Arknights: Endfield throws a lot of mechanics at players right from the start. Operators, elements, gear, weapons, automation, and gacha systems all unlock quickly, which can feel confusing if you do not know what to prioritize.
This guide rewrites and simplifies everything you need to understand on day one. The focus is not on advanced theory, but on building a solid foundation so your early progress feels smooth instead of overwhelming. Also check out our Arknights Endfield Codes for more rewards!
1. Operator Fundamentals: Roles and Damage Types
Each operator has many details, but on day one, only two things truly matter: role and damage type.
Understanding Operator Roles
Instead of memorizing all available classes, group operators into two practical roles:
- Damage-focused operators: Responsible for clearing enemies fast
- Utility operators: Provide healing, buffs, control, or setup
This approach helps you build a balanced team without wasting time on complex synergy early on.
Damage Types Overview
There are five damage types in Endfield:
- Physical
- Heat
- Electric
- Cryo
- Nature
Physical damage follows its own rules, while the four elemental types interact with each other through reaction mechanics.
2. How Physical Damage and Vulnerable Works
Physical teams rely on a system called Vulnerable stacks. Certain skills apply or consume these stacks using four effects:
- Lift
- Knockdown
- Crush
- Breach
Lift and Knockdown increase Vulnerable stacks, while Crush and Breach spend them to deal extra damage. Enemies can hold up to four stacks at once. Managing this loop correctly makes physical operators much stronger.
3. Elemental Combat: Inflictions, Bursts, and Reactions
Elemental damage in Endfield rewards mixing elements rather than focusing on just one.
- Arts Inflictions are elemental stacks applied by attacks
- Arts Bursts activate when the same element is applied twice
- Arts Reactions trigger when two different elements combine
The order of elements matters. For example:
- Cryo followed by Heat causes Combustion
- Heat followed by Cryo causes Solidification
This system becomes more important later, but early on, just remember that combining elements is a good thing.
4. Stagger Meter and Finisher Attacks
Enemies have a stagger bar that fills as they take damage. Once it is full, the enemy becomes staggered and unable to act.
During this state:
- The first normal attack becomes a Finisher
- Finishers deal high damage and restore skill points
Stagger is very useful against elite enemies and bosses, especially early when resources are limited.
5. Attributes, Levels, and Promotions
Operators scale based on four attributes:
- Strength
- Agility
- Intellect
- Will
Each operator has one main attribute and one secondary attribute:
- Main attribute gives a large attack bonus
- Secondary attribute gives a smaller bonus
Operators can reach level 99, with Elite Promotions at levels 20, 40, 60, and 80. Promotions unlock talents and raise skill limits, making them a major power spike.
6. Combat Skills and Skill Investment
Every operator comes with four skills:
- Basic skill
- Battle skill
- Combo skill
- Ultimate skill
Skills can be leveled up to rank 9. After that, mastery upgrades become available, but they require rare materials. Since these resources are limited early, only invest in operators you plan to use long-term.
7. Duplicate Operators and Potentials
Getting duplicate operators unlocks Potentials, which provide small bonuses such as:
- Higher damage
- Faster cooldowns
- Better energy gain
Potentials are helpful but not mandatory. Endfield does not heavily lock power behind duplicates, making it friendly for free-to-play players.
8. Gear System Explained Simply
Each operator equips:
- Armor
- Gloves
- Two Kits
- One Tactical item
Some gear belongs to sets. Equipping three pieces activates a set bonus. Gear has fixed stats with no random rolls, so you always know what you are getting.
Crafting allows you to choose different stat variants, but enhancement systems like artifising unlock much later and can be ignored on day one.
9. Weapon System Basics
Weapons are tied to operator types and can be leveled up to 99. Each weapon has:
- Attribute bonus
- Stat bonus (crit, HP, damage modifiers)
- Special effect on higher rarity weapons
Three-star weapons lack special effects and are mainly temporary options. Weapon traits improve through tuning and duplicates, while trait leveling uses resources unlocked later in the game.
10. Gacha Banners You Should Know
Beginner Banner (New Horizons)
- Limited to 40 pulls
- Guaranteed 6-star operator at 40 pulls
- Includes a selectable 6-star weapon
This banner is the safest place to spend your early pulls.
Standard Banner
- Hard pity at 80 pulls
- After 300 pulls, you can choose a standard 6-star
Best for long-term pulling plans.
Featured Banner
- Soft pity starts at 65 pulls
- 80 pulls guarantees a 6-star
- 120 pulls guarantees the featured unit
The guarantee does not carry over, so pull carefully.
Weapon Banner (Arsenal Exchange)
- Uses tickets from character pulls
- 4 attempts guarantee a 6-star weapon
- 8 attempts guarantee the featured weapon
Some weapons can also be bought directly from the shop.
11. Day 1 Automation Priority
Your main industrial goal early on is automating Originium Ore farming.
Once electric mining becomes available:
- Replace portable rigs with electric ones
- Use relay towers and pylons
- Connect everything to the automation core
A stable automated setup greatly speeds up progression and resource flow.
12. Efficient Path to Operator Level 15
To reach level 15 quickly on day one:
- Spend all sanity in EXP and Promotion Protocol Space
- Fully explore available maps
- Collect Protocol Data Loggers
- Activate Temporary Energy Alveum
- Open every chest and defeat elite guards
- Claim rewards from Operational Manual and Notes
This method makes level 15 very achievable without heavy grinding.
Arknights: Endfield feels complex at first glance, but day one becomes much more manageable when you understand the core systems. Focus on basic operator mechanics, spend your sanity efficiently, automate your industry early, and avoid rushing pulls without a plan. A strong first-day setup sets the tone for your entire account, making future content easier, faster, and far more enjoyable.