VERSION 1.1: WULING EXPANSION & OPERATOR BANNERS | ENDFIELD
The March 1st Dev Log Program has officially unveiled Arknights: Endfield’s first major expansion. Version 1.1: “Old Deep Water Dies by Rising Tide” arrives March 12, 2026, bringing a massive regional expansion, two new 6-star Operators, critical QoL improvements, and a viral real-world marketing campaign. This comprehensive breakdown covers everything you need to know.
TL;DR - Key Points
- Wuling City expansion unlocks east of Qingbo Bailey with ring-shaped lake basin and facility core hub
- Enemy HP rebalance reduces spongy health pools between levels 10-50 for smoother combat flow
- Tangtang (6-star Nature Striker) headlines Phase 1 with Corrosion-forward Handcannon playstyle
- Rossi (6-star Heat Guard) converts Heat pressure into kill windows, synergizing with Laevatain teams
- Free 6-star selector via “Break the Siege” mission—Pogranichnik and Lifeng are top picks, avoid Ardelia
- SC vs HC battery debate intensifies with HC farms producing 1,100 power per unit via Sandleaf loops
- Multiplicative attribute formula discovered: flat stats now outvalue ATK% in endgame builds
- Satellite UID event runs until March 4—register to have your UID engraved on a space-bound model
Wuling City Expansion: Regional Growth
Version 1.1 unlocks a massive new territory east of the current Qingbo Bailey anchor point. Players will navigate a “right-side coastline” that transitions into dense forest zones before reaching a distinctive ring-shaped lake basin. This geographic landmark serves as the gateway to the region’s industrial heart.
The Facility Core
At the center of Wuling lies a massive, rectangular “facility core” structure. This installation functions as the primary hub for high-tier material processing, offering new crafting opportunities and resource refinement capabilities. Early reports suggest this location will become essential for endgame economy optimization.
Navigation Updates
Exploration receives two significant upgrades:
- Zipline Mini-Map: A dedicated mini-map now displays during ziplining, improving spatial awareness during high-speed traversal
- AIC Construction Outside Core Areas: Players can now build AIC facilities beyond designated Core Areas, expanding factory planning options
Operator Banners: Tangtang, Rossi & Free 6-Star Selector
The “Zeroth Directive” banner cycle concludes with two powerhouse Operators entering the pool. Here’s your tactical breakdown.
Tangtang (6-Star Nature Striker/Caster)
The Supreme Chief of Qingbo Stockade headlines Phase 1. Tangtang utilizes a Handcannon with a “Corrosion-forward” playstyle, applying Nature-coded pressure to soften targets before executing a massive physical “cash-out” burst. Her kit rewards players who understand damage window timing and elemental stacking.
Key Strengths:
- Sustained Corrosion pressure for resistance shredding
- High burst potential when Corrosion stacks are consumed
- Strong synergy with existing Nature supports like Gilberta
Rossi (6-Star Heat Guard)
Wulfgard’s younger sister joins as an aggressive on-field threat designed to convert Heat pressure into clean kill windows. Rossi excels in Laevatain-centric fire teams, amplifying the Heat archetypes that have dominated early meta discussions.
Key Strengths:
- Converts accumulated Heat into damage multipliers
- On-field presence enables reactive playstyles
- Natural pairing with Laevatain’s AoE Heat generation
6-Star Designation Selection Permit
Every player completing the “Break the Siege” mission receives a free 6-star selector permit in their mailbox. Choose wisely:
| Operator | Recommendation | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Pogranichnik | Top Pick | High SP generation and energy economy for Physical teams |
| Lifeng | Recommended | Physical team damage amplification specialist |
| Ardelia | Avoid | Already provided free as Day 3 login reward |
Blueprint Economy: SC vs HC Battery Debate
The community’s factory obsession has crystallized around one question: SC (Blue) or HC (Purple) batteries? The math is closer than you might expect.
The Case for SC Batteries
SC batteries require significantly less energy to produce, offering higher net margins when trading output for Stock Bills. For players prioritizing quick turnaround and consistent income, SC remains the efficient choice. The lower production threshold makes SC accessible earlier in Regional Development progression.
The Case for HC Batteries
HC batteries demand more complex construction—often requiring “Sandleaf loops”—but deliver superior raw power output. An efficient HC battery farm produces 1,100 power per unit, enough to power an entire region while generating sellable excess. The investment ceiling is higher, but so is the payoff.
| Metric | SC Battery | HC Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Power Output | Moderate | 1,100 per unit |
| Production Complexity | Simple | Requires Sandleaf loops |
| Net Margin | Higher percentage | Higher absolute value |
Modular Layout Trends
Players are adopting standardized “modular” designs emphasizing “equal width to unloaders” to prevent belt clogging. This approach allows easy restructuring without disrupting AIC flow. Popular layouts are shared on community platforms like EndfieldTools for quick implementation.
Theorycrafting: Multiplicative Scaling & Hyperdomain
For the hardcore community, the mathematical architecture of Endfield has become the new frontier.
The Multiplicative Attack Formula
Theorycrafters have identified that “Attribute Bonuses” from Intellect, Strength, Will, and Agility apply as a separate multiplier after all other calculations. The formula for the attribute bonus B is:
B = 1 + 0.005 × MAIN + 0.002 × SEC
This result then scales your final output:
ATK_final = ((Operator_base + Weapon_base) × Percentage_bonus) × B
Implication: Flat attribute points now outvalue pure ATK% in optimized builds. The meta has shifted toward stacking MAIN attribute stats rather than chasing percentage modifiers.
The Hyperdomain Discovery
Datamining has revealed a hidden combat attribute called Hyperdomain. Several upcoming enemies (bull, horse, and crane-headed types) are linked to this damage type, and the existing character Chalk already utilizes it.
Players are “pre-building” teams with Hyperdomain resistance in anticipation of Version 1.1’s harder content. This preparation strategy mirrors the early Heat resistance stocking seen before the Laevatain banner.
Voyage to the Stars: Satellite UID Event
Hypergryph is taking the sci-fi theme literally with the “Voyage to the Stars” event.
How to Participate
Until March 4, 2026, players can register their in-game UIDs on the official website. Registered UIDs will be engraved on a physical “Protocol-Originium” model, which will then launch into space aboard a Chinese satellite.
This viral campaign has generated massive social media engagement, with players joking about “teaching aliens how to duel” while others applaud the unprecedented marketing scale.
Lore Watch: The Matrioshka Brain
The lore community is buzzing about Originium as a “simulated reality” or “data-storage” medium created by the precursors. The trending “Matrioshka Brain” theory suggests the Endministrator’s act of seeding Originium on Talos-II may be more complex than simple salvation—potentially creating systemic dependency rather than liberation.
This theory gains traction from the game’s recurring themes of data, memory, and the nature of consciousness within the Endfield narrative.
Looking Ahead
Version 1.1 represents Endfield’s first true expansion, addressing launch feedback while adding substantial new content. The combination of regional growth, meta-shifting Operators, and quality-of-life improvements signals Hypergryph’s commitment to iterative development.
Prepare your Stock Bills for Tangtang, finalize your factory layouts for HC battery production, and don’t forget to register your UID before March 4. The tide is rising—make sure you’re ready to ride it.