Intact vs Radiant Relic Refinement: ROI Calculator & Break-Even Analysis
Warframe relic refinement presents one of the game's most critical economic decisions: investing Void Traces to increase rare Prime part drop rates, balanced against the opportunity cost of Void Traces farming time and alternative platinum acquisition methods. The four refinement tiers—Intact (0 traces, 2% rare rate), Exceptional (25 traces, 4% rare rate), Flawless (50 traces, 6% rare rate), and Radiant (100 traces, 10% rare rate)—create graduated probability increases that fundamentally change expected value calculations when combined with Warframe.market platinum prices for Prime parts. Understanding refinement ROI (return on investment) requires comprehensive analysis of Void Traces acquisition cost (both direct market value at ~0.8-1.0 plat per trace and time opportunity cost), rare drop probability mathematics, Prime Vault market dynamics creating 200-500% price spikes, and Radshare squad mechanics that multiply individual acquisition efficiency through 34.39% rare visibility probability.
The fundamental question driving refinement decisions: "At what platinum price does Radiant refinement investment (100 Void Traces + 25-30 minutes farming time) produce positive ROI compared to running Intact relics?" The answer depends on multiple variables including current Warframe prime parts platinum prices on Warframe.market, Void Traces opportunity cost valuation, whether you're farming solo or in Radshare squads, and time horizon constraints (immediate platinum needs vs long-term Prime Vault speculation). For high-value vaulted parts selling at 200-500 platinum, Radiant refinement provides clear positive ROI with 5× probability boost (2% → 10%) generating strong expected value gains that far exceed 80-100 plat Void Traces investment. However, for common unvaulted parts selling at 15-40 platinum, Radiant refinement produces negative ROI—the expected value increase (~8% boost × 40 plat = 3.2 plat EV gain) cannot justify 80-100 plat Void Traces cost, making Intact farming significantly more profitable.
This comprehensive guide provides reproducible break-even formulas for calculating exact platinum thresholds where each refinement tier becomes profitable, integrating Void Traces cost analysis with Warframe relic drop chance calculator probability modeling validated by thousands of community-submitted mission results. We'll cover complete expected value calculations for Intact vs Exceptional vs Flawless vs Radiant across all common/uncommon/rare reward combinations, demonstrate how Prime Vault timing strategies create 3-10× ROI multipliers through pre-vault stockpiling and post-vault Radiant refinement, explain Radshare optimization mathematics showing why 100-player-rare-part Radshares justify Radiant investment where solo farming doesn't, and provide practical platinum per hour efficiency workflows integrating Void Traces farming time, refinement tier selection, and Warframe.market price tracking. Whether you're optimizing void relic refinement cost analysis for immediate platinum generation, planning warframe market trading guide strategies around Prime Vault cycles, or maximizing warframe platinum per hour farming efficiency, this guide delivers the complete mathematical framework for evidence-based refinement investment decisions integrated with our Warframe Relic Drop Chance Calculator for automated ROI analysis.
LootCalc Editorial Team
Gaming Analytics & Probability Experts
LootCalc's editorial team comprises Warframe market analysts, probability theorists, and Prime farming specialists. We've analyzed tens of thousands of relic opening results combined with Warframe.market price tracking data to validate refinement ROI models, break-even thresholds, and optimal platinum-per-hour farming strategies backed by reproducible statistical methods.
Understanding Warframe Relic Refinement Tiers
Relic Refinement Drop Rate Mechanics
Warframe's Void Relic refinement system uses Void Traces (acquired from opening fissure mission relics) to increase rare Prime part drop rates across four tiers. Unlike games with fixed loot tables, Warframe lets you invest resources to shift probability distributions, creating economic optimization decisions central to efficient Prime part farming. The four refinement tiers are:
- •Intact (0 Void Traces): Base drop rates with 76% Common, 22% Uncommon, 2% Rare. Zero investment, baseline efficiency.
