On the first day of playing Arknights: Endfield, leveling up your operators quickly makes a huge difference. Early progression can feel smooth or painfully slow depending on how you manage your time, sanity, and resources. Since many systems are already connected from the start, one wrong move can delay your growth. This guide focuses on the most efficient way to level up operators on day one, helping you gain power fast without wasting sanity or grinding longer than necessary. Also check out our Arknights Endfield Codes for more rewards!
Day One Priority: Never Let Sanity Stay Full
At the start of the game, your sanity cap is very low and fills up fast. One of the biggest beginner mistakes is letting sanity sit at full. When that happens, you are losing potential progress every minute.
As soon as the first Protocol Space for operator EXP becomes available, spend all your sanity there, starting from Trial Level 1. Even though the stage is simple, it is extremely effective on day one because it:
- Provides steady operator EXP
- Helps clear daily missions naturally
- Boosts Authority Level faster
Authority Level is critical early on since it controls operator level caps and unlocks new content.
Use Daily Missions and Protocol Pass Immediately
Daily missions in Endfield are simple and naturally align with normal gameplay. Completing them gives account EXP, resources, and Protocol Pass points. From the first day, make sure you:
- Spend all available sanity
- Clear Protocol Space trials
- Claim rewards from Operational Manual and Notes
The Protocol Pass often includes EXP items and promotion materials, which are very valuable on day one when resources are limited.
Focus Only on Core Operators
Do not try to level every operator you get on the first day. Instead, choose two or three core operators that you use most often and invest all EXP into them. This approach works better because:
- Early EXP resources are limited
- High-level operators clear stages faster
- It is easier to reach level 15 efficiently
Damage-focused operators should usually be your top priority since they speed up combat and exploration.
Explore the Map for Extra EXP
Sanity is not the only source of progress. Exploration gives a surprising amount of account EXP, which many players underestimate on day one.
Make sure to:
- Collect all Protocol Data Loggers
- Open chests and interactive pouches
- Defeat elite enemies guarding rewards
- Activate Temporary Energy Alveum
- Complete small map events and puzzles
All of these activities increase account EXP, which helps unlock content sooner and indirectly improves operator leveling speed.
Farm Promotion Materials While Gaining EXP
When the main quest asks you to reach a certain operator level, usually around level 15, use your remaining sanity in Promotion-focused Protocol Space stages. These stages are efficient because they:
- Provide promotion materials and account EXP at the same time
- Reduce the need for extra farming on later days
- Prepare your operators for Elite Promotion earlier
This makes your team stronger faster and helps you handle upcoming content more easily.
Claim Every Reward Before Logging Out
Before ending your first session, always check and claim rewards from:
- Operational Manual
- Notes
- Milestone rewards at the top of the menu
Many players forget these sections, even though they often contain EXP items and important materials that significantly boost early progress.
Leveling up operators in Arknights: Endfield on day one is very manageable if you understand the right priorities. The key points are spending sanity as soon as possible, focusing on a small core team, and actively exploring the map.
With the right approach, reaching operator level 15 on the first day is completely realistic without excessive grinding. A strong early foundation will make progression in the following days feel much smoother and more enjoyable.