ARKNIGHTS ENDFIELD 1.3 UPDATE OVERVIEW
Table of Contents
The Arknights Endfield 1.3 version update is split into two clear phases, and the official “Sketches of Lost Heirlooms” content overview confirms a denser release schedule than anything Endfield has shipped since launch. Phase 1 lands on June 5, 2026 at 12:00 PM (UTC+8) with the Mi Fu banner, and Phase 2 follows on June 26, 2026 at 12:00 PM (UTC+8) with the Camille banner, a brand-new exploration area, a second Chartered Headhunting cycle, a fresh Arsenal Issue, and the first proper window of the new Contingency Contract endgame mode. If you’ve been waiting for the patch where the action economy resets, the new area unlocks a new node economy, and the operator roster pivots away from a single-element meta, this is the one.
Below is the full breakdown extracted from the official version content overview — every side mission, every banner, every Arsenal Issue, every limited-time event, and the Contingency Contract opening window — with the contextual guidance the rest of the patch cycle coverage hasn’t had time to write yet. Use it as a checklist for the next month of Talos-II operations.
Part 1 of the Sketches of Lost Heirlooms version content overview — side missions, the new Sword Vault Dale area, narrative events for Mi Fu and Camille, and the Phase 1 / Phase 2 Chartered Headhunting schedule.
TL;DR — Key Points
- The 1.3 version update is a two-phase release — Phase 1 on June 5, 2026 at 12:00 PM (UTC+8), Phase 2 on June 26, 2026 at 12:00 PM (UTC+8) — separated by a single major version cycle, not concurrent.
- Two new 6★ operators headline the patch — Mi Fu (Physical Guard, greatsword + gauntlets, Crush / Vulnerability kit) anchors Phase 1, and Camille (Fire Vanguard, SP battery, Heat infliction, Ultimate Energy enabler) anchors Phase 2.
- Sword Vault Dale is the new explorable area, a Xianxia / Wuxia-themed region unlockable by completing the Deep Vaulted Steel side mission during the patch window.
- Two Arsenal Issues open back-to-back: Scarlet Knot Issue features the Amaranthine Tassel greatsword (Mi Fu signature) and runs for 3 banners; Crimson Hued Issue features the Blessing of Lustrous Carmine polearm (Camille signature) and also runs for 3 banners.
- Contingency Contract: Re-Ignition Experimental Operation opens on June 19, 2026 at 12:00 (server time) and ends on June 26, 2026 at 04:00 (server time) — the first live CC challenge window of the patch.
- Two limited-time events bracket Phase 2 — Contingency Readiness (June 12 – June 19) hands out Sanity Permits, Emergency Sanity Boosters, Wuling Artificing Catalysts, and Coolant Gel, and the Search for Sword Vault Dale guide event feeds Mark of Perseverance rewards.
- Free Headhunting Permits are baked into both Phase 1 and Phase 2 — the One with Her Fists and Peacekeeper’s Nocturne sign-in events drop 5 HH Permits each, enough to convert into discounted pulls on the matching banner.
What the Official Version Content Overview Actually Shows
Hypergryph published the version content overview in two parts: Part 1 covers the side mission track, the new area, the narrative events, and both Chartered Headhunting banners; Part 2 covers the two Arsenal Issues, the limited-time Contingency Readiness event, the Contingency Contract challenge event, and the Search for Sword Vault Dale guide event. Read together, they describe a patch that is denser than 1.2 — there is content landing every week between June 5 and June 26.
The release shape is deliberate. Phase 1 is a banner-and-area push: Mi Fu, Sword Vault Dale, and the new tutorial side mission. Phase 2 is an endgame-and-event push: Camille, Contingency Contract opening, Crimson Hued Issue, the second wave of CC rotations, and the limited-time sanity event that refunds the heaviest grind steps of the cycle. The patch rewards players who plan their week around when the new content unlocks, not just who they pull for.
For the broader livestream context — kit breakdowns, banner reviews, and the savings framework for the 1.3 → 1.4 transition — see our Sketches of Lost Heirlooms livestream recap.
Important Side Mission Available
01 — Important Side Mission Available is the lead item on Part 1, and it doubles as the unlock path to the new area.
Deep Vaulted Steel — Unlocks Sword Vault Dale
The [Deep Vaulted Steel] side mission unlocks the new area [Wuling – Sword Vault Dale]. The phrasing matters: this is the new area’s gate, not a parallel quest. If you want Sword Vault Dale content, you run Deep Vaulted Steel first. There is no shortcut.