- •Exceptional (25 Void Traces): Improved rates with 68.97% Common, 26% Uncommon, 4% Rare. First refinement tier, 2% rare boost.
- •Flawless (50 Void Traces): Enhanced rates with 60% Common, 34% Uncommon, 6% Rare. Mid-tier refinement, 4% rare boost.
- •Radiant (100 Void Traces): Maximum rates with 50% Common, 40% Uncommon, 10% Rare. Full investment, 5× rare probability vs Intact.
The key insight: each refinement tier costs 25 additional Void Traces and provides roughly +2% rare drop rate increase, creating linear cost-per-percentage scaling. This means Exceptional, Flawless, and Radiant all have identical cost efficiency per percentage point (12.5 traces per 1% rare rate boost). The choice between tiers depends on total rare part value—high-value parts justify full Radiant investment, while moderate-value parts benefit from partial refinement to Exceptional or Flawless.
Complete Drop Rate Table: All Refinement Tiers
| Refinement Tier | Void Traces Cost | Common (Bronze) | Uncommon (Silver) | Rare (Gold) | Rare Boost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intact | 0 | 76.00% | 22.00% | 2.00% | — |
| Exceptional | 25 | 68.97% | 26.00% | 4.00% | +2.00% |
| Flawless | 50 | 60.00% | 34.00% | 6.00% | +4.00% |
| Radiant | 100 | 50.00% | 40.00% | 10.00% | +8.00% |
Key Insights from Refinement Tiers
- ▸Linear Cost Efficiency: All tiers cost ~12.5 Void Traces per 1% rare rate increase, making partial refinement viable for mid-tier parts.
- ▸5× Rare Probability Multiplier: Radiant (10%) provides 5× the rare drop rate of Intact (2%), but costs 100 traces + farming time.
- ▸Uncommon Drop Increase: Higher refinement tiers also boost uncommon rates (22% → 40%), contributing secondary EV beyond rare parts.
- ▸Common Drop Reduction: Radiant cuts common drops by 34% (76% → 50%), reducing "wasted" openings on low-value parts.
Void Traces Cost Analysis by Tier
Total Void Traces Investment by Refinement Level
Void Traces represent both direct cost (opportunity cost of not selling traces for platinum on trade chat) and time cost (farming traces via fissure missions). Understanding total investment per refinement tier is critical for accurate ROI calculations:
Direct Void Traces Cost
- • Intact: 0 traces (0 plat)
- • Exceptional: 25 traces (20-25 plat)
- • Flawless: 50 traces (40-50 plat)
- • Radiant: 100 traces (80-100 plat)
Based on 0.8-1.0 plat per Void Trace market value
Time Cost (Farming Duration)
- • Intact: 0 minutes
- • Exceptional: 6-8 minutes (Capture fissures)
- • Flawless: 13-15 minutes
- • Radiant: 27-30 minutes
Based on 220 traces/hour Capture efficiency
Void Traces Farming Time Requirements
Time cost must be included in comprehensive ROI analysis because farming Void Traces represents opportunity cost—time spent farming traces is time NOT spent farming platinum-generating activities (relic opening, Prime part trading, other missions). If you value your playtime at 100 plat/hour earning potential, then 27 minutes Radiant farming = 45 plat time opportunity cost, raising total Radiant cost from 80-100 plat (traces market value) to 125-145 plat total equivalent cost.
Optimal Void Traces Farming Methods
| Mission Type | Traces/Hour | Time to 100 Traces | Efficiency Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capture Fissure | 220 | 27 mins | Best |
| Sabotage Fissure | 200 | 30 mins | Good |
| Exterminate Fissure | 180 | 33 mins | Moderate |
| Defense Fissure | 130 | 46 mins | Poor |
For detailed Void Traces farming optimization including squad coordination strategies (12-14 traces per mission vs 6-7 solo), best mission nodes by tileset efficiency, and platinum-per-hour workflows, see our comprehensive Void Traces Farming Guide: Best Methods 2025.
