FREE 6-Star Operator & Who To Choose? Arknights Endfield

Hey there, Endministrators! Have you logged into Arknights: Endfield today? If not, you're missing out on a massive surprise waiting in your in-game mailbox. Following the February 5, 2026 update, the developers have gifted every single player a free Designation Selection Permit — a ticket to instantly recruit any 6-Star Operator from the standard banner. This is a huge boon for team-building, whether you're just starting out or looking to fill a critical gap in your roster.

The choice can be overwhelming, so this guide will break down each option. We'll cover the absolute best picks for most players, strong alternatives, and who to consider for specific team strategies.

How to Claim and Use

First, let's get you that Operator! The process is straightforward:

1. Complete the Mission: You must finish the first main mission, "Break the Siege," which comes right after the game's prologue.

2. Check Your Mail: Once the mission is done, the Designation Selection Permit will be delivered to your in-game mailbox.

3. Use the Permit: Open your Protosync menu, navigate to the Valuables Stash, and find the permit in the Valuables tab. Select "Use" to bring up the selection screen.

*Important: The in-game mail containing the permit expires on February 5, 2027, so make sure to claim it before then. Once claimed, the selector item itself does not expire.*

You will be able to choose one of the following five standard 6-Star Operators: Ardelia, Ember, Last Rite, Lifeng, and Pogranichnik.

Top Priority Pick: Last Rite

For the vast majority of players, especially those lacking a top-tier damage dealer, Last Rite is the number one recommendation.

★★★★★★｜Striker｜Greatsword｜Cryo

Role: Ice/DPS Core Carry.

Last Rite is a premier, single-target Cryo DPS in Arknights: Endfield. Functioning as a Striker with a frost greatsword, her entire kit is hyper-focused on dealing massive Cryo damage. She serves as the essential core damage engine for any Cryo-focused team. Her power comes from applying and consuming "Cryo Infliction" stacks to trigger high burst damage via her Combo and Ultimate skills. While she offers exceptional damage, she provides little team utility or crowd control, making her highly reliant on supportive teammates to enable her full potential.

Why She's #1: Last Rite is arguably the strongest main damage dealer (carry) available in the standard pool. She specializes in massive single-target and burst damage, capable of deleting elite enemies and bosses. While her full potential is unlocked with a dedicated ice team to apply "Chill" effects for her to consume, her raw damage output is formidable even in less optimized setups.

Best For: Players who need a reliable, future-proof main DPS. She fills a role that is crucial for all content.

To maximize her, you'll want teammates that can apply "Chill" status effects. Operators like Xaihi are often recommended to enable her fully.

 

Excellent Secondary Choices

If you already have a solid main DPS like the limited operator Laevatain or Yvonne, your best move is to strengthen your physical team core. Here, two Operators stand out.

Pogranichnik

★★★★★★ |Vanguard |Sword | Physical

Role: Physical Support/Sub-DPS.

Why He's Great: Pogranichnik is not just a damage dealer; he's the heartbeat of a physical team. His combo skill generates Skill Points (SP) for the entire team, allowing everyone to use their powerful skills more frequently. He also provides valuable grouping (vortex) effects to cluster enemies for area attacks. He is considered essential for high-end physical team compositions.

Lifeng

★★★★★★ | Physical | Polearm | Control

Role: Physical Sub-DPS/Control.

Why He's Great: Lifeng excels at controlling the battlefield and amplifying physical damage. His skills apply "Vulnerable" stacks and "Physical Susceptibility," making enemies take significantly more physical damage from your entire team. Furthermore, his attacks accumulate Stagger value very quickly, knocking enemies down and creating safe windows for your team to attack. He's a fantastic partner for other physical damage dealers.

Pogranichnik vs. Lifeng?

• Choose Pogranichnik if your team struggles with skill uptime and needs better energy economy.
• Choose Lifeng if you want more crowd control, faster enemy staggers, and a straightforward damage amplifier for your main attacker.

 

Specialized Picks

Ember

★★★★★★ | Defender | Great Sword | Heat

Role: Defender/Tank.

Consideration: Ember is a sturdy Defender who provides shields and damage mitigation. In the current state of the game, where healing items are plentiful and combat difficulty is manageable for most content, a pure defensive specialist is often less prioritized than characters who bring damage or key support. She's a viable pick if you personally enjoy a tanky playstyle or consistently struggle with survival, but she offers less overall value for team development than the DPS and support options.

Ardelia

★★★★★★ | Supporter | Arts Unit | Nature

Do not use your selector on Ardelia. She is given to all players for free on the third day of login rewards. Using the precious selector on a character you automatically get would be a major waste.

Role: That said, Ardelia is an excellent Operator worth mentioning. She is a fantastic healer who can fit into any team composition, thanks to her abilities that apply both Physical and Arts Susceptibility (increasing damage taken from both types). She's a cornerstone of many team builds.

 

Conclusion

Remember: "Personal preference trumps all"! If you have a particular character you love, follow your heart and choose them—having fun is what matters most!This time, the developers have shown real sincerity by both gifting cards and rolling out optimizations, making it clear they are fully committed to ensuring everyone enjoys their time on Talos-II! I hope this guide has been helpful to all you administrators. Wishing everyone the best of luck with your pulls—may your self-selects land perfectly, and may we meet again on the exploration trails of Talos-II!

Stay tuned with LDshop for more Arknights: Endfield guides! We'll continue to provide the latest strategies and character builds. For a smoother journey, we also offer safe and discounted top-up services with exclusive benefits.