Dense Macabre — Camille’s Narrative Event
The [Dense Macabre] side mission ties directly into the Camille storyline. Per the version content overview, Seš’ga sends a message requesting support for Camille the Agaš’me-kanaz, who is investigating a case involving a missing blood sample. The Sarkaz “do not call for favors lightly” — the framing positions this as a high-stakes introduction to the second 6★ operator of the patch.
| Event | Window | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| [Deep Vaulted Steel] | After version release — before version update maintenance | Unlocks [Wuling – Sword Vault Dale] |
| [Dense Macabre] | June 26, 2026 at 12:00 (server time) — before version update maintenance | [Oroberyls], [Elementary Cognitive Carrier], [Protohedron], [Arms INSP Set] |
The Arms INSP Set is the only one of these rewards with a long-tail payoff. Oroberyls and the Cognitive Carrier are weekly-currency tier; Protohedron is a refining component. The INSP Set is the rare-event crafting material that doesn’t reappear on the standard shop rotation, so if you can only fully clear one of the two side missions, clear Dense Macabre for the INP Set pickup.
New Area: Wuling – Sword Vault Dale
02 — New Area Available is the second block on Part 1. The new explorable area is [Wuling – Sword Vault Dale], themed around the Xianxia / Wuxia cultivation aesthetic that was teased across the 1.3 livestream.
Sword Vault Dale is the first major region in Endfield that visually departs from the Wuling industrial-tech aesthetic. The splash on the version content overview shows a tall central pillar with flanking obelisk-structures, dense forest canopy, and a mist valley framing — closer to a cultivation sect’s mountain stronghold than anything we’ve seen in prior patch areas.
What to expect from the exploration loop:
- The new node economy that comes with a new area. Patch-over-patch, Endfield introduces a new gatherable or two alongside each new region.
- Mi Fu and Camille’s character quests are anchored here. The lore side of the patch lives in this area, not in the main story chapter (there is no new main story chapter in 1.3).
- Faction-flavored NPCs and side content consistent with prior area releases.
Narrative Events — Mi Fu and Camille
03 — Narrative Events is the third block on Part 1. Both new operators get full character events, and the rewards are identical between the two.
Mi Fu Narrative Event: A Fistful of Reflections
[A Fistful of Reflections] is Mi Fu’s event. Per the overview, Mi Fu invites the Endministrator to meet her at the Main Pillar Office. The Watchguard Captain is “not her usual calm self and actually looks a little worried — has something happened in Wuling?”
This is the lore bridge between the Wuling questline and the 1.3 patch. The Pillar Office is canonical Wuling infrastructure from prior patches, and the Watchguard Captain’s shift in tone is the signal that something has changed in Wuling’s political order since the Xiranite Dam climax.
Camille Narrative Event: Dense Macabre
[Dense Macabre] is Camille’s event, and it’s the more involved of the two. The event window is after [Sketches of Lost Heirlooms] version release — before version update maintenance, and the framing is the Agaš’me-kanaz blood-sample case mentioned in the side mission notes.
Reward Parity
| Event | Operator | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| A Fistful of Reflections | Mi Fu | [Oroberyls], [Elementary Cognitive Carrier], [Protohedron], [Arms INSP Set] |
| Dense Macabre | Camille | [Oroberyls], [Elementary Cognitive Carrier], [Protohedron], [Arms INSP Set] |
Both events feed the same reward pool. This is consistent with the 1.2 character event pattern — the same materials tied to the new character’s archetype.
Headhunting — Fists of No Regrets and Expunger of Sin
04 — Headhunting Available is the fourth block on Part 1, and it covers the two Chartered Headhunting banners that run back-to-back across the patch.
Phase 1: Fists of No Regrets — Mi Fu Banner
[Fists of No Regrets] Chartered Headhunting runs after the Sketches of Lost Heirlooms version release until June 26, 2026 at 11:59 (server time). The rate-up 6★ is Mi Fu.
The 6★ operator pool for this banner is:
| Pool Operators |
|---|
| Mi Fu (rate-up) |
| Zhuang Fangyi |
| Rossi |
| Ember |
| Lifeng |
| Ardelia |
| Last Rite |
| Pogranichnik |
While the banner is live, the [One with Her Fists] sign-in event drops x5 Headhunting Permits that you can exchange for the [One with Her Fists HH Permit] at a discount in the [AIC Quota Exchange]. The permits also unlock a discounted exchange path for the same HH Permit — this is the “free multi” the patch gives you if you log in daily through Phase 1.
The [Combat Drills] for [Fists of No Regrets] also unlock a trial run for Mi Fu during the banner window. Complete the specified stage with the preset trial team (Mi Fu included) to go to the [Event Center] and claim the rewards.