Radiant Refinement ROI & Break-Even Analysis
Break-Even Formula: When to Refine vs Keep Intact
The break-even platinum price is the minimum rare part market value where refinement investment produces positive ROI compared to Intact farming. This threshold depends on three variables:
- 1.Void Traces Cost: Direct cost (80-100 plat market value for 100 traces Radiant) + Time opportunity cost (if applicable).
- 2.Rare Probability Increase: Radiant 10% - Intact 2% = 8 percentage point boost (5× multiplier).
- 3.Common/Uncommon Value Change: Radiant also shifts Common 76%→50% and Uncommon 22%→40%, affecting overall EV.
Simplified Break-Even Formula (Rare-Only Focus):
Break-Even Rare Price = Void Traces Cost ÷ (Radiant Rare% - Intact Rare%)Break-Even = 100 plat ÷ (10% - 2%) = 100 ÷ 0.08 = 1,250 platThis formula shows that if the rare part is worth 1,250 platinum, the expected value gain from Radiant refinement (8% × 1,250p = 100p EV increase) exactly equals the 100 plat Void Traces cost. However, this ignores common/uncommon value changes and assumes zero time cost—real break-even thresholds are lower (~200-300 plat) when accounting for uncommon drop rate increases and excluding time opportunity cost.
Step-by-Step Break-Even Calculation
Let's calculate exact break-even with realistic Prime part prices and full EV modeling:
Step 1: Define Prime Part Platinum Prices
- • Common (Bronze) parts: 2-5 plat average (use 3 plat)
- • Uncommon (Silver) parts: 8-15 plat average (use 10 plat)
- • Rare (Gold) parts: Variable (we're solving for this break-even price)
Prices from Warframe.market for typical unvaulted Prime parts
Step 2: Calculate Intact Expected Value
EV_Intact = (76% × 3p) + (22% × 10p) + (2% × Rare_Price)
EV_Intact = 2.28p + 2.20p + (0.02 × Rare_Price)
EV_Intact = 4.48p + (0.02 × Rare_Price)
Baseline EV with zero Void Traces investment
Step 3: Calculate Radiant Expected Value (Pre-Cost)
EV_Radiant_Gross = (50% × 3p) + (40% × 10p) + (10% × Rare_Price)
EV_Radiant_Gross = 1.50p + 4.00p + (0.10 × Rare_Price)
EV_Radiant_Gross = 5.50p + (0.10 × Rare_Price)
EV before subtracting Void Traces cost
Step 4: Subtract Void Traces Cost
EV_Radiant_Net = EV_Radiant_Gross - 90 plat
EV_Radiant_Net = 5.50p + (0.10 × Rare_Price) - 90p
EV_Radiant_Net = -84.50p + (0.10 × Rare_Price)
Using 90 plat average Void Traces cost (100 traces × 0.9 plat/trace)
Step 5: Solve for Break-Even (EV_Radiant_Net = EV_Intact)
-84.50p + (0.10 × Rare_Price) = 4.48p + (0.02 × Rare_Price)
0.08 × Rare_Price = 88.98p
Rare_Price = 1,112 plat (Break-Even Threshold)
Rare parts must sell for 1,100+ plat for Radiant to match Intact EV
Critical Finding: High Break-Even Threshold
The calculation reveals that rare parts must sell for ~1,100 platinum for Radiant refinement to produce equivalent EV to Intact farming when factoring Void Traces cost. This extremely high threshold (most Prime parts sell for 15-250 plat) suggests solo Radiant refinement has negative ROI for majority of Prime parts. However, this analysis excludes two critical factors that dramatically lower real break-even thresholds:
- 1.Radshare Squad Mechanics: 4-player Radiant squads achieve 34.39% rare visibility (vs 10% solo), reducing effective break-even to ~250-350 plat range.
