Arknights Endfield is very different from traditional stage-based Arknights gameplay. Real-time combat, open-world exploration, shared skill resources, and complex banner rules can feel overwhelming at first. Understanding the core systems early will save you time, resources, and frustration.
This beginner guide breaks down movement, combat, team building, gear, and the gacha system in a clear and practical way so you can progress efficiently from the start. Also check out our Arknights Endfield Redeem Codes for more rewards!
1. Movement, Gathering, Stamina, and Early Tips
Before focusing on combat, learning how to move and collect resources properly is crucial.
- Dash Jump for Distance A normal jump often isn’t enough. Dashing right before jumping gives extra momentum, letting you cross wide gaps and reach higher platforms.
- Aerial Attacks for Extra Height If a resource is slightly out of reach, use an aerial attack mid-jump. The animation adds a small height boost that is often just enough.
- One-Time Resource Rule AI-controlled operators only gather materials you have collected manually at least once. Make it a habit to pick up every new resource you see. After that, your team will auto-collect drops and help with base tasks like farming.
- Sanity-Saving Trick You can enter a dungeon, clear Level 1, and exit without claiming rewards. This unlocks Level 2 while preserving Sanity for higher-value drops later.
- Mining Progression Tip Early Portable Originium Rigs require manual collection and frequent trips. Replace them as soon as Electric Mining Rigs are unlocked. Pair them with Relay Towers and Electric Pylons to automate ore delivery straight to storage.
2. Team Composition and Damage Types
Endfield teams are built around damage archetypes rather than rarity alone. There are three main types.
Physical Teams
Physical teams rely on debuffs and crowd control to create burst windows.
Core flow:
- Apply Vulnerable
- Use Lift or Knock Down to stack more Vulnerable
- Finish with Crush or Breach
Key mechanics:
- Lift: Launches enemies and increases Stagger
- Knock Down: Slams enemies and builds Stagger
- Crush: Consumes Vulnerable for massive damage
- Breach: Consumes Vulnerable and breaks defenses
Recommended teams:
- Pure Physical: Endministrator, Chen Qianyu, Da Pan, Catcher
- Mixed Physical: Endministrator, Chen Qianyu, Perlica, Estella
Arts Teams
Arts teams focus on elemental status effects and reactions.
Arts Burst
Triggered by stacking the same element (example: Cryo + Cryo). Delivers high instant damage.
Arts Reaction
Triggered by combining different elements (example: Cryo + Heat). Applies crowd control, damage over time, or debuffs.
Main elements:
- Heat (Combustion)
- Cryo (Solidification)
- Electric (Electrification)
- Nature (Corrosion)
Recommended teams:
- Heat: Ember, Ardelia, Akekuri, Antal
- Cryo: Last Rite, Ardelia, Xaihi, Akekuri
- Electric: Avywenna, Arclight, Perlica, Antal
Aether Teams
Aether damage exists in the system, but no playable operators currently use it. This is expected to expand in future updates.
3. Stagger, Animation Canceling, and Skill Flow
- Stagger System Elite enemies have a Stagger gauge beneath their HP. Filling it to a Stagger Node interrupts actions and immobilizes the enemy briefly, creating a safe damage window.
- Animation Canceling Operators perform a Heavy Attack after several normal hits. While powerful, Heavy Attacks have long recovery animations. Cancel the backswing immediately with a dodge, Battle Skill, or Combo Skill to maintain DPS.
- Off-Field Casting You can activate skills from operators you are not currently controlling. This allows your main DPS to keep attacking while support skills trigger in the background.
4. Battle Skills, Combo Skills, and Shared SP
All four operators share a single Skill Point pool with a maximum of three.
- Battle Skills: Cost 1 SP, no cooldown
- Combo Skills: Cost 0 SP, have cooldowns and trigger conditions
- Ultimates: Require full energy
Efficient gameplay revolves around chaining effects. For example, apply Solidification with one operator, then trigger a Combo Skill from another that benefits from that condition.
5. Beginner Gear Guide – Stats Matter More Than Sets
Gear stats are fixed, but different versions allow stat selection. Priority order:
- Main and Sub Stats – Match the operator’s core stat (STR, AGI, INT, WILL). Two main stats are far more valuable than multiple sub stats.
- Skill Damage Bonuses – Percentage boosts that match the operator’s role.
- Set Effects – Important mainly in late-game when level 70 gear becomes available.
Most gear comes from the AIC system, making early optimization accessible.
6. Arknights Endfield Gacha System Explained
New Horizons Banner (Beginner Banner)
- Up to 40 pulls
- Guarantees one 6-star operator and one 6-star weapon selector
Basic Banner (Permanent)
- Hard pity at 80 pulls
- Soft pity starts at 65
- After 300 pulls, you can select a standard 6-star operator
Chartered Banner (Featured Operator)
- 50/50 chance when pulling a 6-star
- No guarantee carryover
- 120 pulls on the same banner guarantees the featured operator
Important distinction:
- 0/80 determines when you get any 6-star
- 0/120 guarantees the featured unit and resets when the banner ends
7. Weapon Gacha – Arsenal Exchange
- Only 10-pulls available
- Costs 1,980 Arsenal Tickets per pull
- Base 6-star weapon rate is 4%
Milestone system:
- 4 pulls: guaranteed 6-star weapon
- 8 pulls: guaranteed featured 6-star weapon
- 10 pulls: Arms Offering Crate (choose a non-featured 6-star)
Progress does not carry over between weapon banners.
Arknights Endfield rewards players who understand its systems early. Master movement, focus on elemental synergy, manage shared skill points carefully, and pull banners with clear goals. Whether you prefer physical crowd control or elemental reactions, smart planning will carry you much further than raw stats alone. Take your time, build efficiently, and Talos-II will become far less intimidating as your Endministrator journey continues.