Complete Guide to Elemental Reactions in Arknights: Endfield
Version: 1.0 | Read time: 20 min | Updated: 2026-03-04 Sources: GameWith, endfield.gg, endfield.wiki.gg, Reddit r/Endfield
Overview
Arknights: Endfield features a deep elemental combat system built around Originium Arts Infliction and Elemental Reactions. Understanding this system is crucial for maximizing your team's damage output.
The Five Damage Types
| Type | Color | Icon | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical | White ⬜ | ⚔️ | Vulnerability stacking |
| Heat | Red 🔴 | 🔥 | DoT, strong AoE |
| Electric | Yellow 🟡 | ⚡ | Damage amplification |
| Cryo | Blue 🔵 | ❄️ | Freeze control |
| Nature | Green 🟢 | 🌿 | RES reduction |
Understanding Arts Infliction
What is Arts Infliction?
When you hit an enemy with an elemental attack that has the Arts Infliction property, you apply Infliction stacks to the target. These stacks are the foundation of the reaction system.
Key Distinction: Not all elemental damage applies Infliction!
- Skills must specifically state they apply Arts Infliction
- Basic elemental damage without Infliction property won't trigger reactions
- Check operator skill descriptions carefully
Infliction Stack Mechanics
| Mechanic | Details |
|---|---|
| Stack Limit | Varies by skill (typically 1-3) |
| Duration | Time-limited decay |
| Consumption | Reactions consume Infliction stacks |
| Re-application | Can refresh or add stacks |
The Four Elemental Reactions
🔥 Combustion (燃烧)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Trigger | Apply Heat Infliction to enemy without Heat Infliction |
| Effect | Deals Heat DoT damage over time |
| Best For | Sustained damage, clearing multiple targets |
| Key Operators | Laevatain, Wulfgard |
Team Strategy: Heat teams excel at AoE damage. Pair Heat Infliction providers with Nature for Corrosion combo.
⚡ Electrification (感电)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Trigger | Apply Electric Infliction to enemy without Electric Infliction |
| Effect | Target takes increased Originium (Arts) damage |
| Best For | Amplifying burst damage |
| Key Operators | Arclight, Avywenna |
Team Strategy: Electrification is a damage multiplier. Apply it first, then burst with high-damage skills for massive amplification.
❄️ Solidification (凝固)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Trigger | Apply Cryo Infliction to enemy without Cryo Infliction |
| Effect | Freezes small enemies, staggers large enemies |
| Special | Frozen + Physical State = Shatter (massive Physical damage) |
| Key Operators | Yvonne, Alesh, Fluorite |
Team Strategy: Cryo teams provide crowd control AND damage. The Shatter mechanic with Physical attacks deals bonus HP%-based damage.
Shatter Mechanic Deep Dive
| Requirement | Result |
|---|---|
| Solidified (frozen) enemy | Setup |
| + Physical State (Lift/Knockdown) | = SHATTER |
| Shatter Damage | % of enemy max HP |
This makes Yvonne + Endministrator a powerful combination!
🌿 Corrosion (腐蚀)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Trigger | Apply Nature Infliction to enemy without Nature Infliction |
| Effect | Enemy's Originium RES decreases over time |
| Duration | Continues to reduce RES while active |
| Key Operators | Ardelia, Gilberta |
Team Strategy: Corrosion is a debuff that increases all Arts damage taken. Apply Nature early, then layer other elements.
Physical System: Vulnerability
Physical damage uses a completely different system based on Physical States and Vulnerability stacks.
Physical States
| State | Effect | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Lifted | Enemy launched, vulnerable | Combo skills, certain attacks |
| Knocked Down | Enemy down, vulnerable | Heavy attacks, finishers |
| Crushed | Consumes Vulnerable stacks, big damage | Battle Skills (e.g., Endministrator E) |
| Breached | Consumes Vulnerable, Physical amp | Finisher attacks |
Vulnerability Stacking
| Stacks | Physical DMG Increase |
|---|---|
| 1 | +10% |
| 2 | +20% |
| 3 | +30% |
| 4 | +40% |
| 5 (cap) | +50% |
Key Operators for Vulnerability: Chen Qianyu (stacker), Endministrator (consumer)
Reaction Interaction Chart
| Applied → | Heat | Electric | Cryo | Nature | Physical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | Combustion | Electrification | Solidification | Corrosion | N/A |
| Electric | Combustion | Electrification | Solidification | Corrosion | N/A |
| Cryo | Combustion | Electrification | Solidification | Corrosion | Shatter* |
| Nature | Combustion | Electrification | Solidification | Corrosion | N/A |
*Shatter requires Solidification + Physical State, not just Physical damage.
Art Burst System
When you apply the same element to an already-inflicted enemy, instead of a reaction you trigger Art Burst:
| Condition | Result |
|---|---|
| Heat + Heat | Heat Art Burst (bonus Heat damage) |
| Electric + Electric | Electric Art Burst |
| Cryo + Cryo | Cryo Art Burst |
| Nature + Nature | Nature Art Burst |
Use Case: Mono-element teams can still stack damage through Art Bursts, though mixed teams often outdamage them through reactions.
Combo Skills & Reactions
What Are Combo Skills?
Many operators have Combo Skills that trigger under specific conditions, often tied to reactions:
| Operator | Combo Trigger | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Chen Qianyu | Ally Finishing Blow | Apply Lift + Vulnerable |
| Laevatain | Enemy in Combustion/Corrosion | +1 Melting Flame stack |
| Arclight | Consume Electrification | SP recovery + damage |
| Alesh | Cryo Infliction present | Force Solidification |
Combo Skill Rotation Example
Laevatain Heat Team:
1. Wulfgard applies Heat Infliction
2. Ardelia applies Nature Infliction → Corrosion triggers
3. Laevatain Combo Skill activates (enemy in Corrosion)
4. Laevatain gains Melting Flame stack
5. At 4 stacks → Enhanced Battle Skill
6. Massive AoE burst
Building Teams Around Reactions
T0 Reaction Combinations
| Combination | Effect | Best Team |
|---|---|---|
| Heat + Nature | Combustion + Corrosion | Laevatain team |
| Cryo + Physical | Solidification → Shatter | Yvonne + Endministrator |
| Electric + Any | Electrification = DMG amp | Arclight support |
| Nature + Any | Corrosion = RES shred | Universal buff |
Team Building Priority
- Main DPS element - Choose your damage type
- Reaction enabler - Who provides the secondary element
- Synergy with Combo Skills - Check trigger conditions
- SP sustainability - Skills need SP to function
Advanced Tips
Reaction Timing
- Apply debuffs first (Corrosion, Electrification)
- Then burst damage - Reactions provide damage amp
- Consume at right moment - Arclight/Alesh timing matters
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong reaction order | Lost damage amp | Apply Nature/Electric first |
| Consuming too early | No stacks for burst | Wait for full rotation |
| Mono-element only | Missing reaction bonus | Add secondary element |
| Ignoring Physical States | No Vulnerability | Use Lift/Knockdown skills |
Quick Reference Chart
Reaction Priority by DPS Type
| Main DPS | Primary Reaction | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Laevatain (Heat) | Combustion | Corrosion |
| Yvonne (Cryo) | Solidification | Shatter |
| Arclight (Electric) | Electrification | Any |
| Endministrator (Physical) | Vulnerability | Shatter |