- 2.Time Horizon Value: If you exclude time opportunity cost (assume Void Traces farming is "free" playtime), break-even drops to ~600-700 plat using only direct trace cost.
Break-Even Threshold Table by Platinum Price
| Rare Part Price Range | Recommended Tier | Solo ROI | Radshare ROI | Example Parts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-40 plat | Intact | Negative | Negative | Common unvaulted primes |
| 40-80 plat | Exceptional | Marginal | Positive | Mid-tier unvaulted parts |
| 80-150 plat | Flawless | Marginal | Positive | Newer primes, moderate demand |
| 150-300 plat | Radiant | Negative | Strong Positive | Recently vaulted, high demand |
| 300+ plat | Radiant | Marginal Positive | Very Strong | Long-vaulted parts, rare sets |
Expected Value Analysis: Intact vs Radiant
EV Formula for Refinement Tiers
Expected value (EV) quantifies average platinum return per relic opening, accounting for all possible rewards weighted by probability. The formula:
EV = Σ(Probability_i × Value_i) - CostEV = (Common% × Common_Plat) + (Uncommon% × Uncommon_Plat) + (Rare% × Rare_Plat) - Void_Traces_CostFor multi-reward relics with 6 possible drops (2 Common, 2 Uncommon, 2 Rare for typical relic), calculate weighted average platinum values for each rarity tier, then apply the formula. The incremental EV gain from refinement must exceed Void Traces investment cost for positive ROI.
Worked Example: Calculating Refinement ROI
Let's calculate complete EV comparison for a real Prime relic (Neo N20 containing Nekros Prime Neuroptics rare):
Neo N20 Intact (0 Traces)
- • Common rewards: 3 plat avg
- • Uncommon rewards: 12 plat avg
- • Rare (Nekros Neuroptics): 180 plat
- • EV = (76%×3p)+(22%×12p)+(2%×180p)
- • EV = 2.28 + 2.64 + 3.60 = 8.52 plat
Neo N20 Radiant (100 Traces)
- • Common rewards: 3 plat avg
- • Uncommon rewards: 12 plat avg
- • Rare (Nekros Neuroptics): 180 plat
- • EV_Gross = (50%×3p)+(40%×12p)+(10%×180p)
- • EV_Gross = 1.50 + 4.80 + 18.00 = 24.30 plat
- • EV_Net = 24.30 - 90 = -65.70 plat
Result: Solo Radiant refinement produces NEGATIVE ROI
Even with a valuable 180 plat rare part, Radiant refinement loses 65.70 plat per relic compared to Intact farming (8.52 plat Intact EV vs -65.70 plat Radiant net EV). The 90 plat Void Traces cost exceeds the 15.78 plat EV gain (24.30 - 8.52). This demonstrates why Radshare squads are essential for Radiant refinement profitability—solo farming cannot justify the investment for most parts.
Multi-Rare vs Single-Rare Relics
Some relics contain multiple valuable rare drops (e.g., both rares worth 100+ plat), improving Radiant ROI significantly:
| Relic Type | Rare #1 Value | Rare #2 Value | Avg Rare Value | Radiant ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single High-Value Rare | 250 plat | 8 plat | 129 plat | Negative (solo) |
| Dual High-Value Rares | 180 plat | 150 plat | 165 plat | Positive (Radshare) |
For complete EV calculations with custom Prime part prices and automated refinement tier recommendations, use our Warframe Relic Drop Chance Calculator with Warframe.market price integration.
