RAWR4Firefall

Perks

tl;dr: Perks are passive bonuses you slot into a battleframe. A frame unlocks its own perks while leveling, perks of other frames come from Elite Ranks. What limits you is the perk bandwidth: every perk costs between 1 and 9 points and you get one point per level from level 10 on.

Coming from an older version? Before update 1.6 a frame unlocked a perk every 10 levels, and for the Accord perks you had to level the Accord frame to 40, even if you never used it again. Now they're part of leveling the advanced frame, with a perk every 5 levels.

Costs

Unlocked at LevelPerksCost of Each
1011 point
15, 20 and 254 (two of them at level 25)3 points
30 and 3526 points
40 and 4529 points

The game sorts the perks into the tiers Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Master. Generally speaking, the later a perk unlocks, the more it costs.

At level 45 you have 36 points. The nine perks a frame unlocks cost 43 points in total, so even without any perk of another frame you can't equip everything. Elite Ranks can raise the bandwidth by up to 49 points, one point per pick.

There's one more perk every advanced frame gets at level 20: Microcompression Suspension, which lets you survive a fall from any height. It's the same for all frames, so I left it out of the lists below.

Locking in Perks

Perks are changed at a garage. Open the loadout (default key: P), go to the Perks tab, drag the perks you want into the slots and press Lock In Perks. A frame can have at most ten perks slotted, no matter how much bandwidth it has.

Keep in mind that locking in is meant literally: afterwards you can't change the perks of that frame for 24 hours. The lock ends early whenever the frame earns a new perk point, so while leveling you'll rarely notice it. At level 45 you will.

That's what perk respecs are for. A respec point lets you lock in a new set while the timer is still running, and every lock-in during that time uses up one point. You buy them in the same window with Red Beans (Unlock Perks). On the live servers of 2016 one respec point was 2 Red Beans.

How the Unlocks Work

The Accord frame unlocks the first two perks of its archetype at level 10 and 15. Since the Accord frame turns into the advanced frame at level 20, both advanced frames of an archetype share those two and then go their own way. Two frames of the same archetype also share one or two of the later perks, e.g. Tigerclaw and Firecat both get Invigorate and Second Wind.

Perks you've unlocked on one frame aren't automatically available on the others. To use Hunter on a Rhino, the Rhino has to get it offered as an Elite Rank reward, and those are offered in the order the original frame unlocks them.

Assault

Omnidyne-M Tigerclaw
LevelPerkEffect
10Quick-Flexing ServosQuick-Flexing Servos
1 point
Increases jump height by 3 meters.
15Plasma EnthusiastPlasma Enthusiast
3 points
Thermal weapons and abilities deal 10% additional damage.
20Quick HandsQuick Hands
3 points
Reduces weapon switching time by 45%.
25Plasma ScoopsPlasma Scoops
3 points
After taking Thermal damage, grants bonus Jet Energy regeneration (80 energy/sec) for 4 seconds. This effect cannot occur more often than once every 10 seconds.
25Quick-Pivot ServosQuick-Pivot Servos
3 points
Increases base movement speed by 0.25 meters per second and sprint speed by 5%.
30InvigorateInvigorate
6 points
Activating an ability invigorates you and your allies within 8m, increasing movement and rate of fire by 10% for 6 seconds.
35Eye of the TigerEye of the Tiger
6 points
Reduces the cooldown of movement abilities by 10%
40Second WindSecond Wind
9 points
Killing 5 or more enemies within 5 seconds while your health is below 35% heals you for 60% of your maximum health.
45HunterHunter
9 points
Shooting an enemy grants 5% bonus damage against that enemy for 3 seconds. Shooting the same target repeatedly increases the damage once per second up to a maximum of 20% bonus damage.
Astrek Firecat
LevelPerkEffect
10Quick-Flexing ServosQuick-Flexing Servos
1 point
Increases jump height by 3 meters.
15Plasma EnthusiastPlasma Enthusiast
3 points
Thermal weapons and abilities deal 10% additional damage.
20Searing FlamesSearing Flames
3 points
When you deal Thermal damage to a target, their damage is reduced by 2% for 5 seconds, stacking up to 20%.
25ExtinguisherExtinguisher
3 points
Reduces Thermal damage taken by 15%.
25EpicenterEpicenter
3 points
Increases the damage dealt by area effect abilities which emanate from you by 15%.
30InvigorateInvigorate
6 points
Activating an ability invigorates you and your allies within 8m, increasing movement and rate of fire by 10% for 6 seconds.
35Corpse CombustionCorpse Combustion
6 points
When an enemy is killed, their corpse bursts into flames for 6 seconds, damaging enemies (40 hp/s at level 1) within 3m. This effect cannot occur more often than once every 3 seconds.
40Second WindSecond Wind
9 points
Killing 5 or more enemies within 5 seconds while your health is below 35% heals you for 60% of your maximum health.
45Flame BufferFlame Buffer
9 points
Activating abilities creates a fire shield that burns enemies (5 hp/sec at level 1) within 4m. After several seconds, the buffer explodes, dealing damage to nearby enemies (20 hp at level 1).

