Arknights: endfield, complete 2026 guide

Arknights: endfield transforms the tower defense formula of its predecessor into real-time action rpg. this guide covers everything you need to dominate talos-ii.

What is arknights: endfield?

Arknights: endfield is a free-to-play 3d action rpg that reimagines the arknights universe. unlike the original game, endfield offers real-time combat in semi-open zones with strategic elements and factory building systems.

Developed by hypergryph and mountain contour, published by gryphline, the game launched worldwide on january 22, 2026. available on playstation 5, windows pc, ios and android with cross-save across all platforms.

The free-to-play model includes a gacha system for characters (called operators) and weapons. you can progress as free-to-play with good resource management.

The game’s uniqueness: a 50/50 balance between rpg combat and factory automation. think genshin impact meets factorio.

Story and world talos-ii explained

The game takes place on talos-ii, a moon in the same universe as the original arknights (planet terra). you play as the endministrator, leader of endfield industries with the unique ability to manipulate originium.

Talos-ii experienced a failed colonization decades ago during the first aggeloi war. your mission: explore the frontier and rebuild civilization.

Main threats are corruption (blight) that spreads like a technological disease, aggeloi (mysterious biomechanical creatures), and rival factions wanting the same resources.

The connection to terra appears gradually through the story. the tone stays serious but never too dark, with characters who joke around and build something positive.

Arknights: endfield gameplay

Real-time combat system

Combat abandons tower defense for direct action. you control 4 operators simultaneously, one directly and others via ai. you can switch between them without interruption.

Each operator has light attacks (fast), heavy attacks (powerful but slow), and tactical skills that consume sp. combos end with a final strike that restores sp.

The stagger system creates combat rhythm. your heavy attacks and skills fill a bar under the enemy’s health. when full, the enemy becomes vulnerable to a devastating finisher attack.

Perfect dodges (at the exact moment of enemy attack) negate damage and restore stamina and sp.

Elemental reactions work like genshin impact. heat + cryo = melt for amplified damage. electric + water = conductivity that spreads damage. building a team with multiple elements maximizes reactions.

Exploration and semi-open zones

Zones are large and freely explorable like monster hunter or genshin impact. each zone contains resources, enemy camps, hidden caves and lore fragments.

You establish mining outposts at rich deposits and connect them to your base via ziplines. resources accumulate automatically.

Missions mix main story, side contracts and exploration objectives. completing activities increases regional development level, unlocking better resource nodes.

Factory building and management

The factory system offers genuine depth. you place machines, conveyors, manage power supply and optimize production flows.

Complexity increases: early = ore → ingot → basic component. endgame = massive networks with dozens of machines and multi-stage refinement chains.

Automation is the ultimate goal. your factories collect, transform and store resources while you fight. best factories are self-sufficient.

Factories directly support combat. better weapons and equipment require processed materials. you can’t ignore factories if you want to progress efficiently.

Operators, classes and elements

Six main classes with distinct roles:

Guards: agile melee dps, excellent for combos and building stagger quickly.

Strikers: burst damage and elemental application, massive hits but slow.

Defenders: frontline tanks with high hp and defensive skills.

Casters: ranged elemental damage and zone control.

Supporters: heal, buffs and essential utilities for team survival.

Vanguards: mobility and tactical disruption with unique movement abilities.

The elemental system adds strategy. main elements: heat (fire), cryo (ice), nature (earth/poison), electric (lightning), physical (non-elemental).

Elemental inflictions work through application then reaction. apply cryo, then attack with heat = melt with amplified damage. different combinations create freeze, burn, overload.

Team synergy matters more than individual rarity. a well-invested 4-star often outperforms a neglected 6-star. focus on operators that work together.

Arknights: endfield gacha system

The gacha system separates character acquisition (headhunting) and weapons (arsenal exchange).

Oroberyl: basic gacha currency. 500 per single pull, 5000 per 10-pull. obtained through gameplay.

Origeometry: premium currency bought with real money. converts 1:1 to oroberyl.

Headhunting permits: free pull tickets. basic hh for standard banner, chartered hh for limited banners.

Arsenal tickets: separate currency for weapon gacha. obtained by pulling on character banners.

Banner types

New horizons (beginners): guarantees a 6-star in 40 pulls. all 40 pulls are free via progression rewards. you also receive a weapon selector.

Basic headhunting: permanent standard banner. main incentive = free selector after 300 total pulls.

Chartered headhunting: limited banners with rate-up operators. rotation every few weeks. limited operators don’t join the standard pool.

Arsenal exchange: weapon banner using arsenal tickets. each attempt = 10-pull of weapons.

Pity system explained

Base 6-star rate: 0.8% per pull. 5-star: 8% per pull.

Soft pity: starts at pull 65. each pull from 65 to 79 increases 6-star rate by 5%. soft pity transfers between banners.

