orokin Derelict Defence doesn't. Vaults are usually hidden quite well, and has to be unlocked by a key that you bring in your item slots.

There are 4 types of keys (called Dragon Key), and the Vault will need in random one of the 4, so to ensure that the Vault can be opened, have your squadmates bring different keys. The keys are built with a minor amount of easily found resources, a Void key (any kind), and a market-bought blueprint. Once the blueprint is bought, there is no need to buy it again. 

Each key has a debilitating effect when it is equipped, so it is best that the Arsenal be changed to suit the Key, or the Key is built to suit the current Arsenal.

Bleeding: -75% Health. Bring this key with Rhino (using Iron Skin and a focus on Shield value) is a good option.

Decaying: -75% Shield. Bring this key with a Warframe with little need for Shield from the start and high armour (Rhino with Iron Skin, Valkyr, etc.)

Extinguished: - 75% Damage. Bring this key with a high burst Warframe and a powerful weapon to offset the DPS drop (Nova with a strong weapon, Volt, etc.)

Hobbled: -50% Speed. Bring this key with a high-speed Warframe, buffed with some speed mods (Zephyr would feel almost no slowdown with her flight abilities, Nova or Loki could be more newbie-friendly alternatives)

2. Build your Dragon Key(s):

Buy the Dragon Key blueprint in Component tab, Gear section. Each blueprint need only bought once.

Build the Dragon Key in your Foundry, under Key tab.

To equip your newly-forged Key, go to Foundry, open the Consumable tab, click on an empty slot...

...choose the key you want to bring with you (remember its effects!), and click equip...

Should you have more than one and do not want to be disadvantaged in normal missions, click on the key and equip "None" to unequip it and return to normal stats. Switch the keys in the same way, once you're done, you're ready to go.

3. Get your Orokin Derelict Key (optional):

For the sake of completeness, here's how to get an Orokin Derelict Key. While it is optional (not all members need to have an Orokin Derelict Key, only the squad leader does), this can be helpful if you want to be proactive and recruit people once you have got the gist of how Vault-opening is done. For your first time, you can build one to get people to help you, or tag along.

My experience is to fit your Arsenal around the Dragon Key of your choice, then get yourself an ODKey and ask people to bring the remaining keys that you don't want to have to deal with. People learn differently - maybe you want to learn by looking, maybe you want to by doing. This is for the headstrong types.

Buy the blueprint off the market, and build it - it's the same process as that of the Dragon Key. No equipping is needed, however, once the building is done, you'll have a new place called "Derelict" to explore in your NAV map.

The best ODKey to build in my opinion is Orokin Derelict Exterminate for its linear, no-pressure feel once you've killed everything, since there is time to wander about safely then. It is also far simpler to kill off a set quota than chasing about the map for something.

Delve into battle

As mentioned, there are two ways to start going for the Vaults (A.K.A having a "Vault run"). 

Method 1 - get in touch with people who are like minded by asking to join their squad (click on image for full size).

Press "T" to bring up the chat interface, go to "Recruiting" tab,and look for guys that are "hosting Vault runs". To whisper to them and get them to add you, use the syntax: "/w (username) (message)". Shown is an example.

Method 2 - host your own match and add people

Same way, only this time just say out loud what your want to do, what key you already have, and wait for people to reply.

Go to your NAV module, open Derelict missions (similar to how you open a planet to choose a map - you must be in here, otherwise you can't invite them to your session!). Right click on the username of the people who want to join your squad, invite them, then choose the mission. From then on it's business as usual.

Get your rewards

Doing Orokin Vaults, while a bit bothersome at first, is helpful in many ways. For one, it gives you the coveted Orokin Cipher (one is rewarded after the mission finished when a Vault is successfully opened). However, the Vault also gives you one powerful Corrupted mod each time it is opened, and the Derelict maps are also the only place that drop a special type of NAV Coordinates called "Golem NAV Coordinates", which is needed to build the Orokin Derelict Assassinate key and let you face the powerful Infested Boss of Update 10 - the Lephantis.

Get 5 runs if you want Mirage, and I'm sure you'll know to get more runs later on!

Click these links for my other Warframe posts:
* Warframe - Failed to Join Session (PC fix): (part 1) (part 2) (part 3)

* Warframe - How to Invite Friends (Update 14)

*Warframe - How to get a Kubrow (step-by-step with pictures)

*Warframe - How to get a Mirage Warframe (step-by-step with pictures)