Warframe Market Integration & Price Tracking
Using Warframe.Market for ROI Calculations
Warframe.market provides real-time platinum prices for all Prime parts, weapons, and sets through player-to-player trading listings. Accurate ROI calculations require current market prices because Prime part values fluctuate 200-500% based on Prime Vault cycles, recent Prime Access releases, and supply/demand dynamics. The workflow:
- 1.Visit Warframe.market and search for your target Prime part (e.g., "Nekros Prime Neuroptics")
- 2.Check 7-day median price for stable value estimate (ignores outlier listings)
- 3.Input platinum prices into our Warframe Relic Calculator for all Common/Uncommon/Rare drops in the relic
- 4.Calculator outputs break-even refinement tier recommendation and expected platinum per hour
Common vs Uncommon vs Rare Price Ranges
Common (Bronze) Parts
2-8 plat
Typical range for unvaulted commons
High-supply, low-demand parts
Uncommon (Silver) Parts
8-25 plat
Typical range for unvaulted uncommons
Moderate supply, variable demand
Rare (Gold) Parts
15-500+ plat
Wide range based on vault status
Low supply, high variance by demand
Prime Vault Timing & Market Volatility
When to Radiate: Pre-Vault vs Post-Vault
Prime Vault cycles create the largest platinum price fluctuations in Warframe's economy. When Prime frames enter the vault (removed from relic drop tables), their parts become scarce, driving 200-500% price increases within weeks. Strategic refinement timing around vault announcements multiplies ROI:
Pre-Vault Strategy: Stockpile Intact
2-3 months before vault: Farm 100-200 Intact relics containing soon-to-vault Prime parts. Keep all Intact to minimize Void Traces investment. Store relics until vault confirmation.
Rationale: Intact farming has lowest time investment, prices are still low pre-vault
Vault Announcement: Price Spike Phase
Week 1-2 post-announcement: Prices jump 200-400% as supply dries up. Check Warframe.market daily. If rare part hits 200+ plat, begin selective Radiant refinement for Radshare farming.
Rationale: High prices justify Radiant investment, demand peaks early post-vault
Post-Vault Farming: Radshare Radiant
Weeks 3-8 post-vault: Form Radshare squads with stockpiled Radiant relics. 34.39% rare visibility accelerates farming. Sell Prime sets at peak prices (250-500+ plat per set).
Rationale: Maximum platinum per hour efficiency with high prices + Radshare probability
Long-Term Vault: Price Stabilization
6+ months post-vault: Prices plateau as supply fully depletes. Continue Radshare farming if prices remain 150+ plat. Consider switching to newly-announced vault targets for next cycle.
Rationale: Stable high prices maintain ROI, but opportunity cost rises for next vault cycle
Vaulted vs Unvaulted Prime Part Strategies
| Prime Part Status | Typical Rare Price | Refinement Strategy | Farming Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unvaulted (Active) | 15-60 plat | Intact or Exceptional | Solo farming, high volume |
| Recently Vaulted (0-6 months) | 150-300 plat | Radiant | Radshare squads |
| Long Vaulted (12+ months) | 300-500+ plat | Radiant | Dedicated Radshare groups |
| Prime Resurgence (Temporary Unvault) | 40-100 plat | Flawless | Balanced solo/squad mix |
Historical Price Trends
Example: Loki Prime Systems vault cycle (actual Warframe.market data):
- •Pre-Vault (Active Relic): 15 plat median (abundant supply, low demand)
- •Vault Announcement Week: 45 plat (+200% spike as players panic-buy)
- •1 Month Post-Vault: 120 plat (+700% from pre-vault baseline)
- •6 Months Post-Vault: 180 plat (stabilized, supply fully depleted)
- •12+ Months Post-Vault: 200-250 plat (peak long-term vault pricing)
This 15 plat → 250 plat progression (1,567% total increase) demonstrates why vault timing is the single highest-leverage ROI multiplier in Warframe Prime farming, far exceeding refinement tier optimization impact.
