1.0 ULTIMATE GUIDE: FACTORY META
Since its global debut on January 22, 2026, Arknights: Endfield has completely disrupted the gacha scene. While many expected a direct successor to the tower defense classic, what we actually got is a massive 3D action RPG that is honestly about 70% industrial simulation and 30% combat.
The community has already embraced the chaos, birthing the viral “Johnny Sins” meme. Because the game forces the player character (the Endministrator) to be an electrician, miner, trader, gardener, and plumber all at once, you’re not just a hero—you’re a multidisciplinary gig-worker trying to keep Talos-II from falling apart.
If you’re looking to master the current 1.0 meta, from the “18 Buck Capsule” factory setup to conquering the brutal Agony mode in the Umbral Monument, this is the only guide you need.
1. The Industrial Meta: Why Your Factory is the Real Main Character
In Endfield, your progress isn’t just about levels; it’s about throughput. The community has quickly realized that the Automated Industry Complex (AIC) is the heartbeat of your account.
The “18 Buck Capsule A” Setup
The current “gold standard” for factory optimization targets an output of 18 Buck Capsule [A] units and 18 HC Valley Batteries per minute. To pull this off, you need to hit Regional Development Level 11 to ensure your mining nodes are producing at maximum capacity.
- The Secret to Power: Use “Thermal Banks” to quintuple your starting power. A well-fed packaging unit using Tier 1 batteries can maintain four Thermal Banks at once, generating 880 power units.
- The Bottleneck: Conveyor belts are hard-capped at a flow rate of 0.5 unit/s. This means you can’t just speed up your lines; you have to expand horizontally. If you need more output, you need more machines and more ports, not faster belts.
2. Combat Meta: Mastering Stagger and the 1.0 Tier List
While your factory runs in the background, the combat requires precision. The “one-button mash” complaints from the early game disappear once you reach high-level content where the Imbalance mechanic becomes mandatory.
The Imbalance System
Every enemy has a white stagger gauge. The final hit of your basic attack chain (the “Dive Attack”) deals massive stagger damage. Once that bar is full, the enemy enters an “Imbalanced” state where they take increased damage and become vulnerable to cinematic Execution finishers.
Version 1.0 Top-Tier Operators
| Tier | Operator | Element | Why They Win |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS | Laevatain | Heat | The absolute queen of AoE. Her Combustion synergy melts waves instantly. |
| SS | Ardelia | Nature | The best healer/support. Her “Friendly Presence” is vital for high-chip-damage stages. |
| SS | Yvonne | Cryo | The ultimate single-target boss killer. |
| S | Last Rite | Cryo | The best F2P DPS. Scales incredibly well in mono-element teams. |
Meta Update: Fluorite received a last-minute buff in 1.0, adding an extra infliction to her Ultimate, making her a viable pick for Nature and Cryo teams.
3. Surviving Umbral Monument (Agony Mode)
The Umbral Monument is where the training wheels come off. Unlocked at Authority Level 30, it features Agony stages that prohibit the use of tactical items like healing devices or turrets.
The “Damage Sharing” Hack
The most important discovery for Agony mode is the hidden Damage Link mechanic.
- How it works: In many stages, enemies share a single HP pool.
- The Strategy: Stay near ranged enemies (like crossbowmen) to force melee units to group up around you.
- The Payoff: By hitting them all at once with AoE attacks, you deal double or triple damage to the shared health bar.
4. The “Etching” Economy: Why Artifact RNG is Dead
The most praised feature among veterans is the Etching system for gear. Unlike other gachas where you can spend months farming for a single crit-rate piece, Endfield gear has fixed stats.
- Deterministic Progress: You essentially trade a “never-ending RNG nightmare” for a “guaranteed but slow” grind.
- The 11-Day Cycle: It takes an average of exactly 11 days of focused farming to fully max out a character’s gear.
- The Math: You need approximately 90 essences to max one item (+9) and roughly 1,800 essences to fully kit a four-operator squad.
5. Roadmap: What’s Coming in Version 1.1?
Leaks point to the Wuling region expansion as the next big update, likely dropping around March 10, 2026.
- Tangtang (6-Star Nature Handcannon): Expected to be the first major Wuling character. Her kit likely uses Corrosion to shred defenses.
- Rossi (6-Star Scorch Sword): The “Little Red Riding Hood” from the Valley IV story. She is rumored to be the missing sub-DPS piece for Laevatain teams.
FAQ Section (People Also Ask)
How do I get more pull currency?
Focus on clearing Authority Level rewards and the Umbral Monument. You can also use codes like ENDFIELDGIFT and ENDFIELD4PC for an immediate boost.