Complete Beginner's Guide to Arknights: Endfield

2026-02-15·21 min read·9
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Version: 1.0 Zeroth Directive | Read time: 25 min | Updated: 2026-03-04 Sources: Game8, Fextralife, OutputLag, Icy Veins

What This Guide Covers

This guide helps you build a strong account foundation on day one and understand Arknights: Endfield's core systems—operator building, damage types, gacha mechanics, and factory automation.


Day 1 Checklist (~2-3 hours)

Immediate Actions

Priority Task Time Reward
P0 Complete tutorial 30 min Story progress
P0 Claim all mail 2 min Pulls + Resources
P0 Redeem gift codes 5 min Bonus pulls
P0 Complete beginner banner (40 pulls) 10 min Guaranteed 6★
P1 Unlock gacha system 5 min Pull access
P1 Unlock AIC base building 15 min Passive income
P2 Set up electric mining rigs 20 min Auto-resources
P2 Reach Account Level 15 Ongoing Full systems

Gift Codes (Check for latest)

Code Reward
ENDFIELDLAUNCH 500 Orundum
TALOS2WELCOME 10 Headhunting Permits
RHODESISLAND Supply Crate

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Understanding Core Systems

Operator Classes

Class Role Example
Striker Main DPS Laevatain
Guard Sub DPS / Support Chen Qianyu
Vanguard SP Generation Arclight
Defender Tank / Protection -
Supporter Buffs / Debuffs Gilberta
Medic Healing Ardelia

Damage Types

Type Color Special Mechanic
Physical White ⬜ Vulnerability stacking
Heat Red 🔴 DoT damage
Electric Yellow 🟡 Damage amplification
Cryo Blue 🔵 Freeze control
Nature Green 🟢 RES shred

Understanding Elemental Reactions

When you hit enemies with elemental damage (Heat, Electric, Cryo, Nature), you apply Arts Infliction. Combining different elements triggers reactions:

Reaction Trigger Effect
Combustion Heat on non-Heat Fire DoT
Electrification Electric on non-Electric All damage amp
Solidification Cryo on non-Cryo Freeze
Corrosion Nature on non-Nature RES reduction

Gacha System Explained

Banner Pity Notes
New Horizons (Beginner) 40 Guaranteed 6★, complete all 40 pulls
Standard 80 No rate-up, 300 pulls = selectable 6★
Featured/Limited 80 Rate-up character, 120 = hard guarantee

Pity System Rules

Rule Details
Soft pity 65+ pulls increase 6★ rate by 5% per pull
Hard pity 80 pulls = guaranteed 6★
50/50 50% featured, 50% standard pool
120 guarantee Lost 50/50? Next featured guaranteed (only THAT banner)
Pity carryover Pull count carries, 120 guarantee does NOT

F2P Pull Strategy

  1. Complete New Horizons first (40 pulls = 6★ + weapon selector)
  2. Save for limited banners (need 120 for guarantee)
  3. Don't pull without 120 ready on limited banners
  4. Standard banner is low priority

AIC Factory System

Why AIC Matters

Your base generates resources 24/7. Setting it up correctly on Day 1 compounds your progression forever.

First Steps

Step Action Priority
1 Complete AIC tutorial Immediate
2 Build Thermal Bank (power) High
3 Build Electric Mining Rigs High
4 Connect with Relay Towers High
5 Set up basic production line Medium

Early Production Chain

[Mining Rig] → [Crusher] → [Assembler] → [Depot]
     ↑
[Thermal Bank] ← [Batteries]

AIC Index Priorities (First Week)

Priority Index Why
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mining More raw materials
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Power Run more facilities
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Processing Turn materials into products
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Logistics Move items efficiently
⭐⭐⭐ Exploration Convenience
⭐⭐ Combat Later

Team Building Basics

Starter Team (F2P)

Slot Operator Source Role
Main DPS Endministrator Starter Physical core
Sub DPS Chen Qianyu Story Quest Vulnerability
SP Support Akekuri 4★ Gacha SP generation
Healer Perlica → Ardelia Story/7-day login Sustain

Team Building Rules

  1. One main DPS - Focus ALL resources here first
  2. One reaction enabler - Provides elemental infliction
  3. One SP generator - Keeps skills flowing
  4. One sustain - Healing or shielding

Resource Investment Order

Week 1: Main DPS to Level 60 → Weapon maxed
Week 2: Sub DPS to Level 50 → Skills to 6
Week 3: Supports to Level 40 → Basic gear
Week 4: Optimization begins

Common Day 1 Mistakes

Resource Mistakes

Mistake Why Bad Solution
Spreading resources Weak team Focus 1 DPS
Ignoring weapons Huge damage loss Weapon = Character level
Wasting Sanity Lost materials Spend before cap
Random pulls Wasted pity Plan before pulling

AIC Mistakes

Mistake Why Bad Solution
Ignoring AIC Lost passive income Set up Day 1
No power planning Factories stop Build Thermal Banks first
Manual mining Wasted time Switch to Electric ASAP
Overcomplicated early Confusing Simple lines first

Daily Routine (After Day 1)

5-Minute Speedrun

Time Task
30 sec Login + Collect mail
30 sec Collect AIC products
30 sec Refill batteries
2 min Auto-battle Sanity spend
30 sec Daily mission rewards

Weekly Musts

Task Priority Reward
Weekly Boss (3x) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Unique materials
Weekly missions ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Orundum
Event shops ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Bonus value
Guild activities ⭐⭐⭐ Guild currency

Progression Milestones

Account Level Targets

Level Unlocks Target
10 Basic AIC Day 1
15 Full systems Day 1
20 More AIC nodes Day 2-3
30 Umbral Monument Week 1
40 High difficulty Week 2

When to Tackle Each Content

Content When Ready Why
Story Immediately Unlocks systems
AIC Setup Day 1 Passive income
Umbral Monument Normal Week 1 Testing endgame
Umbral Monument Agony Week 2+ Main DPS 60+
Abyss Week 2+ Needs team diversity

Tips from Veterans

Golden Rules

  1. Sanity never caps - Set alarms if needed
  2. AIC runs 24/7 - Check morning + night
  3. Weapons are multiplicative - Don't neglect them
  4. 120 or don't pull - Respect pity system
  5. Reactions matter - Build teams around them

Day 1 Goals Summary

✓ Tutorial complete
✓ Mail claimed
✓ Codes redeemed
✓ Beginner banner done
✓ AIC running with electric rigs
✓ Relay towers connecting mines
✓ Account Level 15
✓ Main DPS selected and invested

References