Umbral Monument Endgame Guide: Strategies, Teams & Rewards
Version: 1.0 | Read time: 25 min | Updated: 2026-02-18 Sources: game8.co, ldshop.gg, gamerant.com
What is Umbral Monument?
Umbral Monument is Arknights: Endfield's first permanent high-difficulty endgame mode. It features challenging combat stages with strict team composition rules and unique mechanics. The mode receives periodic content updates with new Series.
Unlock Requirements
- Clear main mission: Chapter I Process II: Paving the Way
- Reach Authority Level 30
Game Mechanics
Mode Structure
| Mode | Description | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Standard difficulty | Engraved Medal |
| Agony | Significantly harder | Trimmed Medal |
Clear Normal to unlock Agony for each stage.
Core Rules
- Team Limit: 4 operators per battle
- Time Limit: 10 minutes per stage
- Tacticals: Allowed in Normal, prohibited in Agony
- Series Content: Rotating challenges over time
Current Series (Zeroth Directive)
| Series | Open Date |
|---|---|
| Those Forsaken by the Land | 2026/02/12 |
| Inorganic Construct | 2026/02/26 |
Stage Strategies
Survive the Gas
Mechanic: Poisonous fog constantly chips HP, but healing your controlled operator echoes to squad.
Strategy:
- Prioritize operators with sustain or self-healing
- Stagger the Vanguard to break its shield
- Avoid Siegeknuckles' dropped armor scales
- Dodge Infiltrator darts for counter-windows
Recommended: Ardelia (healing), Laevatain (AoE clear)
Unorthodox Tactics
Mechanic: Enemies gain ATK over time (visible under HP bars). Don't stall—play aggressively.
Strategy:
- Focus Nidwyrms first—corrosive puddles melt melee
- Keep moving to avoid bolt damage from Ambushers
- Burst damage over sustained plays
Recommended: Burst DPS teams, Heat or Cryo
Ballista and Axe
Mechanic: Executioner + Ballista tag team. Interrupts are key.
Strategy:
- Sprint away from opening arrow barrage
- Focus Executioner first—interrupt his grab attack
- Charged axe swings and rock-throws are interruptible
- When Ballista descends, interrupt charged moves or kite wide
- Both return at half HP—survive first, flex later
Recommended: High interrupt teams, Gilberta for control
Stop the Shield
Mechanic: Shielded enemies require specific damage types to break.
Strategy:
- Bring mixed damage types
- Focus shield-bearers first
- Use elemental reactions to amplify
Encircled by Arrows
Mechanic: Ranged enemies from multiple angles.
Strategy:
- Mobility is key
- Clear in prioritized waves
- Use AoE to hit grouped enemies
Steady as Rock
Mechanic: High-defense enemies with slow attacks.
Strategy:
- DEF shred is valuable
- Sustained DPS over burst
- Position to avoid telegraphed attacks
Recommended Team Compositions
Laevatain Heat Team (T0)
| Slot | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Main DPS | Laevatain | AoE destruction |
| Sub DPS | Wulfgard | Heat Infliction |
| SP Support | Akekuri | SP recovery |
| Support | Ardelia | Healing + Corrosion |
Why: Laevatain's Ultimate deletes waves. Best for AoE-heavy stages.
Yvonne Cryo Team (Boss Killer)
| Slot | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Main DPS | Yvonne | Cryo burst |
| Sub DPS | Alesh | Cryo Infliction |
| Control | Gilberta | Freeze + RES shred |
| Healer | Xaihi | Sustained healing |
Why: Single-target burst for boss stages.
Physical Team (F2P Friendly)
| Slot | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Main DPS | Endministrator | Physical core |
| Sub DPS | Chen Qianyu | Vulnerability |
| SP Support | Akekuri | SP battery |
| Support | Ardelia | Healing |
Why: Core units are FREE. Stable and consistent.
Last Rite Cryo Team
| Slot | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Main DPS | Last Rite | Cryo Striker |
| Sub DPS | Yvonne | Cryo amp |
| Control | Gilberta | Freeze |
| Support | Ardelia | Sustain |
Why: Alternative Cryo with Infliction stacking.
Rewards Overview
Completion Rewards
| Achievement | Reward |
|---|---|
| All Normal clears | Engraved Medal |
| All Agony clears | Trimmed Medal |
| First-time clears | Mark of Perseverance, Cognitive Carrier, Arms INSP Set, Protohedron |
Monumental Etching: Old Wounds
Limited-time event running during Zeroth Directive. Complete challenges for Oroberyl.
| Task | Oroberyl |
|---|---|
| Clear any stage 1 time | 150 per stage |
| Participate in Agony 5 times | 150 |
| Deal 500,000 damage in any stage | 150 |
| Enter stage 3 times | 150 |
| Deal 1,500,000 cumulative in Agony | 150 |
| Enter Agony stage 1-3 times | 150 each |
Total Oroberyl Available: 2,400+
Event End Dates:
- Those Forsaken: Before Feb 13, 2026 maintenance
- Inorganic Construct: Before Feb 24, 2026 maintenance
Agony Mode Tips
Key Differences
- No Tacticals available
- Significantly increased enemy stats
- Tighter time windows
- Rewards trimmed medal variants
Preparation Checklist
- Main DPS level 60+
- Core team skills 6/6/6
- 4pc gear sets equipped
- Learn Normal stage mechanics first
- Build interrupt-capable units
Survival Priority
- Don't die to mechanics—learn tells
- Time management—10 min is tight
- DPS check—bring optimized builds
- Team synergy—reactions matter
Quick Reference
Stage Difficulty Ranking
| Stage | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Survive the Gas | ⭐⭐ | Heal-check |
| Unorthodox Tactics | ⭐⭐⭐ | DPS-check |
| Ballista and Axe | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Interrupt-check |
| Stop the Shield | ⭐⭐⭐ | Element variety |
| Encircled by Arrows | ⭐⭐⭐ | Positioning |
| Steady as Rock | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | DEF shred |
Universal Tips
- Scout enemy Intel before entering
- Check recommended level in stage select
- Normal attempts cost nothing—practice freely
- Agony attempts should be confident runs