Phase 2: Expunger of Sin — Camille Banner
[Expunger of Sin] Chartered Headhunting runs from June 26, 2026 at 12:00 (server time) through the next banner cycle. The rate-up 6★ is Camille.
The 6★ operator pool is identical to the Fists of No Regrets roster with Camille added as the rate-up:
| Pool Operators |
|---|
| Camille (rate-up) |
| Mi Fu |
| Zhuang Fangyi |
| Rossi |
| Ember |
| Lifeng |
| Ardelia |
| Last Rite |
| Pogranichnik |
The [Peacekeeper’s Nocturne] sign-in event drops x5 Headhunting Permits during Expunger of Sin — same exchange mechanic, same AIC Quota Exchange discount path.
The same Combat Drills pattern applies: a preset trial team that includes Camille unlocks a stage that can be cleared for Event Center rewards.
Pity Continuity
This is the patch’s most-quoted question: does pity carry over from Fists of No Regrets to Expunger of Sin? Per the standard Endfield banner structure, no — pity is per-banner and does not carry. Plan your Oroberyl spend accordingly. Our Mi Fu & Camille pull strategy guide walks through the soft-pity and hard-pity math.
Arsenal Issues — Scarlet Knot and Crimson Hued
05 — Arsenal Issues Available is the first block on Part 2, and it covers the two weapon banners that bracket the patch.
Scarlet Knot Issue — Mi Fu’s Sig Banner
The [Scarlet Knot Issue] opens after the Sketches of Lost Heirlooms update and ends after 3 Chartered Headhunting banners, starting from [Fists of No Regrets]. The rate-up 6★ weapon is [Amaranthine Tassel (Greatsword)] — Mi Fu’s signature.
The full 6★ pool for Scarlet Knot:
| Weapon | Type |
|---|---|
| Amaranthine Tassel (rate-up) | Greatsword |
| Former Finery | Greatsword |
| Sundered Prince | Greatsword |
| Clannibal | Handcannon |
| Rapid Ascent | Sword |
| Detonation Unit | Arts Unit |
| Valiant | Polearm |
Crimson Hued Issue — Camille’s Sig Banner
The [Crimson Hued Issue] opens June 26, 2026 at 12:00 (server time) and ends after 3 Chartered Headhunting banners starting from [Expunger of Sin]. The rate-up 6★ weapon is [Blessing of Lustrous Carmine (Polearm)] — Camille’s signature.
The full 6★ pool for Crimson Hued:
| Weapon | Type |
|---|---|
| Blessing of Lustrous Carmine (rate-up) | Polearm |
| Valiant | Polearm |
| JET | Polearm |
| Clannibal | Handcannon |
| Thermite Cutter | Sword |
| Oblivion | Arts Unit |
| Exemplar | Greatsword |
Sig Weapon Read
The Scarlet Knot pool is Greatsword-heavy, which is consistent with Mi Fu’s role as a physical frontline. The Crimson Hued pool is Polearm-heavy, which lines up with Camille’s Heat Vanguard positioning. The shared 6★ weapons between the two pools are Clannibal (Handcannon) and Valiant (Polearm, only in Scarlet Knot) — the cross-pollination is limited, so pulling on one banner doesn’t meaningfully advance the other.
For more on how signature weapons compare to Battle Pass alternatives, our essence farming guide covers the underlying math.
Upcoming Events and Gameplay Modes
06 — Upcoming Events and Gameplay Modes is the second block on Part 2, and it covers the three limited-time / new-mode content drops.
Part 2 of the Sketches of Lost Heirlooms version content overview — Arsenal Issues, the Search for Sword Vault Dale guide event, Contingency Readiness, and the Contingency Contract challenge event opening.
Search for Sword Vault Dale — Guide Event
The [Search for Sword Vault Dale] Guide Event runs after the [Sketches of Lost Heirlooms] version release until June 26, 2026 at 12:00 (server time). Complete specified missions in the Sword Vault Dale area to receive Oroberyls and Mark of Perseverance.
This is the “exploration onboarding” event for the new area. The Mark of Perseverance reward is the same as the Wuling Super Chef event drop — it’s a stackable progression currency tied to a particular region, and the most efficient way to seed Sword Vault Dale’s progression is to clear this event in the first week of access.
Contingency Readiness — Limited-Time Event
The [Contingency Readiness] Limited-Time Event runs June 12, 2026 at 04:00 — June 19, 2026 at 04:00 (server time). During the event, complete specified missions every day to receive:
| Reward | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Sanity Usage Permit | Reset a sanity cooldown; high-value for catch-up |
| Emergency Sanity Booster | Refill sanity instantly; situational but extremely rare |
| Wuling Artificing Catalyst | Bulk-reroll artifacts for Wuling gear builds |
| Coolant Gel | Essences optimization material |
The framing line on the overview is the giveaway: “Before that Gift is delivered, please be prepared, Endministrator.” This is a pre-CC event — Hypergryph is handing out the catch-up materials that the hardest grind-heavy players will need to keep pace with the new endgame mode opening the following week.