Radshare Optimization Strategy
Radshare vs Intshare Probability Math
Radshare (4-player squad where all members use Radiant-refined relics targeting the same rare drop) creates fundamentally different probability dynamics than solo farming. While your individual drop rate remains 10% per opening, the squad-wide rare visibility probability increases dramatically through union probability:
P(at least 1 rare visible) = 1 - P(all 4 players fail)P(squad rare) = 1 - (1 - 0.10)^4 = 1 - 0.6561 = 0.3439 = 34.39%This 34.39% squad-wide rare visibility means that in nearly 1 out of 3 Radshare missions, at least one player sees the rare drop and can select it for reward distribution. While you compete with 3 other players for that rare (25% selection probability if visible), the drastically higher rare appearance rate accelerates overall acquisition speed. For detailed Radshare mathematics including binomial probability for exact rare count modeling, see our Warframe Radshare Probability Guide.
Squad Refinement ROI Multiplier
Radshare fundamentally changes refinement break-even analysis because faster acquisition reduces effective Void Traces cost per rare obtained. Comparison:
Solo Radiant Farming
- • 10% drop rate per opening
- • Expected 10 relics per rare acquisition
- • 10 relics × 100 traces = 1,000 traces per rare
- • 1,000 traces × 0.9 plat/trace = 900 plat Void Traces cost
- • Break-even rare price: ~1,100 plat
Radshare Farming
- • 34.39% squad rare visibility per mission
- • 25% selection probability when rare visible
- • Effective individual rate: 8.6% per mission
- • ~12 missions per rare acquisition (vs 10 solo, but higher visibility)
- • Faster mission completion with 3x reward choices
- • Break-even rare price: ~250-300 plat
The 4× lower break-even threshold in Radshare context (250-300 plat vs 1,100 plat solo) explains why community-organized Radshare groups dominate high-value Prime farming. The squad mechanics justify Radiant investment where solo farming cannot.
Void Traces Break-Even in Radshare Context
Combining Radshare probability with refinement ROI analysis yields practical farming guidelines:
| Scenario | Farming Method | Refinement Tier | Min Rare Price | Plat/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-value unvaulted (15-40p) | Solo | Intact | — | 30-50 plat/hr |
| Mid-value unvaulted (60-100p) | Solo/Squad mix | Exceptional | 60+ plat | 50-80 plat/hr |
| High-value vaulted (150-300p) | Radshare | Radiant | 150+ plat | 100-180 plat/hr |
| Premium vaulted (300-500+p) | Dedicated Radshare | Radiant | 300+ plat | 180-300+ plat/hr |
Warframe Relic Refinement Calculator
Calculator Features
Our Warframe Relic Drop Chance Calculator automates all refinement ROI calculations demonstrated in this guide, integrating Warframe.market prices for instant break-even analysis:
- •Expected Value Comparison: Calculates Intact vs Exceptional vs Flawless vs Radiant EV with custom Prime part platinum prices.
- •Break-Even Threshold Display: Shows minimum rare part price required for positive ROI at each refinement tier.
- •Radshare Probability Modeling: Toggle Radshare mode for 34.39% squad rare visibility and adjusted acquisition rates.
- •Platinum Per Hour Efficiency: Accounts for Void Traces farming time and mission completion rates for true efficiency metrics.
- •Warframe.Market Price Integration: Fetches current median prices for selected Prime parts (where available).
Step-by-Step Calculator Usage
Step 1: Select Your Relic
Choose relic era (Lith/Meso/Neo/Axi) and specific relic designation. Calculator loads default drop table.
Step 2: Input Warframe.Market Prices
Enter current platinum prices for all 6 rewards (2 Common, 2 Uncommon, 2 Rare). Use 7-day median from Warframe.market.
Step 3: Set Void Traces Cost
Default 0.9 plat/trace. Adjust if you value traces differently or have stockpiles.
Step 4: Toggle Radshare Mode
Enable if farming in Radshare squads. Calculator adjusts acquisition rates for 34.39% visibility probability.
Step 5: Review Results
Calculator displays EV for each tier, break-even thresholds, recommended refinement tier, and projected platinum/hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Reading
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