Day One Starter Guide: How to Crush the Early Game in Arknights: Endfield

Arknights: Endfield throws a lot at you on day one. Real-time combat, exploration, automated industry, base building......it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and accidentally slow your own progress. The good news? You don’t need to understand every system to get a smooth start. If you want to avoid bricking your account or wasting resources in the first 24 hours, this is the only guide you need.

Here is your rapid-fire Day 1 starter guide.

Push the Main Story First (Don’t Get Distracted)

On day one, main story progression beats everything else.

Story chapters unlock:

Core AIC features

More Outpost options

Essential crafting and production nodes

Exploration is tempting, but roaming too much before your AIC is online just wastes time. If you ever wonder “Should I explore or push story?” Push story.

Your priority is to rush the Main Story until you clear Chapter 3. Why? Because Chapter 3 unlocks the full potential of the AIC (Automated Industry Complex). Before that, you are manually mining rocks like a caveman.

Once you unlock the AIC, you can automate the production of EXP materials and gear. If you spend too much time exploring early on, you’ll find yourself under-leveled and broke on materials.

 

AIC Management: The "Invisible" Main Character

The factory system isn't just a side game; it is literally how you get stronger. If your factory sucks, your team sucks.

Your first priority is setting up Power Poles and Relay Towers. You cannot build advanced production lines without a stable power grid.

Don't Build in Corrosion Zones: This is a huge "noob trap." Do not place your Geothermal Generators in corrosion zones. They will lose ~2% durability every hour and eventually blow up. It is a nightmare to repair. Place them in safe zones and run wires to the dangerous areas.

Blueprints are Your Best Friend: Don't stress about making a "pretty" factory on Day 1. Use the Blueprint System to copy functional layouts for mining and refining lines.

 

Learn One Combat Rule: Break Stagger, Then Burst

You don’t need to master every combat system on day one—just understand Stagger.

Normal attacks and heavy attacks build Stagger

When the Stagger bar fills, enemies collapse

This is your damage window

Early-game combat flow:

Build combos with basic attacks

Use heavy attacks to spike Stagger

Dump skills when enemies are staggered

This alone will make fights feel smoother and faster, especially against elites.

For a deeper look at how Endfield’s combat systems evolved during testing, you can check out our detailed Beta Test II breakdown here.

 

Build a Small Core Team First

Early on, your resources are only enough to support a limited number of Operators. Instead of raising everyone at once, focus on a single core squad that covers essential role, frontline durability, consistent ranged damage, and basic utility.

Lower-rarity Operators perform perfectly well in the early chapters thanks to simpler kits and faster power spikes. With proper role coverage and positioning, even a low-rarity team can clear main story content smoothly.

Recommended Starter Team

Endministrator

Snowshine

Perlica

Wulfgard

 

The Gacha: Do Not Waste Your Pulls

Max Out the Newcomer Banner: This is your first priority. You are guaranteed a 6-Star Operator within the first 50 pulls. On top of that, you get at least one 5-Star every 10 pulls, and the drop rate for 4-Stars is very generous. This ensures you have a full, solid team roster right out of the gate. Do not skip this.

Understand the "Pity" System:

Soft Pity (80 Pulls): You have a high chance (usually 50/50) to get the rate-up character here.

Hard Pity (120 Pulls): This is your safety net. If you have terrible luck, you are guaranteed the character here.

Don't Whale for Weapons (Just Farm Them): The weapon system is unique. You don't need to spend premium currency directly on the weapon banner.

Once you save up 2980 Quota, you can do a 10-pull on the weapon banner.

You are guaranteed a 6-Star Weapon every 40 pulls.

Strategy: Just focus on getting your Operators.

 

Conclusion

With the right early priorities, Arknights: Endfield becomes far easier, and far more enjoyable to grow into. A strong foundation in team building, automation, and resource planning will carry you smoothly into the mid game.

If you want reliable updates, practical guides, and ongoing Endfield support, LDShop is a great place to stay informed. Spend less time preparing, and more time exploring Talos-II.