Hard pity: at pull 80, guaranteed 6-star. but it’s a 50/50 — equal chances of getting the featured operator or a random 6-star.

120-pull guarantee: the real safety net. if you don’t have the featured operator by pull 119, pull 120 will absolutely be the featured operator. this guarantee resets when the banner ends.

Weapon banner different: after 40 pulls without 6-star weapon, pull 41-50 guarantees a random 6-star weapon. after 80 pulls, featured weapon guaranteed. weapon pity doesn’t transfer between banners.

Free pulls and early game rewards

New players receive:

• 40 free pulls on new horizons (guaranteed 6-star + weapon selector)
• 300 total free pulls via launch rewards
• guaranteed 6-star in first week login rewards
• substantial oroberyl for completing first region

These rewards let you build a functional roster quickly before resources slow down in endgame.

Free operators and early progression

The game gives you several capable operators for free:

Endministrator (player character): flexible guard with good dps and free upgrades tied to story. stays viable in endgame.

Ember: defender for frontline tanking.

Ardelia: supporter with heal.

Pogranichnik: vanguard for mobility.

These free operators are genuinely useful, not placeholders. each fills a key role and stays viable until mid-game. team synergy matters more than rarity.

Beginner tips for strong start

Team building: aim for 1 tank, 1 healer, 2 dps with different elements.

Avoid resource waste: invest in 4-6 operators instead of spreading materials across entire roster.

Banner planning: don’t pull randomly. choose one limited operator, save 120 pulls, then commit.

Master fundamentals: practice perfect dodges, learn enemy patterns, understand which attacks build stagger efficiently.

Don’t neglect factories: even a basic factory outperforms manual farming. spend 30 minutes setting up production lines early.

Explore thoroughly: don’t rush main story. each zone contains resource nodes, chests and side missions.

Daily routines: complete daily commissions for consistent resource income. clear weekly routine missions for arsenal tickets.

System requirements and platforms

Ps5 performance

The ps5 version offers premium experience: native 4k, consistent framerates, ray tracing, instant loading. full dualsense integration with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback.

Download size: approximately 60gb.

Pc configuration

Minimum (1080p/30fps low settings):

• windows 10/11 64-bit
• cpu: intel i5-9400f or amd equivalent
• gpu: nvidia gtx 1060 6gb
• ram: 16gb
• storage: 50gb ssd recommended

Recommended (1080p/60fps high settings):

• windows 10/11 64-bit
• cpu: intel i7-10700k or amd equivalent
• gpu: nvidia rtx 2060
• ram: 32gb
• storage: 50gb ssd

Install on ssd for fast loading. the game is memory-intensive.

Mobile optimization

Android minimum:

• chipset: snapdragon 855, dimensity 1000, kirin 990
• ram: 6gb (8gb recommended)
• storage: 25gb
• os: android 8.0+

Ios minimum:

• iphone 11, ipad a13 or newer
• storage: 25gb
• os: ios 15+

Mobile performance varies by device. 2022+ flagships offer smooth 60fps. older devices work but with reduced settings.

Cross-save between mobile and other platforms works perfectly.

Final verdict is arknights: endfield worth it?

Strengths

Solid combat system that rewards skill and strategy. combo skills, elemental reactions and stagger create engaging gameplay.

Factories offer surprising depth for a gacha. satisfying automation for those who like optimization.

Excellent visual presentation. distinct character designs, atmospheric environments, technically polished ps5 version.

Story offers depth without becoming impenetrable. frontier survival narrative with likeable characters.

Generous toward free-to-play. you can progress without paying with good resource management.

Weaknesses

Gacha system remains predatory. 120-pull guarantee helps but creates fomo pressure for limited characters.

Complexity can overwhelm new players. steep learning curve with multiple systems to master.

Multiple currencies create confusion: oroberyl, arsenal tickets, regional currencies, factory materials.

Mobile performance on older devices struggles.

Who will love it

Action rpg fans wanting depth beyond button mashing.

Genshin impact, honkai impact 3rd players looking for more complex endgame systems.

Original arknights fans curious about franchise evolution.

Factory building enthusiasts who normally avoid gachas.

Patient free-to-play grinders.

Long-term potential

Solid foundation. gameplay loop — exploration, combat, factories — creates natural variety. regular updates promise ongoing engagement.

Community tools (team builders, factory planners) already emerging.

Endfield offers 40-60 hours initial content with endgame systems supporting continued engagement.

Conclusion: arknights: endfield successfully transitions to action rpg while adding unique factory building elements. not perfect — gacha stays gacha, complexity can overwhelm — but core experience offers genuine quality. if you’re looking for gacha with real gameplay depth, solid production values and respect for non-payers, endfield deserves your time. just plan for 120 pulls for guaranteed limited operators and don’t neglect those factories.