Contingency Contract: Re-Ignition Experimental Operation
[Contingency Contract: Re-Ignition Experimental Operation] Challenge Event opens June 19, 2026 at 12:00 (server time) and the Secret Sanctuary availability window runs June 19, 2026 at 12:00 – June 26, 2026 at 04:00 (server time).
This is the patch’s headline endgame addition. Per the overview:
- Select any combination of Test Criteria before starting the combat challenge
- Complete event mission goals to earn rewards including [Portrait: Ancient Contract], [Portrait Frame: Contingent Inscription], and [Vitrified Coins]
- Spend Vitrified Coins at the [Secret Sanctuary] to exchange for great rewards including [Sticker: Contingency Contract], [Oroberyls], and [Advanced Progression Selection Crate I]
The Test Criteria system is the player-curated difficulty modifier pattern that the original Arknights CC pioneered. Our Contingency Contract analysis and CC prep guide cover the modifier math and the recommended investment floor for clearing the lower reward tiers.
Player Type Verdicts — Who Should Engage With What
For the Casual Player
- Clear [Deep Vaulted Steel] early to unlock Sword Vault Dale — the new area is the easiest on-ramp to all the patch’s exploration content.
- Run [Contingency Readiness] every day during the June 12–19 window. The daily mission structure is the lightest grind in the patch.
- Pull one of Mi Fu or Camille. The other is a skip unless your roster is deep.
For the Mid-Game Player
- Hit the Search for Sword Vault Dale guide event on day one to seed the Mark of Perseverance stockpile for the new area.
- Clear both narrative events (A Fistful of Reflections, Dense Macabre) for the Arms INSP Set pickups.
- Save 1,200+ Oroberyl for the 1.4 Arcane banner — the teaser was specific enough to warrant a dedicated savings bucket.
For the Whale / Hyper-Engaged Player
- Both Mi Fu and Camille. The triple-Vanguard frontline tease alone justifies Camille; Mi Fu is the cleanest physical Guard since Rossi.
- Push CC to its peak modifier stack and start theory-crafting solo runs starting June 19.
- Audit your AIC. The 1.4 AIC overhaul will retro-actively reward whoever has clean, modular pipelines today.
For the Returning Player
- Skip both 1.3 banners unless your roster is genuinely thin in physical or fire.
- The Contingency Readiness event is the highest-value re-entry point: free Sanity Permits, Emergency Sanity Boosters, and the Wuling Artificing Catalyst let you catch up on progression in a single week.
- Save for 1.4. The Arcane + idol operator + AIC overhaul + Rooted Realm package is the bigger event.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Version 1.3
- Skipping Deep Vaulted Steel. Sword Vault Dale is gated behind this side mission. If you only clear one quest in the first 48 hours of the patch, clear this one.
- Missing the Contingency Readiness daily window. The event is short — one full week. The Sanity Permit and Emergency Sanity Booster rewards are the patch’s best catch-up tools, and they only drop on daily mission completions.
- Pulling Mi Fu “just in case” without a vulnerability composition. Without vulnerability stacks driving her damage payoff, she is competing with operators you already own.
- Skipping Camille because Vanguards “are not the carry.” SP and Ultimate Energy support has the highest team-DPS multiplier in the current meta. Camille is a force multiplier on the carry you already have.
- Stacking CC modifiers for max difficulty on Day 1. The reward floor is at the bottom. Hit the floor, then ramp. Do not brick your weekly drops chasing prestige.
- Not signing into One with Her Fists and Peacekeeper’s Nocturne. The sign-in events drop free Headhunting Permits that you can convert to discounted pulls. Missing a day of sign-in is a wasted HH Permit you already earned.
Watch List — What Could Change This Plan
- CC modifier list and reward thresholds. The full Test Criteria list and Vitrified Coin economy numbers will be visible in-game when the challenge event opens on June 19. If the floor is lower than expected, push earlier; if higher, bank the savings for the next CC season.
- Camille’s exact SP-per-second numbers. A flat SP/sec figure substantially above Akekuri’s pushes him from “good Heat support” to “mandatory Heat Vanguard” — that affects skip-or-pull math for non-Laevatain owners.