Dreadnaught

Omnidyne-M Mammoth
LevelPerkEffect
10Get a Move OnGet a Move On
1 point
Increases run speed by 10% while weapon is holstered.
15KnockoutKnockout
3 points
Increases melee damage by 15%. Attacks with Brawling-type and Hammer-type Auxiliary Weapons now have a 25% chance to stun targets for 2 seconds.
20HardenHarden
3 points
After taking damage, your armor hardens to reduce all damage taken by 2% for 4 seconds, stacking up to 10%.
25Thick SkullThick Skull
3 points
Reduces all headshot damage taken by 20%.
25Shields UpShields Up
3 points
Increases the health of all shields by 20%.
30Deflection PlatingDeflection Plating
6 points
Damage from all sources is reduced by 5%.
35Thick HideThick Hide
6 points
Increases Bonus Health by 25%
40HellbentHellbent
9 points
Suffering damage causes your Battleframe's offensive systems to go into overdrive, increasing damage dealt by 5% for 10 seconds. Taking repeated damage increases the bonus by 5% per two seconds up to a maximum of 25% bonus damage.
45Health SurgeHealth Surge
9 points
Activating an ability heals you for 15% of your maximum health over 10 seconds.
Astrek Rhino
LevelPerkEffect
10Get a Move OnGet a Move On
1 point
Increases run speed by 10% while weapon is holstered.
15KnockoutKnockout
3 points
Increases melee damage by 15%. Attacks with Brawling-type and Hammer-type Auxiliary Weapons now have a 25% chance to stun targets for 2 seconds.
20Back in ActionBack in Action
3 points
Reduces respawn timer by 50%.
25Self-Cleaning ServosSelf-Cleaning Servos
3 points
Reduces all snare effects and durations by 50%.
25StampedeStampede
3 points
Sprinting slows targets within 4m, reducing their movement speed by 50%.
30Deflection PlatingDeflection Plating
6 points
Damage from all sources is reduced by 5%.
35Kill StealerKill Stealer
6 points
Increases weapon and ability damage by 30% against targets below 50% health.
40HellbentHellbent
9 points
Suffering damage causes your Battleframe's offensive systems to go into overdrive, increasing damage dealt by 5% for 10 seconds. Taking repeated damage increases the bonus by 5% per two seconds up to a maximum of 25% bonus damage.
45HeroHero
9 points
When health reaches zero, become immune to damage for 5 seconds. This effect cannot occur more often than once every 15 minutes.

