Polarity

Most equipment slots generally accept any mod. However, some slots are “polarized.” Each type of Polarization has a unique associated symbol. Polarities include:


 * Attack - - V (Damage, Powers) - Commonly dropped by Grineer
 * Defense - - D (Defensive, Health, Armor, Stamina)- Dropped by all factions
 * Tactic - - Bar (Misc.) - Commonly dropped by Corpus
 * Power - - Scratch (Warframe Abilities) - Commonly dropped by Infested
 * Precept - - Y (Sentinel Abilities) - Dropped by all factions

Some mods can be polarized and the type is noted in the top right corner of the card. When a polarized mod is placed into a like polarized slot, the cost of slotting the mod will be reduced by 50%. In contrast to placing them into a like spot, if a polarized mod is placed into a slot with a different polarization, the cost will increase by 25%. This number is always rounded to the closest integer.

Overall the polarity slots for each Warframe vary quite a bit from one another. This makes certain types of mod builds more efficient on certain frames.

Since Update 8, a new mechanic based on mod polarity has been introduced. Players can use Forma, a rare reward from Void missions or purchasable from the Market for Platinum in various quantities, to add a polarity slot to any equipment that has attained rank 30, increasing the overall strength of mod builds possible on a weapon. However, using Forma to add a polarity slot will reset the equipment's rank to zero, requiring the equipment to be leveled up again.

Currently, there appears to be no cap on the number of times a weapon may be 'polarized' or what polarizations are possible (on a weapon with ten blank slots, you could polarize it ten times with the same polarity if you so wish) though good judgement on how you wish to build a weapon undoubtedly means variety will serve most Tenno well.