- Mi Fu’s signature weapon multiplier. Early leaks suggest a ~25-30% uplift over Battle Pass weapons, in line with the Lone Barge / Sunderblade range. If beta testing confirms a higher uplift, sig becomes higher priority.
- 1.4 Arcane operator type confirmation. A confirmed Arts-element Arcane release pulls savings priority hard toward 1.4. A Physical-element Arcane keeps Mi Fu’s value intact.
Final Read
Version 1.3 is a systems patch wearing a banner’s clothing, and the official content overview makes the case in two phases. Phase 1 is the Mi Fu + Sword Vault Dale push — a new frontline damage archetype, a new region to explore, and the standard “unlock the area, run the side missions” content backbone. Phase 2 is the Camille + Contingency Contract push — the patch’s first limited Heat Vanguard, the patch’s first real CC challenge window, and the patch’s first proper end-of-cycle endgame event.
The two Arsenals bracket the patch nicely. Scarlet Knot Issue runs for 3 banners starting from Fists of No Regrets and feeds the Greatsword carry market. Crimson Hued Issue runs for 3 banners starting from Expunger of Sin and feeds the Polearm support market. The reward overlap is minimal, which is the right call — pulling for Mi Fu’s sig doesn’t help you get Camille’s sig and vice versa.
Pick your shots. Hit the QoL floor. Push CC to your skill ceiling. Watch the 1.4 silhouettes.
FAQ
When does the Arknights Endfield 1.3 version update release?
The patch is a two-phase release. Phase 1 launches June 5, 2026 at 12:00 PM (UTC+8) with the Mi Fu banner and the Deep Vaulted Steel side mission opening. Phase 2 launches June 26, 2026 at 12:00 PM (UTC+8) with the Camille banner, the Crimson Hued Issue, and the new Contingency Contract challenge window opening.
How do I unlock Sword Vault Dale?
Complete the [Deep Vaulted Steel] side mission during the patch window. Sword Vault Dale is gated behind this quest — there is no shortcut or alternate unlock path.
Is there a new main story chapter in 1.3?
No. The 1.3 version update delivers story content through the A Fistful of Reflections and Dense Macabre narrative events, both anchored to the new Sword Vault Dale area. The next main story chapter is expected in 1.4 or 1.5.
What’s the difference between Fists of No Regrets and Expunger of Sin?
Both are Chartered Headhunting banners with the same 6★ operator pool, but the rate-up 6★ differs. Fists of No Regrets (Phase 1) rate-ups Mi Fu. Expunger of Sin (Phase 2) rate-ups Camille. Pity does not carry over between the two banners.
When does Contingency Contract: Re-Ignition open?
The challenge event opens on June 19, 2026 at 12:00 (server time), with the Secret Sanctuary availability window running June 19 at 12:00 – June 26 at 04:00 (server time). This is the patch’s first live CC window.
What are the free Headhunting Permits from sign-in events?
During Fists of No Regrets, the One with Her Fists sign-in event drops x5 Headhunting Permits that can be exchanged at a discount in the AIC Quota Exchange for the matching HH Permit. During Expunger of Sin, the Peacekeeper’s Nocturne sign-in event drops the same. Each sign-in event lasts for the duration of its corresponding banner.
Should I pull for Mi Fu’s or Camille’s signature weapon?
Sig weapons in Endfield typically deliver ~25-30% damage uplift over Battle Pass alternatives — meaningful but not decisive. F2P players should default to Battle Pass weapons unless heavily buffered. The Scarlet Knot Issue runs 3 banners starting from Fists of No Regrets, so you have the full Phase 1 + Phase 2 window to roll for Amaranthine Tassel.
What’s the reward floor for Contingency Contract?
Per the official overview, the reward structure distributes drops across the Test Criteria selection. The Vitrified Coins at the Secret Sanctuary can be exchanged for Sticker: Contingency Contract, Oroberyls, and Advanced Progression Selection Crate I. The full reward tier should be reachable without stacking maximum Test Criteria — consistent with the original Arknights CC design philosophy that the reward floor is at the bottom of the difficulty curve.
What does the Contingency Readiness event drop?
Daily completions during June 12 – June 19, 2026 drop Sanity Usage Permits, Emergency Sanity Boosters, Wuling Artificing Catalysts, and Coolant Gel. The Sanity Permits and Emergency Boosters are the highest-value pickups — both are rare catch-up tools that don’t reappear on the standard shop rotation.
Is there any reason to engage with the Search for Sword Vault Dale guide event?
Yes — the Mark of Perseverance reward is the same progression currency that fed Wuling’s regional development, and the new Sword Vault Dale area is the most efficient way to spend it during the patch window. Run the guide event daily to seed the stockpile before other players finish the same content.
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