Engineer

Omnidyne-M Bastion
LevelPerkEffect
10Fuel InjectorsFuel Injectors
1 point
Increases Jet Energy Recharge rate by 20%.
15Resonating ShieldsResonating Shields
3 points
Increases the duration of ability shield effects by 2 seconds.
20Hardware GeniusHardware Genius
3 points
Increases damage dealt to deployables, machinery, and vehicles by 20%.
25Reactive ArmorReactive Armor
3 points
Reduces first instance of damage taken by 20%. This effect cannot occur more often than once every 10 seconds.
25Resilient AlloysResilient Alloys
3 points
Increases health of your non-shield deployables by 15%.
30Mounted FirepowerMounted Firepower
6 points
Increases the damage of your deployables by 25%.
35Sentient ArmorSentient Armor
6 points
When hit, automatically adjusts Battleframe armor to reduce damage from that damage type by 10% for 10 seconds. This effect cannot occur more often than once every 12 seconds.
40Hyper Kinesis SurgeHyper Kinesis Surge
9 points
When your Ultimate Ability is activated, gain a 130% speed boost and a 40% defensive bonus for 12 seconds.
45Deployable RepulsorDeployable Repulsor
9 points
Applies a repulsor unit to all of your owned deployables. The repulsor unit will detect enemies in close proximity and knock them back.
Astrek Electron
LevelPerkEffect
10Fuel InjectorsFuel Injectors
1 point
Increases Jet Energy Recharge rate by 20%.
15Resonating ShieldsResonating Shields
3 points
Increases the duration of ability shield effects by 2 seconds.
20Combustion BoostCombustion Boost
3 points
Adds an additional +60 Jet Energy.
25Magnetic ShieldingMagnetic Shielding
3 points
Reduces all Kinetic damage taken by 15%.
25Augmented Shield GeneratorsAugmented Shield Generators
3 points
Reduces the cooldown of support abilities by 10%
30Mounted FirepowerMounted Firepower
6 points
Increases the damage of your deployables by 25%.
35Rapid Kinesis AssemblageRapid Kinesis Assemblage
6 points
Increases the charge rate of your Ultimate Ability by 20%.
40Hyper Kinesis SurgeHyper Kinesis Surge
9 points
When your Ultimate Ability is activated, gain a 130% speed boost and a 40% defensive bonus for 12 seconds.
45High Yield CapacitorsHigh Yield Capacitors
9 points
Activating your Ultimate Ability instantly refreshes your cooldowns.

Recon

Omnidyne-M Nighthawk
LevelPerkEffect
10Head HunterHead Hunter
1 point
Increases critical damage by 10%.
15SIN PrecisionSIN Precision
3 points
Targets you place into SIN are visible behind walls.
20Special OperationsSpecial Operations
3 points
Reduces cooldown of offensive abilities by 10%
25SIN ICESIN ICE
3 points
When damaged or added to enemy SIN, tags your attacker in SIN.
25Ballistics ExpertBallistics Expert
3 points
Kinetic weapons and abilities deal 10% additional damage.
30TacticianTactician
6 points
When you inflict a critical damage, there is a 20% chance of resetting your ability cooldowns. This effect cannot occur more often than once every 60 seconds.
35Sure ShotSure Shot
6 points
Dealing weapon damage has a 10% chance to trigger a 50% rate of fire boost for 3 seconds. This effect cannot occur more often than once every 10 seconds.
40Energy SpikesEnergy Spikes
9 points
Activating an ability will deploy an energy spike trap at your location which lasts 10 seconds. Enemies in the trap are snared (-60% movement speed) and take damage over time (10hp/sec at level 1) while in the trap and for 2 seconds after leaving it.
45Concussion ShellsConcussion Shells
9 points
Critical hits reduce enemy movement speed and attack speed to 25% of normal and have a 25% chance to stun targets.
Astrek Raptor
LevelPerkEffect
10Head HunterHead Hunter
1 point
Increases critical damage by 10%.
15SIN PrecisionSIN Precision
3 points
Targets you place into SIN are visible behind walls.
20GrenadierGrenadier
3 points
No description in the client data.
25Feedback CircuitsFeedback Circuits
3 points
Reduces all Energy damage taken by 10%. Additionally, after taking Energy damage, stores 20% of damage taken. This damage is unleashed on the next target shot with your weapon within 10 seconds.
25PhysicistPhysicist
3 points
Increases weapon charging speed by 10%.
30TacticianTactician
6 points
When you inflict a critical damage, there is a 20% chance of resetting your ability cooldowns. This effect cannot occur more often than once every 60 seconds.
35Energy ShapingEnergy Shaping
6 points
Increases melee damage by 15%. Attacks with Sword-type Auxiliary Weapons now deal 50% additional damage from behind the target.
40Energy SpikesEnergy Spikes
9 points
Activating an ability will deploy an energy spike trap at your location which lasts 10 seconds. Enemies in the trap are snared (-60% movement speed) and take damage over time (10hp/sec at level 1) while in the trap and for 2 seconds after leaving it.
45Arcing BoltsArcing Bolts
9 points
Energy weapons chain weapon damage to an enemy within 10m. Each arc inflicts 30% damage and will continue to chain to new targets within 10m.

