Arknights Endfield Beginner Guide: Day One Tips 2026

Glyphiq

Arknights Endfield Beginner Guide: Day One Tips 2026

Downloaded Arknights Endfield on launch day expecting another generic gacha. Two days later I’m knee-deep in conveyor belt optimization spreadsheets and debating elemental reaction chains with strangers on Discord. This game hits different.

If you’re jumping in fresh, there’s a lot to process. Action combat, gacha mechanics, AND a full factory building system? Hypergryph really said “let’s combine three genres and see what happens.”

Here’s everything I wish I knew on day one – no fluff, just the stuff that actually matters for getting a strong start.

What Is Arknights Endfield?

Quick context if you’re completely new. Endfield is a spinoff of the original Arknights (tower defense game), but the gameplay is completely different.

What you’re getting:

  • Real-time action RPG combat (control 4 operators, switch freely)
  • Factory building system called AIC (think Factorio meets gacha)
  • Semi-open world exploration on planet Talos-II
  • Gacha for operators (characters)
  • F2P with optional spending

The game launched January 22, 2026 on PC, PS5, iOS, and Android. Cross-save works across all platforms.

Important distinction: This isn’t like Genshin or Wuthering Waves where you run around an open world doing whatever. Endfield has a heavier focus on its factory system – that’s where most of your progression resources come from.

Day One Priority: Rush Main Story

First thing – push the main story hard. Like, make it your only priority for the first several hours.

“Should I explore this area?” No. Push story.

“Should I build my factory first?” No. Push story.

“Should I—” Story. Push it.

Why Story First?

Chapter 3 unlocks the full AIC (factory) features. Until then, you’re working with training wheels. Everything before Chapter 3 is essentially a tutorial.

The game gates pretty much all meaningful progression behind story completion:

  • Level caps increase
  • New AIC buildings unlock
  • New regions open up
  • Better gear becomes craftable

Exploration and factory optimization can wait. Story cannot.

What About Side Content?

Ignore it initially. Side quests, exploration collectibles, random events – all that stuff will be there later. The only exception is if you’re completely stuck on a story boss and need to grind levels. Otherwise, story tunnel vision.

Understanding the AIC Factory

Okay, here’s where Endfield gets weird (in a good way). The AIC – Automated Industry Complex – is basically Factorio lite built into a gacha game.

Basic Concept

You set up automated production lines that:

  1. Harvest raw materials from nodes
  2. Process them through machines
  3. Output finished products to storage
  4. All this happens automatically, even offline

This isn’t optional side content. The AIC is your primary source for:

  • Gear crafting materials
  • Operator upgrade materials
  • Tradeable goods (Stock Bills)
  • Healing items and consumables

Neglect it and you’ll hit a wall fast.

Getting Started with AIC

The core component is the PAC (Protocol Anchor Core). Place this down and you unlock building options.

Basic production chain:

  1. Harvester extracts raw materials
  2. Conveyor belt moves materials
  3. Processing machine converts them
  4. Another conveyor to storage
  5. Protocol Stash stores finished goods

Power everything with generators. No power = no automation.

Early Game AIC Tips

Don’t overthink layouts yet. Deleting and rebuilding is completely free. Zero penalty. Experiment freely.

Link everything to Protocol Stash. Items in storage auto-collect while you’re offline. Miss this and you’re leaving resources sitting in machines.

Focus on Amethyst Components early. Used for basic gear crafting. You’ll need tons of these.

Buck Capsules for trading. The Outpost trading system converts produced goods into Stock Bills – a universal currency for progression.

Pick up every new resource once. Your AI teammates learn what you’ve collected and will auto-gather those materials afterward. Grab everything at least once.

Combat Basics

Endfield combat is real-time action with four operators. You control one directly while AI handles the other three. Switch freely between them.

Core Mechanics

Stagger system: Enemies have a white bar under their HP. Fill it by attacking, and they enter a Staggered state. Trigger a Finisher for massive damage.

Elemental reactions: Operators apply elements (Heat, Cryo, etc.). Combining elements triggers reactions for bonus effects. Team order matters – left to right determines reaction sequence.

Combo Skills: Your operators have skills that chain together. The team order affects which combos trigger first.

Combat Tips for Beginners

Learn animation canceling. Heavy attacks leave you vulnerable. Cancel the recovery animation by dashing or switching operators. Getting hit during a heavy attack animation is a classic newbie mistake.

Dash-jump for mobility. Dash immediately before jumping to cover longer distances. Standard jumps often aren’t enough for platform gaps.

Don’t ignore positioning. Where you stand matters. Flanking, dodging AoEs, staying out of hazard zones – spatial awareness beats button mashing.

Let AI handle trash mobs. Switch to your main DPS for elites and bosses. AI teammates do fine against regular enemies.

Team Building 101

Resources are scarce early on. Spreading them across every operator is a trap.

Focus on One Core Team

Pick 4-5 operators and invest everything into them. One main DPS, one support, one tank-ish character, and flex picks.

Why this matters:

  • Promotion materials are limited
  • Weapon upgrades cost resources
  • Gear crafting takes time
  • A maxed A-team beats a mediocre everyone-team

Choose a Damage Type

Decide between Physical or Arts damage and build around it.

Physical teams are currently strong because Breach (physical debuff) is easy to apply. Arts teams need more setup but scale well late-game.

Don’t mix damage types early. Pick one and commit.

