Steel Meridian is one of the six faction syndicates, and is led by Grineer defector Cressa Tal. Comprising ex-Grineer forces born with a genetic flaw that enables them to disobey the Grineer Queens, its goal is to protect and defend what their brothers and sisters would seek to destroy. They seek to undermine the entrenched beliefs of their race and weaken the Grineer's hold in the Origin System by liberating and defending human colonies, although it is unknown whether they are doing this just because of their intense desire to defy their masters or for some form of greater good.
Although they are separate from the Grineer, Steel Meridian continues to use of most of their Grineer technology and weaponry, as seen in their Vaykor weapon set and weapon augments.
Tenno who pledge to defend the defenseless with Steel Meridian will receive unique Augment Mods for Steel Meridian’s favored weapons after obtaining the title of Protector. The weapons include 
Hek, 
Dual Cleavers, 
Sobek, and 
Miter. The unique effect associated with the weapon mods from this syndicate is Justice.
After obtaining enough Standing to reach the title of General, Tenno can exchange Standing for Augment Mods for Steel Meridian’s favored Warframes, that include 
Atlas, 
Citrine, 
Ember, 
Excalibur, 
Frost, 
Garuda, 
Grendel, 
Khora, 
Kullervo, 
Mesa, 
Nezha, 
Nidus, 
Nova, 
Oberon, 
Rhino, 
Saryn, 
Voruna and 
Xaku.
Standing Gain
- Upon pledging to Steel Meridian, 15% of affinity will be converted into Standing.
- Three daily Syndicate Alerts award standing on completion.
- Insignias found within Steel Meridian Syndicate Alerts as interactable objects can be traded for standing in Steel Meridian's enclave. Each alert has 8 medallions, with three rarities awarding
500, 1000, or 5,000 standing. - Earning standing with Steel Meridian increases
Red Veil's standing by +50%, but decreases 
New Loka's standing by -50% and 
The Perrin Sequence by -100%. - Daily Standing Cap is shared with all Faction Syndicates.
Ranks
| Rank & Title | Sacrifice | Benefits and Consequences | Standing (Minimum to Maximum) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 5 - General |
3  Aya
|
 500,000 99,000
|
Access to Warframe Augment Mods, Syndicate Weapons, Syndicate Syandana and Syndicate Captura Scenes | 0 to 132,000 |
 4 - Protector |
2 Aya
|
250,000 70,000
|
Access to Weapon Augment Mods and Orbiter Sculptures | 0 to 99,000 |
 3 - Defender |
 Orokin Catalyst
|
100,000 44,000
|
Access to Squad Health Restore (Large) Blueprint and Archwing Weapon components | 0 to 70,000 |
 2 - Valiant |
 Forma
|
50,000 22,000
|
Access to Syndicate Void Relic Pack, partial access to Archwing Weapon components | 0 to 44,000 |
 1 - Brave |
2  Morphics
|
30,000 5,000
|
Access to Roller Specter | 0 to 22,000 |
 0 - Initiation |
1,000  Salvage
|
10,000
|
Access to Steel Meridian Sigil | 0 to 5,000 |
 Neutral |
Forma
|
50,000 0
|
- | -5,000 to 5,000 |
 -1 - Outcast |
Orokin Catalyst
|
100,000 0
|
Hunted by Eximus Roller Squad | -22,000 to 0 |
 -2 - Enemy |
- | - | Hunted by Eximus Roller Platoon | -44,000 to 0 |
Offerings
Lore & History
Trivia
- According to Cephalon Cordylon, whilst Steel Meridian's and The Perrin Sequence's ideology do not conflict, their differing methods of resolving conflict does — one by force and the other by diplomacy which is the main cause of the negative alignment of both parties, although this may also be attributed from the years of xenophobic culture adapted from the Grineer, a form of hate which cannot be alleviated with words alone.
- New Loka's beliefs is what may have put them at opposition with the Steel Meridian, as they do not see Grineer to be of true humanity, a stigma dating back to the Orokin Empire. This is shown through one of Amaryn's quotes during The Silver Grove quest, stating that "the rest of the Earth is polluted by the monstrosities of [the Orokin's] genetic tinkering".
- On the other hand, Steel Meridian and Red Veil's alliance seems to signify a "sword-and-shield" relationship; The Red Veil seeks out to purge the Origin System of evil, cutting down those who dare harm those whom the Steel Meridian guard.
- After completing A Man of Few Words, Clem sometimes replaces the Grineer collecting Insignias in the Steel Meridian room.
- Following Operation: Rathuum in Update 18.10 (2016-04-29), the name of Steel Meridian's leader is Cressa Tal.
- This may indicate some correlation between her and Shik Tal, due to their identical surnames.
- Operation: Rathuum's announcement incorrectly called her Cressa Mal.
- Cressa Tal, and indirectly Steel Meridian is the first syndicate to openly support the Tenno in a regular conflict in the Star Chart, mainly the Kela de Thaym boss fight. Ergo Glast and The Perrin Sequence follows this trend as per Operation: Ambulas Reborn.
- Cressa Tal, the leader of Steel Meridian, is the one who tips the Lotus and the Tenno about a group of Kavor Defectors, who need help in Defection missions.
- Steel Meridian is the faction that spearheads the rebuilding of Strata Relay (on PC version) during The Pyrus Project.
- Not all defective Grineer have joined Steel Meridian. The Kavor, according to the Lotus, are "too broken" to join Steel Meridian and instead search for peaceful lives where they no longer have to fight. Kahl-175 of Kahl's Garrison, although having sent rescued defectors to Steel Meridian, chooses not to join up with them as he prefers to work in a smaller, covert groups.
Notes
- If the player falls from General to Enemy, the player will not be required to sacrifice items/credits when ranking from Enemy to General.
Gallery
| Syndicates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Relay | Factions |  Arbiters of Hexis •  Cephalon Suda • New Loka • Red Veil • Steel Meridian • The Perrin Sequence
| |
| Neutral |  Cephalon Simaris •  Conclave
| ||
| Open World | Cetus |  Ostron •  The Quills
| |
| Fortuna |  Solaris United •  Ventkids •  Vox Solaris
| ||
| Necralisk |  Entrati •  Necraloid
| ||
| Star Chart | Chrysalith |  The Holdfasts
| |
| Sanctum Anatomica |  Cavia
| ||
| Drifter's Camp |  Kahl's Garrison
| ||
| Höllvania |  The Hex
| ||
| Event |  Operational Supply •  Nightwave
| ||
| Standing • Syndicate Medallions • Syndicate Radial Effects | |||