Biotech

Omnidyne-M Dragonfly
LevelPerkEffect
10PersistencePersistence
1 point
Increases total health regeneration by 10%.
15Bio BlendingBio Blending
3 points
Increases damage dealt while at full health by 10%.
20Bio ReservesBio Reserves
3 points
Reduces the cooldown of all healing abilities by 10%
25Melding ConverterMelding Converter
3 points
Reduces all Melding damage taken by 10%. After taking Melding damage, heal 5% of your maximum health over 4 seconds. This effect cannot occur more often than once every 10 seconds.
25Frequent PatientFrequent Patient
3 points
Increases healing received by 10%.
30Catalytic PoisonsCatalytic Poisons
6 points
Targets hit with Chemical damage have additional damage dealt as a delayed burst (15 base damage at level 1) 4 seconds after being infected.
35Combat MedicCombat Medic
6 points
Reviving incapacitated players will restore them to full health. Additionally, increases your health regeneration and that of squadmates within 100m and other allies within 8m by 20%.
40Toxic FinaleToxic Finale
9 points
Upon being incapacitated, detonate a powerful chemical bomb in an 8m radius around you that damages enemies and heals allies for 20hp/sec (at level 1) for 10 seconds.
45Auto-repairAuto-repair
9 points
Increases your health regeneration by 25%. Additionally, if you take an instance of damage greater than 25% of your maximum health, your health regeneration is doubled for 10 seconds.
Astrek Recluse
LevelPerkEffect
10PersistencePersistence
1 point
Increases total health regeneration by 10%.
15Bio BlendingBio Blending
3 points
Increases damage dealt while at full health by 10%.
20Necrotic BiteNecrotic Bite
3 points
Increases damage done to Humanoid targets by 8%.
25VentilatorVentilator
3 points
Reduces Chemical damage taken by 15%.
25VirusVirus
3 points
Chemical weapons and abilities deal 10% additional damage.
30Catalytic PoisonsCatalytic Poisons
6 points
Targets hit with Chemical damage have additional damage dealt as a delayed burst (15 base damage at level 1) 4 seconds after being infected.
35Potent ToxinsPotent Toxins
6 points
Weapons and abilities that deal Chemical damage reduce the targets' movement speed by 30% for 4 seconds.
40Toxic FinaleToxic Finale
9 points
Upon being incapacitated, detonate a powerful chemical bomb in an 8m radius around you that damages enemies and heals allies for 20hp/sec (at level 1) for 10 seconds.
45Anatomy LessonsAnatomy Lessons
9 points
When dealing damage with your weapon, there is a 10% chance to enter a critical state for 5 seconds, increasing weapon damage by 50%.

The values in the descriptions that say "at level 1" scale with the level of the battleframe.