Team Order Matters

Your operator lineup (left to right) determines:

  • Which Combo Skills trigger first
  • Elemental reaction sequences
  • Switching priorities

Experiment with order to optimize reaction chains. Small changes can significantly impact damage output.

Gacha Strategy

Let’s talk pulling. Endfield uses standard gacha mechanics with pity systems.

Newcomer Banner Priority

This is your first target. The Newcomer Banner guarantees:

  • 6-star within first 50 pulls
  • At least one 5-star every 10 pulls
  • Generous 4-star rates

Max this out before touching other banners. It builds your roster foundation.

Who to Pull For?

Laevatain – Limited 6-star, absolute monster DPS. If she’s on banner, strongly consider pulling.

Last Rite – Physical DPS powerhouse. Great for beginners.

Ardelia – Support that synergizes with everyone. Safe investment.

Check the current tier list for up-to-date recommendations, but these three are solid starting points.

Saving vs. Spending

General advice: don’t blow everything immediately.

  • Complete Newcomer Banner (mandatory)
  • Save for limited banners (they don’t come back)
  • Standard pool characters appear randomly over time

The game is generous enough that F2P can clear all content. Patience pays off.

Resource Management

Sanity is your stamina resource. It regenerates over time and caps at a maximum.

Daily Sanity Spending

Spend all your sanity every day. Seriously.

“But what if I need it later?” There is no “later.” Sanity regenerates whether you spend it or not. Unused sanity is wasted efficiency.

Spend it on:

  • Material farming stages
  • Promotion materials
  • Whatever you need most

Hoarding sanity accomplishes nothing except slowing your progress.

Gear Priorities

Don’t stress about gear set bonuses early. Random gear with good main stats beats a complete set with bad stats.

Priority order:

  1. Level operators
  2. Level weapons
  3. Level gear
  4. Worry about set bonuses (later)

Everything has level caps that increase as you progress story. Push caps when available.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Seen these constantly in the community. Don’t be this person.

Neglecting the AIC

“I’ll build the factory later.” No you won’t. Or you will and you’ll be behind everyone else.

The AIC generates resources passively. Every hour you delay is resources you didn’t get. Set up basic automation ASAP after unlocking it.

Spreading Resources Too Thin

Raised 12 operators to level 20? Cool, you have zero operators ready for mid-game content.

Focus. Depth beats breadth early on.

Ignoring Elemental Reactions

Button mashing works… until it doesn’t. Learning reaction chains multiplies your damage significantly.

Heat + Corrosion = Combustion. Cryo + something = frozen enemies. Learn the combinations relevant to your team.

Rushing Endgame Content

This isn’t a race. Players trying to speedrun endgame with undergeared teams get stuck hard.

The game is designed as a marathon. Consistent daily progress beats burnout grinding.

Skipping Tutorial Popups

I know, I know. Nobody reads tutorials. But Endfield has genuinely useful information in those popups – especially about the AIC. At minimum, skim them once.

Daily Routine Checklist

Once you’re past the initial story rush, here’s a healthy daily loop:

  1. Spend all sanity on relevant material stages
  2. Check AIC production – empty storages, adjust lines if needed
  3. Complete daily missions for extra rewards
  4. Push story if you have time
  5. Do Outpost trades – convert goods to Stock Bills

Don’t burn yourself out trying to optimize everything. 20-30 minutes daily is plenty for meaningful progress.

Tips for Specific Playstyles

Combat-Focused Players

The action RPG part is legitimately good. Combo skills, dodging, elemental reactions – there’s depth here.

Focus on:

  • Learning operator kits thoroughly
  • Mastering animation cancels
  • Experimenting with team compositions
  • Challenging harder content for better drops

The AIC can run itself once set up. You don’t have to love factory management.

Factory-Focused Players

You’re probably already in heaven. Endfield’s AIC has surprising depth for a mobile game.

Focus on:

  • Optimizing production ratios
  • Minimizing conveyor lengths
  • Scaling Stock Bill generation
  • Planning expansion before building

Combat can be minimized – story is required, but you can let AI carry most fights.

Casual Players

Good news: Endfield respects your time more than most gacha games.

  • AIC generates resources offline
  • Daily tasks take ~20 minutes
  • Story can be paced however you want
  • No strict meta requirements for main content

Play at your pace. The factory works while you sleep.

What Comes Next?

After you’ve established basics (cleared Chapter 3, built initial AIC, formed core team), the game opens up significantly.

Mid-game priorities:

  • Push story for cap increases
  • Expand AIC production
  • Start farming gear sets
  • Build secondary operators
  • Tackle harder content

Things to research:

  • Detailed tier lists for operator investments
  • Advanced AIC layouts for efficiency
  • Elemental reaction optimization
  • Endgame boss strategies

Check out our other Arknights Endfield guides:

Final Thoughts

Arknights Endfield is dense. It throws a lot at you simultaneously – action combat, gacha mechanics, factory building, resource management. Overwhelming at first.

But here’s the thing: you don’t need to master everything immediately. Push story, build basic factory, invest in a core team. That’s it for week one.

The game rewards consistency over intensity. Log in daily, spend sanity, let the factory work, make gradual progress. You’ll be surprised how quickly things click.

Also, the factory system is way more fun than it sounds. Trust me on this one.

Welcome to Talos-II. Try not to spend too long optimizing conveyor belt layouts. (You will anyway.)

Sources: